Batman Forever Script Deep Dive

[@_ChoccooMilkk_]

The Schumacher Cut does technically exist, if you google Batman Forever Virtual Workprint, you can see Batman Forever with the deleted scenes added and some of the main scenes removed.

[@evanzaremba4722]

And last year, Kevin Smith had seen the November 1994 workprint of Batman Forever and it had the Danny Elfman Batman score.

[@evanzaremba4722]

And last year, Kevin Smith had seen the November 1994 workprint of Batman Forever and it had the Danny Elfman Batman score.

[@Shadowman820]

I own the second script draft from Batman Forever/Batman 3 , overall I find it superior to the third shooting draft except for some reason The Riddler's name was Lyle Heckendorf which was changed back in the third draft . Not sure if anyone ever saw the first draft outside of the people involved in the production .

[@evanzaremba4722]

I read the script and I loved it.

[@avace917]

They briefly touch on Dick Grayson blaming Batman for his parents' death. When Dick steals the Batmobile and Batman saves him, the first thing Dick says is "If you'd told Two Face who you were at the circus, they'd still be alive!!" Batman's response is (can't remember the exact wording) "If Bruce Wayne could've saved your parents, he would have!"

[@avace917]

The quote is "If Bruce Wayne could've given his to save your parents, he would have!"

[@evanzaremba4722]

@@avace917 that's right.

[@evanzaremba4722]

I watched that scene.

[@evanzaremba4722]

I read all four drafts of Batman Forever. The first two drafts had Batman's dialogue, Two-Face's dialogue, and The Riddler's dialogue were written with Michael Keaton, Tommy Lee Jones, and Robin Williams. The second but last two were closer to the red book stuff and when I watch the film, I love the way about Batman's duality was played out and it's dark, edgy, and light like the first film. Val Kilmer did a wonderful job as Batman/Bruce Wayne.

[@elderrusty541]

“Billie Dee Williams is too heroic” that’s perfect for two face, he’s a damn good DA who fights for justice, he’s Gotham’s White Knight, his fall from hero to villain is what makes him compelling

[@evanzaremba4722]

That's right. That's why Tommy Lee Jones replaced Billy Dee Williams in the film.

[@xenablossom4682]

I read somewhere years ago that when Two-Face flips his coin three times during the attack on Wayne Manor, each flip is for a different person and not just Bruce. The first flip for Alfred; the second one for Chase, and the last is for Bruce. That way Two-Face isn't flipping his coin multiple times until he gets the desired outcome.

[@SuperHousePodcast]

Thanks for this comment. We responded to this at the end of our latest episode! kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXikmICKq6aHnLc

[@evanzaremba4722]

He always flip his coin.

[@evanzaremba4722]

@@SuperHousePodcast i hope you appreciate it.

[@SeasideDetective2]

I'm actually disappointed that they cut out the explicit references to the previous films. This should have been a true trilogy instead of just a "The adventures continue!" string of entries.

[@evanzaremba4722]

Because Warner Bros and Tim Burton want Joel Schumacher not to do the same mistake he did with the second one.

[@the.sketch.projekt8851]

Imagine if Schumacher was like fuck it and made a Falling Down-esk Batman movie with The Riddler taking on the character of Will Foster, or how bout this: They go with Keaton’s idea to an origin story and basically is like Godfather part 2 where half of it is in the past and half in the future. In the origin part, we see Bruce training with Richard Dragon and Ra’s Al Ghul and eventually fighting The Riddler. We then go to the present where The Riddler has returned and is working with Two-Face.

[@evanzaremba4722]

Well, they want a living comic book and I don't imagine Edward Nygma being Will Foster.

[@HitsInTheMix]

I understand that Returns was a bit too dark and weird for some viewers. In my opinion Forever had a nice balance between dark and light. And if they would have included all those deleted scenes it would have been even better. I wish extended cut exist somewhere in WB's vault waiting to be released.

[@acon2253]

Hi, here is a petition for the release of the Director's Cut of Batman Forever. Sign this petition and send it to as many people as possible. Thank you. www.change.org/p/warner-brothers-release-the-director-s-cut-of-batman-forever

[@Ian-hj4yt]

Batman needs to be dark, so Returns was spot on.

[@evanzaremba4722]

I read about the petition.

[@evanzaremba4722]

@@Ian-hj4yt well, they made him a killer. And I'm against it.

[@evanzaremba4722]

@@acon2253 don't worry, they'll sign it.

[@acon2253]

At this rate, the 170 minute cut of Batman Forever could have easily fallen into the category of a psychological drama.

[@g_aware_nerd]

This is why I actually like BF. I could see that aspect shining thru all the camp

[@evanzaremba4722]

I read four drafts of Batman Forever and I always getting into Kilmer's portrayal of Batman and he's the best Batman to me.

[@evanzaremba4722]

@@g_aware_nerd I like the film too.

