Batman & Robin - What Happened?

Summary

In this video, the creator delves into the infamous 'Batman & Robin' film, exploring its troubled production, casting choices, and the disastrous outcome. Despite the success of 'Batman Forever,' Warner Bros. rushed the sequel, leading to a disastrous blend of excessive merchandising, strained relationships on set, and a ridiculous final product. The film's campy tone, poor reviews, and fierce competition at the box office resulted in a massive flop, cementing 'Batman & Robin' as a notorious failure. The video also touches on the abandoned sequel 'Batman Unchained' and director Joel Schumacher's reflections on the film’s legacy.

Takeaways

• 😀 *Batman & Robin* (1997) was a critical failure, facing poor reviews and losing box office to *Face/Off* despite a large budget and heavy merchandising.
• 😀 The film's production was rushed, with Warner Brothers fast-tracking the project to release in summer 1997, barely two years after *Batman Forever* (1995).
• 😀 Joel Schumacher, who directed *Batman Forever*, returned as director for *Batman & Robin*, but faced major behind-the-scenes conflicts, including pressure for more toyetic content.
• 😀 The casting process was controversial: George Clooney was cast as Batman due to availability, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Mr. Freeze salary was $25 million, and Alicia Silverstone faced ridicule on set.
• 😀 Despite the movie’s over-the-top aesthetic, Warner Brothers was convinced of its success before even seeing a rough cut, leading them to offer Schumacher a sequel deal.
• 😀 The film’s infamous costumes included noticeable features like the codpieces and nipples, which were designed to emulate ancient Greek and Roman statues but became a point of mockery.
• 😀 *Batman & Robin* was designed with merchandising in mind, leading to unnecessary additions like the black-and-silver costume change for the heroes to sell more toys.
• 😀 There was a strained dynamic on set, with Arnold Schwarzenegger's costume taking up to four hours to apply, and his limited time on set due to his 12-hour workday contract.
• 😀 Despite some early success in its opening weekend, *Batman & Robin* was overshadowed by the release of *Hercules* and *Face/Off*, which outperformed it at the box office.
• 😀 Warner Brothers scrapped plans for a fifth film, and the proposed sequel, *Batman Unchained*, which would have featured Scarecrow and Harley Quinn, was never made.
• 😀 In the years following the film's release, Joel Schumacher took responsibility for the film's failure, admitting to the issues with the focus on merchandising and the overly campy tone.

Q & A

Why did Warner Brothers fast-track the production of *Batman and Robin*?

Warner Brothers wanted to capitalize on the financial success of *Batman Forever*, which had performed significantly better than *Batman Returns*. They aimed to release *Batman and Robin* in time for summer 1997, just two years after *Batman Forever*, pushing for faster production to meet tight deadlines and maximize merchandising opportunities.

What major changes were made to the tone of *Batman and Robin* compared to *Batman Forever*?

*Batman and Robin* was made to be even more family-friendly than *Batman Forever*. The film emphasized humor, with characters cracking jokes throughout, a stark contrast to the darker and more dramatic moments in *Batman Forever*. Warner Brothers also pushed for the film to be more toyetic, meaning more gear, accessories, and costumes were included to boost merchandising potential.

What challenges did Arnold Schwarzenegger face while playing Mr. Freeze?

Arnold Schwarzenegger faced multiple difficulties during production, primarily due to the uncomfortable and time-consuming makeup process for his Mr. Freeze character. The makeup process alone took over four hours, and the suit was plagued with technical issues, such as leaking battery acid and short battery life for the LEDs in his costume, which regularly forced delays on set.

How did the costume design contribute to the film’s infamous reception?

The film's costume design, particularly the inclusion of nipples and codpieces on the Bat suits, became a notorious talking point. Director Joel Schumacher defended these choices, claiming they were inspired by ancient Greek statues, but these design elements were widely mocked, contributing to the film’s critical reception. Additionally, Chris O'Donnell’s Robin costume was uncomfortable, with a mask that caused sweating and discomfort.

How did the casting of Alicia Silverstone as Batgirl affect her experience during the filming?

Alicia Silverstone faced significant criticism from the media and the film’s crew during production. She was mocked by crew members and media outlets for her appearance, with cruel nicknames like 'Fatgirl'. Despite rigorous stunt training, including learning to ride a motorcycle for her role, the mistreatment she endured led to a difficult on-set experience. Director Joel Schumacher defended her and publicly criticized the media's treatment of her.

What was the impact of merchandising on the making of *Batman and Robin*?

Merchandising played a massive role in the production of *Batman and Robin*, with the film being designed around toy sales and promotional tie-ins. The characters were given extra gear and accessories, including arbitrary costume changes, to generate more merchandise. This emphasis on toys over narrative led to dissatisfaction from cast members, such as Chris O'Donnell, who felt the film became more of a toy commercial than a serious movie.

What was the initial box office performance of *Batman and Robin*, and how did it compare to *Batman Forever*?

*Batman and Robin* had a mixed box office performance. It made around $43 million in its opening weekend, which was 10 million less than *Batman Forever*'s opening. Despite grossing over $238 million worldwide, it underperformed compared to *Batman Forever*, which earned $336 million. The film's higher budget and poor reviews contributed to its overall disappointment at the box office.

What was *Batman and Robin*’s competition during its release, and how did this impact its box office performance?

*Batman and Robin* faced stiff competition in its opening week, particularly from *Hercules* and *Face/Off*. *Face/Off*, despite having a much smaller budget, actually outperformed *Batman and Robin* at the box office. This, along with the negative reception from critics and audiences, led to its relatively poor financial performance.

What plans did Warner Brothers have for a sequel to *Batman and Robin*, and why were they ultimately scrapped?

Warner Brothers had planned to fast-track a sequel, *Batman Unchained*, which would have featured Scarecrow and Harley Quinn (as the Joker's daughter). The film was set to release in 1999, but the disastrous reception of *Batman and Robin* led to the cancellation of these plans. A cameo for Scarecrow, played by Nicolas Cage, was also scrapped, and Coolio was considered for the role.

How did director Joel Schumacher feel about the reception of *Batman and Robin*, and how did he respond?

Joel Schumacher took full responsibility for the film’s failure, acknowledging that the pressure to make the film more commercial and toy-friendly detracted from its quality. He apologized to fans who were disappointed by the film, expressing regret for how things turned out and admitting that the film did not live up to expectations. Despite this, he noted that he had enjoyed working on the film, even though it didn’t turn out as intended.