The Truth About Burton's Batman 3 - Batman Forever Screenwriters' Interview - Janet and Lee Batchler

[@X2Magneto]

What's crazy is that this interview has cleared up nearly 30 years of rumors, but more Bat fans haven't heard this!

[@evanzaremba4722]

That's right.

[@BatmanKnightfan]

Hi thank you for getting the writers of Batman Forever. I always wanted to hear that. I hope you guys get Sam Hamm and Dan Waters. This was very interesting listen to.

[@SuperHousePodcast]

We're aiming to make it happen!

[@walter_the_wobot2349]

Woohoo!

[@evanzaremba4722]

And interview Akvia Goldsman and David S. Goyer.

[@evanzaremba4722]

@@SuperHousePodcast and interview Akiva Goldsman about his time on the Batman movies.

[@NastalgicCLOWN80687]

Tim Burton vision was the best Batman’s visuals still look good

[@evanzaremba4722]

So as Joel Schumacher vision.

[@MetropolisKid]

wow what a great find...i love batman forever and this is so cool hearing the stories from the writers. thank you guys seriously.

[@evanzaremba4722]

Me too.

[@shadowofbosstown]

How? One of the worst movies ever. I was the target audience. Lol

[@cheaptoons]

Great interview ...I loved it ...took me back to my era

[@evanzaremba4722]

I love it too.

[@ChuckTheMystery]

Love The Batchlers script, love Akivas....very simply just love Batman Forever. Will always be my favorite Batman film.

[@evanzaremba4722]

My favorite as well. Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher are the greatest directors/producers. I read four drafts of the screenplay for the film and start getting into Val Kilmer's portrayal of Batman/Bruce Wayne.

[@ChuckTheMystery]

@@evanzaremba4722 In every version of the screenplay I was just so impressed with the understanding of the character of Bruce Wayne. You could just see the psychological struggles that he had, mixed with sheer genius and Val brought so much of that to the screen. Just the thought that the “Schumacher cut” could add even more to that has me excited!

[@RShadow12]

@@ChuckTheMystery Akia Goldsman stated that he saw Schumacher’s first cut of the film at WB recently, and he said he believes a “renaissance” for the film is coming. Let’s hope!

[@evanzaremba4722]

@@ChuckTheMystery you got it.

[@evanzaremba4722]

This is gonna be great. Love BF.

[@walter_the_wobot2349]

OMG! What a gem this episode is. Thank you so much guys!

[@evanzaremba4722]

It is a great episode.

[@coreyristic9234]

Thank you for posting this. I always wanted to know how the writers felt about Batman Forever.

[@evanzaremba4722]

Thanks for the post.

[@michaelblaine6494]

This channel is a goldmine

[@evanzaremba4722]

Yeah it is a goldmine.

[@demetriusdillard2863]

My sentiments exactly!

[@atila_santos]

Wow That's awesome! I really think BF could've been a much better movie featuring only the Riddler as the villain, but I still love that one

[@evanzaremba4722]

Well, Warner Bros wanted two villains after Batman Returns and Schumacher chose Two-Face as the main villain and The Batchlers chose The Riddler as the secondary villain.

[@brucewayne-ej3cx]

Great video! Thanks 👍

[@evanzaremba4722]

A great interview indeed.

[@brucewayne-ej3cx]

@@evanzaremba4722 🤜✨🤛

[@batcatpenguin3883]

Awesome interview!!! 🙂

[@evanzaremba4722]

That's a great interview.

[@cchandle]

I keep finding killer content on your channel, keep up the good work!

[@evanzaremba4722]

And they're really good at it.

[@ricky2286]

Fantastic interview👍👍

[@evanzaremba4722]

That's a great interview.

[@demetriusdillard2863]

I enjoyed listening to Lee and Janet Batchler's history of how they were both hired by the bigwigs at Warner Bros. to co-write "Batman Forever" following the departures of both Burton and Keaton from the Batman film franchise (though Akiva Goldsman was ultimately credited as writer). The Batchlers' screenplay "Smoke And Mirrors" would've been truly amazing; it's a low down dirty crying shame 9/11 ultimately squelched the ambitious project...I had first read about the development, pre-production, and ultimate cancellation of "Smoke And Mirrors"--along with other abandoned film projects and proposals, such as Schwarzenegger's aborted period sword-and-sorcery epic "Crusade"--in David Hughes' incredible book "Tales From Development Hell." Thank God the Batchlers declined to tackle the infamous film adaptation of the cult sixties television western/sci-fi/spy drama "Wild Wild West" (which Warner Bros. had been developing on and off since the early nineties, presumably with Tom Cruise portraying James West); they really dodged a nuclear explosion by avoiding that stinkbomb. I remember reading Cracked magazine's parody of "Batman Forever" and noticing that the Riddler's alias was indeed Lyle Heckendorf in their spoof (Cracked did, in fact, illegally obtain one of the bootlegged early draft scripts)...at least Mad Magazine's takeoff of the aforementioned "Batman Forever" was significantly better than Cracked's lackluster effort, with artwork illustrated by the late Mort Drucker. As for Robin Williams as the Riddler, I'm sure he would've done an adequate job as the lowly genius Edward Nigma, but I can't picture anyone else but Jim Carrey as the eccentric Prince of Puzzles...and Rene Russo would've brought a sensitive and sympathetic side to Chase Meridian had Keaton reprised Batman for the third time (coincidentally, both Russo and Keaton had co-starred in "One Good Cop" a few years earlier); other actresses considered for Chase were--if my memory serves me correctly--Robin Wright, Linda Hamilton, and Jeanne Tripplehorn. Eventually, Nicole Kidman was cast as Chase after Kilmer had replaced Keaton following his acrimonious departure after learning of Schumacher's vision for the third film (Keaton's preferred salary to return for "Batman Forever" was $15 million). Too bad Billy Dee Williams didn't return as Harvey Dent for "Batman Forever"; as much as I adore and respect Tommy Lee Jones, Billy Dee would've brought an edge to Two-Face...I also would've wanted to see him completely disfigured. All in all, this was a highly entertaining video. Thanks for sharing.