[@acon2253]

@@g_aware_nerd Yeah it adds a darker and deeper side to the film, its a shame they didn't find a way to keep those extra scenes in. In fact, it shows how important screenwriting is in filmmaking. Those scenes wouldn't exist withiut the script and neither would the visuals. Warner Bros. were lucky with Akiva Goldsman and they blew it.

[@acon2253]

@@evanzaremba4722 I have the Akiva Goldsman script and its pretty deep. There are two scenes in the script where Bruce wakes up from a nightmare in bed and I thought it would add greatly to the film. The other scene occurs after Two-Face and Riddler leave Wayne Manor and the batcave is burning and the symbol of the bat is melting from the flames. I felt that there was something symbolic about it.

[@shamrockballs1066]

I'm loving these! There was definitely a better movie in there than what ended up with. Great work!

[@SuperHousePodcast]

Thanks!

[@shamrockballs1066]

@@SuperHousePodcast You're welcome. Been listening to the channel all week, it's brilliant! You guys deserve more coverage!

[@TexasFilmCritic]

Superhero Stuff You Should Know from SuperHouse would you like to join in and tweet #ReleaseTheSchumacherCut for Batman Forever on June 16? Yes, No or not sure yet? Whatever choice you make I will respect that. I did receive a message from Akiva Goldsman the writer of the movie on Twitter and he said he is interested on seeing it. Let me know when you have time to think about it. Thank you.

[@acon2253]

Hi, here is a link to the petition for the release of the director's cut of Batman Forever: www.change.org/p/warner-brothers-release-the-director-s-cut-of-batman-forever After you sign the petition send it on to as many people as possible and tell them to also send it to as many people as possible. Thanks.

[@evanzaremba4722]

Me too.

[@VenusHeadTrap2]

Chase "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were sulking" Bruce "Keep me off the couch, doc, your fees are a little rich for me"

[@evanzaremba4722]

That's funny. And why they removed it.

[@sparkageddon3186]

i love listenin to yall script deep dive i love listenin to this more than watchin the movies man dc needs to hire yall to write a actually batman film in yall own universe thanks for breakin it down, n makin yall videos longer i come to yall page weekly when im bored

[@SuperHousePodcast]

Thanks so much. We thanked you in our latest episode: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gH7KfoOegdd_o6s

[@evanzaremba4722]

That's a good idea.

[@evanzaremba4722]

@@SuperHousePodcast I love those scripts.

[@xenablossom4682]

RIP Joel Schumacher

[@evanzaremba4722]

That's right. God bless his soul.

[@SuperJmoney92]

Please do the deep dive episodes for all the superman movies

[@ericjohnson9623]

Agreed! Between the original Puzo drafts, the various Superman II changes, the Brainiac / Supergirl treatment of Superman III, not to mention the infamous Superman Lives period, would be fascinating to go into!

[@SuperJmoney92]

@@ericjohnson9623 Yeah we definitely need deep dives on superman. I love the batman deep dives especially as a superman fan

[@SuperHousePodcast]

@@SuperJmoney92 We've started the Christopher Reeve Superman films and acknowledged your first comment at the end of our ep here: here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqSol4OCnL58o6M

[@evanzaremba4722]

Oh yes.

[@evanzaremba4722]

@@ericjohnson9623 I read three drafts of Superman Lives.

[@rosemaryfarell5264]

A Schumacher cut needs to be released. Ive always liked Forever. Its not BRILLIANT but theres a decent film there. Unfairly gets bashed with B&R.

[@evanzaremba4722]

I read all four drafts of the screenplay for Batman Forever and I always get into Val Kilmer's portrayal of Batman/Bruce Wayne.

[@seancollins147]

The Riddler stalking Bruce at the circus should have been left in. Not only does it explain his costume but it's a nice throwback to his original origin as a carny. I was surprised to learn Thomas Wayne's diary plays a small but important role in "The Untold Tale of the Batman". Also thank you Drew for giving the world the term "King Shit of Fuck Mountain."

[@xenablossom4682]

FYI I heard that some bits of the deleted scenes can be seen in the music video for the end credits song, "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me".

[@acon2253]

Hi, here is a link to the petition for the release of the director's cut of Batman Forever: www.change.org/p/warner-brothers-release-the-director-s-cut-of-batman-forever After you sign the petition send it on to as many people as possible and tell them to also send it to as many people as possible. Thanks.

[@acon2253]

There is a shot of Bruce waking up from nightmare which comes after the scene where Edward murders Stickley. The scene was also scripted and shows the psychological trauma he is going through. I would've loved to have seen it.

[@xenablossom4682]

@@acon2253 I remember reading about Bruce waking from a nightmare with Two-Face calling Batman a killer in the novelization.

[@acon2253]

@@xenablossom4682 I have the novelization, but I never saw that in it.

[@xenablossom4682]

@@acon2253 It's on page 91, the beginning of Chapter 7, right after Nygma kills Stickley as you said.

[@dazbry7612]

After hearing these scripts i don't understand how we got the films we did? as much as i really like batman89 and returns, i still would of wanted these stories more? hollywood is wierd

[@evanzaremba4722]

I like all four of them and I really enjoy them.

