Michael Keaton is reportedly in talks to pick up the Batman cape for the first time since he starred in Batman Returns nearly 30 years ago.

The Hollywood Reporter had claimed that Keaton may reprise the role in DC Comics spin-off superhero movie The Flash, alongside Ezra Miller.

The film is set to be directed by IT helmer Andy Muschietti, and will begin production in London early next year.

The publication wrote that if a deal is done, Keaton could make several appearances in DC Comics adaptations, similarly to Samuel L Jackson's repeated cameos in Marvel movies.

The studio behind The Flash - Warner Bros - made no comment on the claims.

Keaton's last superhero venture was playing a faded action star in the 2014 Oscar-winning black comedy Birdman.

Since Ben Affleck retired from playing the caped crusader, Robert Pattinson has officially taken on the role in The Batman, a noirish cinematic viewpoint from Cloverfield director Matt Reeves.

Zack Snyder has also just announced that he is working on a longer cut of Justice League to premiere on HBO Max, while Henry Cavill may return as Superman in sequels to Aquaman and Shazam.

The latest DC film set to premiere is Wonder Woman 1984, due for release this October.

Keaton also portrayed Batman/Bruce Wayne in 1989's Batman, and was last seen in Tim Burton’s Dumbo.

He is potentially returning as Spider-Man villain Vulture in Sony’s Morbius.