Credit: DC / Warner Bros.It’s hard to believe that Batman is shy of 90. Not the character himself, of course, but the franchise, which has given us everything from comics to merchandise, animated shows to live-action ones, tie-in novels to video games, and feature-length films to theatrical releases.
That long, storied history is also teeming with countless iterations of the Dark Knight and all the supporting characters, from friends to foes. Then there are all the different stories themselves. But among the most iconic versions is Tim Burton’s Batman (1989) universe.
Tim Burton’s Batman (1989) Universe
Batman (1989) stars Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne, alongside Michael Gough as Alfred Pennyworth, Kim Basinger as Vicki Vale, Robert Wuhl as Alexander Knox, Pat Hingle as Jim Gordon, Billy Dee Williams as Harvey Dent, and Jack Nicholson as Jack Napier/The Joker.
Batman Returns (1992), also directed by Burton, sees Keaton down the cape and cowl again, this time with a supporting cast that includes Michelle Pfeiffer as Selina Kyle/Catwoman, Christopher Walken as Max Shreck, and Danny DeVito as Oswald Cobblepot/The Penguin.
While Keaton reprised his role in the DC Extended Universe’s The Flash (2023), as that film is a Multiverse adventure, it is not a continuation that takes place within the Burtonverse.
There are, however, four other installments set within Burton’s Batman (1989) universe — the Batman ’89 comic books, Shadows (2021) and Echoes (2023), and the two new novels, Batman: Resurrection (2024) and Batman: Revolution (2025), by John Jackson Miller.
A Burtonverse Character Returns
We will likely get a third book in the Miller/Penguin Random House series; however, it remains to be seen whether the Burton/Keaton universe will return elsewhere. That said, an upcoming Batman installment releasing this year is using several elements of Batman ’89.
The upcoming third-person, open-world game Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, from developer TT Games and publisher Warner Bros. Games, draws upon the character’s decades-long history, blending multiple different eras and interpretations into a single story.
In a behind-the-scenes video shared last year (below), DC Studios’ co-CEO James Gunn, who appears alongside key creatives, explains how the game calls upon many versions of Batman from across media. “One of the many great things about LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is that it manifests all these different elements of Batman that we’ve loved over the years,” adding that the “game is an absolute celebration of everything Batman.”
Related: Confirmed: Michael Keaton’s Batman Will Return, as Burton’s Canceled Third Film Gets Second Chance
Proof that this game is a melting pot of all things Batman can be seen in the trailers, gameplay overviews, and the “Heroes & Villains” trailer.
While the Caped Crusader himself is inspired by multiple iterations, from Michael Keaton’s portrayal to Robert Pattinson’s interpretation from The Batman (2022), other characters, such as Catwoman and Bane, are each seemingly inspired by a single version, with the feline femme fatale borrowing from Michelle Pfeiffer from Batman Returns, and the musclebound Rogues’ Gallery villain inspired by Tom Hardy as seen in The Dark Knight Rises (2012).
But while Legacy of the Dark Knight‘s Joker is based on Heath Ledger’s Clown Prince of Gotham from The Dark Knight (2008), a new clip for the game also frames the character as an homage to Jack Nicholson’s equally iconic turn in Batman (1989), as it re-creates the museum scene from that film while Partyman by Prince plays. Watch the new trailer below:
Related: Michael Keaton’s Batman Officially Returns, as Lost Third Film Could Finally Get Release
The Legacy of the Dark Knight might be a love letter to the entire Batman franchise, but it also feels like it simultaneously reboots several notable entries, particularly in film. So far, we’ve seen the game play homage to Batman (1989), Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, and The Batman. As such, there are likely many more surprises in store for Bat-fans.
The voice actor behind The Joker in the game is unknown. Bruce Wayne/Batman is voiced by Shai Matheson (Until Dawn) and Bane is voiced by Matt Berry (The IT Crowd).
When Can I Play Legacy of the Dark Knight?
“Legacy of the Dark Knight” will be released on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S on May 29, 2026.
“Are you ready to build the legacy of the Dark Knight and protect Gotham City™? Prepare your Batarangs and get ready to suit up in 2026,” the official description on Lego.com reads.
“Become the Dark Knight in an open-world LEGO action adventure from TT Games, the award-winning studio behind LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga™. Battle Gotham City’s most notorious Super-Villains and relive the journey of Batman™ from origin to legend – packed with iconic moments and signature LEGO humor.”
For more information about the game, check out the official website.
Will you be playing Legacy of the Dark Knight? Would you like to see the Batman ’89 universe continue in other media? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!