[@michaeljones2235]

I loved your interview

[@dailydoseofsunshine2319]

Probably a unpopular opinion now but my head-canon is still forever and batman and robin being sequels to returns, like they originally were intended to be in the 90s.

[@JohnDoe-tm9wz]

BATMAN CONTINUES

[@evanzaremba4722]

How about Batman Triumphant?

[@tleon858]

Gonna now watch this movie with an open mind. Never seen the whole movie back in the day.

[@evanzaremba4722]

I watched the film currently.

[@andrewlenihan1265]

The very first Riddler issue from 1947 did show a little of his origin as a child.

[@evanzaremba4722]

1948.

[@eetujh]

I would have liked to know who came up with the title Forever? In script it was only called Batman 3 and I think it was gonna be called Batman Continues at some point.

[@eetujh]

@Brandon Brooks Continues title is fake.

[@evanzaremba4722]

@@eetujh yeah. That's just a rumor title.

[@evanzaremba4722]

These are just rumors. The script was just called Batman 3.

[@evanzaremba4722]

@@eetujh that's right.

[@johnironz5676]

The animated series, gave the Riddler an origin story before Forever

[@SuperHousePodcast]

Thanks for your comment. We replied to this at the end of our latest ep: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mai9mZKnetKhoLs

[@evanzaremba4722]

I watched the episode.

[@michaeljones2235]

And one question: will you re-interview Lee Batchler and Janet Scott Batchler?

[@Jared_Wignall]

24:43 sponsor is over. The Dark Knight Trilogy is my favorite version of Batman/Bruce Wayne as we got a great journey with a beginning, middle and end as well as Christian Bale’s excellent portrayal of the character. He’s been my favorite since seeing Batman Begins in 2005 as that’s how I wanted to see the character portrayed. It was a mostly dark portrayal, but there was quite a bit of humor thrown into those films, especially whenever Bruce was in a scene with Alfred and/or Lucius. Val Kilmer did a good job, but due to the lighter tone Batman Forever had, the film didn’t have a great balance of dark and light in my opinion and as a result, his performance juxtaposed to the performances of Jim Carrey and Tommy Lee Jones doesn’t completely fit with the film. If the darker tone that we have heard about was shown he likely would be regarded even higher than we often see him when it comes to ranking those who’ve played Bruce Wayne/Batman. All that said, this is an excellent interview. Great job guys.

[@jonathangems]

Batman Forever? They should have called it: 'Batman Forget it.'

[@MrGlasspider]

Gentlemen, you are underrated!

[@SuperHousePodcast]

Thank you for this and all your comments. We replied to this one in our latest episode: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gaiXhGCkZst5Z8k

[@MrGlasspider]

@@SuperHousePodcast Thank you, guys! Кeep up the good work!

[@evanzaremba4722]

Underrated?

[@roncorless2592]

Batman Forever is my favourite Batman movie because Robin finally appeared and the Riddler was in it. But as much as I liked Jim Carrey as the Riddler. I would have preferred Robin Williams as the Riddler and Tim Burton directing Batman 3. I also wonder what Marlon Wayans would have been like as Robin.

[@evanzaremba4722]

Joel Schumacher wanted Robin Williams to play The Riddler back in 1993. Williams told Schumacher that playing The Riddler would be very nify, but when he turn it down, he found The Riddler way too intellectual, not as comedic as The Riddler played by Frank Gorshin in the television series, that's what his manager said. So Schumacher cast Jim Carrey instead.

[@rosemaryfarell5264]

Withe Williams im hoping hed have gone darker as the Riddler. O'Donnell as Robin was AWFUL CASTING. Horrible, he did ok in Forever but was just ridiculous he looked 25 ffs and in B&R my god he was insufferable,why would u write him as a Whiny,moaning twat.

[@evanzaremba4722]

@@rosemaryfarell5264 I don't like the idea of a dark Riddler. You should be a shame of yourself.

