Val Kilmer portrayed Batman in Joel Schumacher's Batman Forever.
Characters portrayed by Val Kilmer in the Batman Universe[]
Bat-history[]
The search for Michael Keaton's replacement[]
In July 1994, Michael Keaton's negotiations with Terry Semel & Bob Daly fell trough. Keaton decided not to return for a sequel to 1992's Batman Returns,[1] due to "creative differences."[2] Ethan Hawke was Joel Schumacher first choice to play Bruce Wayne but Hawke turned the role down. Schumacher then approached William Baldwin, who he previously worked with on Flatliners. Baldwin also truned the part down. Schumacher then saw Tombstone on television and was impressed with Kilmer's performance.[2]
Feuding with Schumacher amidst filming[]
Kilmer famously feuded withe Schumacher during the filming, going for weeks without speaking to him. Kilmer was known to have rageful outbursts, often tearing apart his foam latex bodysuit, according to Jose Fernandez. This resulted in Kilmer spending very little time in-costume, with his stand-in Keith Campbell doubling for him wherever possible. Fight double Alex Daniels recalled an incident where Kilmer tore a sonar cowl from his head, each at a cost of about 40,000 USD at the time.[3]
Val Kilmer created art of himself for DC FanDome.
The search for Kilmer's replacement[]
When Kilmer was negotiating for the sequel to Batman Forever, he attempted to go over Schumacher's head by insisting Akiva Goldsman be replaced with screenwriter of his choosing, Robert Towne.[4] In February 1996, Kilmer's publicist claimed that he decided not to return for another Batman feature, feeling that Batman was being marginalized in favor of the villains.[5] It seems his negotiations did not work in his favor, with Schumacher claiming to have fired him at different times due to his unreasonable demands and on-set behavior. Kilmer went on to do The Saint with a salary of $6 million.[5] George Clooney replaced Kilmer as Batman in 1997's Batman & Robin.
Collaborations[]
- Previously co-starred with Michael Gough in the 1984 action-comedy Top Secret!
- Co-starred with Batman Returns actress Michelle Pfeiffer in the 1985 family television drama special One Too Many.
- Co-starred with Injustice actor Kevin Pollak in the 1988 fantasy-adventure film Willow.
- Co-starred with Batman: Arkham Origins actress Kelly Hu in the 1991 biographical film The Doors.
- Co-starred with Batman actress Kim Basinger in the 1993 crime-heist film The Real McCoy.
- Co-starred with Batman Begins actor Tom Wilkinson in the 1996 historical-adventure film The Ghost and the Darkness.
- Co-starred with Michelle Pfeiffer again in the 1998 animated film The Prince of Egypt.
Links[]
References[]
- ↑ Gordinier, Jeff (July 15, 1994). "Next At Batman", Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved on October 14, 2007October 14, 2007.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Nathan, Ian (August 1995). "Hold me, thrill me, kiss me, Kilmer", Empire, pp. 108–117. Retrieved on November 20, 2007November 20, 2007.
- ↑ The BatPodcast- Episode 6- Bruce Thomas
- ↑ It Wasn’t Batman Forever for Kilmer LA Times
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "A Tights Squeeze", Entertainment Weekly (March 8, 1996). Retrieved on September 17, 2007September 17, 2007.