[@jokerswild9660]

That I'm batman scene would've made the Audience go ape shit

[@evanzaremba4722]

That's right.

[@timrob12]

I tried to google 'original Riddler' or 'The Riddler original', but I only find images of Frank Gorshin.

[@SuperHousePodcast]

Google "Riddler origin." ifanboy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Detective-Comics-Vol.-1-140-1948-1.jpg

[@timrob12]

@@SuperHousePodcast Meanwhile, I found it. Thanks for the link.

[@evanzaremba4722]

I'll read it.

[@MrGlasspider]

Goddammit, this movie could have been good =( You know what, they should make a movie about Batman fighting evil producers next time!

[@evanzaremba4722]

It was like that.

[@edlewisnoctreviews]

I like some of the elements here. Granted, I love the film, but it might have been better with these different and/or alternate scenes. And the sex with the mask part just flashes bondage Batman to me.

[@evanzaremba4722]

Well they're is a petition for a Schumacher cut of BF, if you're going to sign it.

[@systemmonitor5295]

That Batsuit story was hilarious 😅😅

[@jimmyvanilla5285]

Where did you find the script and the revisions? Is there a link to it online?

[@evanzaremba4722]

Yes, there's a link.

[@walter_the_wobot2349]

Wait - Keaton wanted to explore the character more. The original script explored the character more. Why didn't he do the film then? I'm guessing after talking to Joel he picked up on the latter's intension to make the film lighter and sillier?

[@SuperHousePodcast]

As you've observed, Keaton claims these days that he didn't like the script, which contradicts the fact that the Batchlers' script gave him a way meatier role than he ever got in the previous films. If you've heard our interview with the Batchlers, they pointed out it was a salary dispute, which honestly makes more sense to us. Understandably, it's easier for him to claim these days that he didn't like the direction it was going in, given the reputation of the Schumacher films.

[@elderrusty541]

He said once Burton was out he was out

[@evanzaremba4722]

Hey! Don't you dare say about the films like that.

[@evanzaremba4722]

@@SuperHousePodcast that's right. They got Kilmer and it was a good thing.

[@evanzaremba4722]

@@elderrusty541 well, that's not true. Burton gave Schumacher his input.

[@sororitysleepawaymortuary1659]

loving that 35 yr dad rock at the start is that the rolling stones?... lol definitely in kenner territory here which is awesome. remember that batman forever toyline thouhg. it was a little more advanced but i love 89 and returns so much

[@evanzaremba4722]

I'll collect the toyline.

[@X2Magneto]

Do you know where I can find this original draft of Batman Forever?

[@SuperHousePodcast]

ia800107.us.archive.org/21/items/Batman3ScriptProductionDraftAkivaGoldsman/Batman%203%20script%20Early%20Draft%20The%20Batchlers.pdf

[@evanzaremba4722]

Script slug.

[@evanzaremba4722]

@@SuperHousePodcast there's a second draft of Batman Forever on script slug.

[@sparkageddon3186]

i love this version better

[@evanzaremba4722]

Well, all they want to have a sequel that follows the forties and fifties comic books.

[@DrJay-iy8rv]

42:10 “We keep our masks on….it’s BETTER that way.” Quote Frank Miller All Star Batman & Robin

[@npatil85]

HBO max do it red book edition

[@acon2253]

Blu ray too

[@evanzaremba4722]

Shout Factory, like they did with Exorcist 3.

[@needhamcomics6370]

I have an idea how to bring in Robin. He is a child assassin being trained by the Court of Owls. The Court is the main bad guys in the film. While stopping them, investigating them, Batman finds Dick Grayson, a young boy orphaned when his circus family was murdered. He was scooped up by the Owls to grow into a Talon. His "uniform" is the basic Owl assassin suit and maybe the rank system, which is awesome, can be used and he is ranked as a Robin. now Bruce has adopted him and is allowing him to help against crime to help rehabilitate him, get passed the Owl's trauma and would also explain how Dick is able to actually fight better than most.

[@evanzaremba4722]

That was Damian Wayne and The Court of Owls is not created until 2011.

[@paulblodgett4072]

🖤💙💚🦇🙌

[@evanzaremba4722]

Me too.

[@roninkraut6873]

Unreal. I got this movie as a teenager. It’s crazy to think how awesome it could have and should have been. Instead, I had Mad mardigon, a pet detective and a US marshal doing cosplay...

[@evanzaremba4722]

Look, I like all four films. If you say bad things about it, that's fine, but get use to it.

[@robertfanuzzi2206]

Dude you need a sharper foil

[@evanzaremba4722]

No, you do.

[@ZakynthosDiamandis]

Even with the deleted scenes, Forever is still cringe and nowhere near the Burton movies on any level.

[@jimmyvanilla5285]

Probably would’ve been with the best script choices

[@evanzaremba4722]

And I heard about it, but Goldsman had those Burton film references.

[@evanzaremba4722]

@@jimmyvanilla5285 I used those ideas when I wrote a follow-up to the Batman Anthology films.