[@GabrielSC174]

Perfect

[@evanzaremba4722]

Amazing.

[@djassassinuk]

Lots of reasons to accept Adam West's Batman but reject Clooney's ... Bat Credit Card anyone?..

[@SuperHousePodcast]

Thanks for your comment. We replied to this in our latest episode! kzbin.info/www/bejne/laLLgoKcf6mSa7c

[@evanzaremba4722]

I accept Adam West, Val Kilmer, and Christian Bale. Both Michael Keaton and George Clooney were okay.

[@MarsAttacksMemoirs108]

Great interview Just a q: who was this from Alabama?

[@jjacks87]

I feel like when they bring up the walking down the middle of the line of light and dark the only interpretation that I think did do that successfully is the DCAU (Kevin Conroy) Batman. but movie wise I think Val Kilmer and Batman forever is the closets but we bunch it up with Batman and Robin so often we actually ignore it's accomplishments

[@evanzaremba4722]

I knew that it's one of the best films of 1995. Val Kilmer is a good Batman to me.

[@Bobbybillybillbob]

Ironic that a character all about duality, has Alfred and the Joker as the two most pivotal characters in Bruce-Batmans life yet these are the two that don't have another identity?

[@shamrockballs1066]

No harm to Robin Williams, but if he really wanted the part then why did he hold out for $15m and a percentage of the gross etc. I'm sure he wasn't short of a few quid. Sounds like greed to me.

[@shamrockballs1066]

@Brandon Brooks I did hear he felt he was being used as a pawn, like the original, to get someone else and he didn't like that.

[@yauyuso]

Because usually there are certain agreements. It's Hollywood business. Keep in mind it's not just Robin Williams. His agent takes a cut of how much he gets paid.

[@evanzaremba4722]

@@shamrockballs1066 and he found The Riddler way too intellectual, just like his manager said back in 1994.

[@evanzaremba4722]

He talked to Schumacher back in 1993 about playing The Riddler.

[@rosemaryfarell5264]

Cos hed been fucked over n used by warners before on the first Batman. Id be greedy too.

[@lturner7159]

Going from Jack Nicholson’s Joker 🃏 to this was a downgrade and If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Don’t get greedy with villains especially if you can’t properly justify one villain being on screen with proper character development minus the joker. But... WB scares me with this level of idiocy,in trusting there crown jewel a Batman film property with amateurs/rookies who barely new anything about it 🤦🏽🤯🤬😢😭🤢🤮 thank God for Nolan🙏🥺 and Affleck

[@Ian-hj4yt]

Cringe

[@evanzaremba4722]

Thank God for Affleck? I don't think so. How about thank God for both Val Kilmer and Christian Bale?

[@timyo6288]

Glad Robin Williams death ruled out any small chance of him ever playing Riddler.

[@rosemaryfarell5264]

Your glad he died so he could never play riddler??? Seriously!!

[@evanzaremba4722]

He's a great man. Don't take his death for granted.

[@evanzaremba4722]

@@rosemaryfarell5264 God bless his soul.

[@dreamlandnightmare]

Why wouldn't you ever want to see him play Riddler? I think he would have been great, much better than Jim Carey's over-the-top schtick.

[@thecommaking]

Batman Forever is a horrible movie.

[@theotherguy21]

It's actually a decent movie it's a guilty pleasure for me just don't think white your watching it and it's actually enjoyable

[@haileyshannon7548]

I always had a soft spot for it since it was the first Batman I saw in theaters and I was 9

[@evanzaremba4722]

It's a good movie, you know.

[@rosemaryfarell5264]

Why??? Every batman movie is frim different eras of the comic books. If u liked the eras forever was goung with many would love it. Your saying its Horrible. Compared to what?? The Dark Knight?? Well obviously theres no contest but yiur subjecti e review dont hold water in that its HORRIBLE.

[@evanzaremba4722]

@@theotherguy21 that's right. It's a great movie to me. Tim Burton's vision of Batman was amazing, Joel Schumacher's vision of Batman was wonderful, and Christopher Nolan's vision of Batman was fantastic.

[@shadowofbosstown]

No talent in sight. This is wild. Batman is about duality derp. It's about money and not getting the right credit. Make up your own characters.

[@Pwg1985]

Now we know why those movies sucked. Mom raised dude and a woman who wanted robin to be a woman 🤦‍♂️

[@michaelblaine6494]

Frank Miller?

[@Pwg1985]

@@michaelblaine6494 that’s not who was being interviewed. But honestly whoever. I know what your about to say. The dark knight returns. But by the time Hollywood producers that know nothing about batman got done with it, it would look like Batman and Robin did. They need to let ppl like Bruce Tim do these movies, and others. But he seems to know how to do batman.

[@bubbabibleman5970]

whatever dude. I'm sure your tradwife loves ya very much.

[@Pwg1985]

@@bubbabibleman5970 I just gave my opinion. So stfu 😗

[@bubbabibleman5970]

@@Pwg1985 Oopsie Poopsie did I hurt the ur feewings?

[@leoteasdale7484]

Great interview 👍