Pee-Wee Herman was the reason Tim Burton directed Batman!
Warner Bros. hired Tim Burton to direct Batman due to the financial success of Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure. Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure grossed $40 million worldwide. The film was Tim Burton’s full length debut as director and starred Paul Reubens, who co-wrote the movie’s script.
Reubens and the producers hired Burton to direct the film after being impressed with Burton’s films Vincent and Frankenweenie. Though, Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure received mixed reviews, it was nominated for Young Artist Award and was given a sequel. Due to the financial success of Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure in 1985 and the 1988 film Beetlejuice, Warner Bros. hired Burton in 1989 to direct Batman, starring Michael Keaton. Batman grossed more than $400 million and set a new record. Others starring in the film were Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger, and Robert
