Every couple of months or so, I end up at some party where a group of nerds debates who the real ‘Batman’ is. Is it Christian Bale? Michael Keaton? I don’t know, and it’s probably my least favorite conversation, next to food justice/something your cat did/Israel. The trailer for Starring Adam West, however, actually introduces something new to the dialogue I dread to dialogue.
West, who starred in the 1960’s television series, is one of the earliest iterations of Batman, and the most famous. From Batman to Family Guy, we tend to think of West as a pretty successful (i.e. rich) dude. But as the trailer demonstrates, there was a period of time in West’s life when he actually had to make a living doing Batman impersonations. These could mean anything from appearing at a children’s birthday party, to crashing your car (and risking your life) for a celebrity daredevil show.
If that doesn’t depress you enough, there’s even a shot of hairless West in some sort of velour tracksuit looking sad with his nipples hanging out. Wanna give up? Put a tracksuit on.
While it’s well known that Hollywood fails its actors, sometimes it’s harder to see when it disappoints one of its really big ones. West, like Batman himself, must’ve been seen as indestructible: wealthy, stoic, untouchable. Flawless. It’s one thing to struggle as a young actor, it’s another to suffer as a former television superhero actor. Nobody really understands how you fell, but they all kinda/sorta think – it’s your fault. From the website:
In 1966, Adam West was on top of the world. The farm boy from Walla Walla was on a meteoric rise to fame as the star of the ABC series Batman. But after three seasons, the series was cancelled, leaving West typecast as the caped crusader. But Adam West never gave up. Through good years and bad he continued to follow his passion, pursue his craft, and fight his way back. Starring Adam West is the story of a Hollywood survivor, a family man, and the loyal fans who will stop at nothing to see their super hero justly rewarded with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
I loved this trailer, and am excited to go watch the full version while crying myself to sleep, on Starz.
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