Fox Releases "Official" Birdman Returns Trailer

Fox Searchlight clearly had fun playing up the parallels between Birdman's fictional comic book movie franchise and its real-world inspiration, Batman. Just look at who has the starring role of Riggan Thomson.

Even though Birdman debuted to critical praise, Searchlight isn't done playing in the imaginary universe that they built. Following the path that the Batman franchise blazed throughout the nineties, Fox has released an "official" trailer for the 1992 Birdman sequel, Birdman Returns. A clear riff on Batman Returns, which Michael Keaton also starred in, the fake trailer splices scenes from Batman Returns with footage of Keaton in his Birdman costume.

Along with the video, Fox posted this humorous bit of fake-film history: "In 1992, Riggan Thomson makes box office history in BIRDMAN RETURNS. It will be another 4 years before Riggan famously pulls out of BIRDMAN 4 and disappears off the face of the planet until reviving his career on Broadway!"

You can check out the full trailer below for the superhero universe that could have been. Who knows which colorful rogues Birdman could have faced in this blockbuster sequel. Perhaps The Walrus and Dogwoman? As long as Christopher Walken still has a role, we're sold.

Now that Fox has opened this Pandora's box, let's hope they (or fandom) never shuts it. Who's up for the Birdman Forever trailer? Or the 2005 reboot starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Birdman Begins?