[on his being passed over for Tim Burton`s 1989 Batman (1989)] I cried for an hour, but then I was okay. I wanted it! I don`t know. I figured that`s their business and they have a film in mind. I`ve already done it. I`ve done my Batman. Look, do you want the classic Coke or the new stuff? Maybe both. I do know that I`m disappointed not to have had a chance to play Batman, but they have their vision and I have mine.

[on his typecasting as The Caped Crusader] It was inescapable. I`d just about land something substantial, something I like or a good career move. Then some dinosaur would rear up and say, "But the audience will think of him as Batman." It was formidable. It was there like a brick wall.

I can`t tell you how grateful I am to those fans. They are not stupid. I think they appreciate my sincerity and my work. Actors want to be loved. "Batman" (1966) has done that for me. I have an audience out there which is always waiting to see whatever I do. And new generations are constantly discovering me in reruns. So, as long as I stay sharp, good things can still happen for me. Meanwhile, I keep hoping that a wonderful opportunity will come along. Belive me, my life ain`t so bad, after all."

[on his disappointment with the direction "Batman" (1966) was taking, especially during its second and third seasons] `Batman` was an expensive show and it was losing money. I became extremely frustrated and unhappy and wanted out. There was nothing I could do to convince the producers or the studio to make improvements. I was just a hired hand. Eventually I lost all interest because I felt the series was being neglected. They weren`t spending the money they should have, and we weren`t getting the scripts we deserved. I didn`t want any part of this situation any more. I was tired of fighting for better shows. The program I wanted to do was no longer possible. But I hated to leave the character because Batman had been good to me.