Batman Forever

Batman Forever (1995) is the third film in the series of Batman movies which began with Tim Burton's 1989 version of the character. It starred Val Kilmer as Batman, in his first and only appearance as the Dark Knight, and Chris O'Donnell as Robin.

Background

While the previous two films had been directed by Tim Burton, Batman Forever was directed by Joel Schumacher, whose changes to the established designs and thematics of the first two films -- Batman's costume includes latex nipples for example -- are regarded by many as being less serious than the franchise's previous two. Burton, incidentally, stayed on the project as producer.

Related Topics:
Tim Burton - Joel Schumacher - Nipples

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The villains in the movie are The Riddler, played by Jim Carrey, and Two-Face/Harvey Dent, a role played in the original 1989 movie by Billy Dee Williams, but assumed here by Tommy Lee Jones. Also in the movie is Dr. Chase Meridian, played by Nicole Kidman; the movie proved to be Kidman's breakout role and put her on the road to superstardom.

Related Topics:
The Riddler - Jim Carrey - Two-Face - 1989 - Billy Dee Williams - Tommy Lee Jones - Nicole Kidman

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Picking up a few years after the events of Batman Returns, this sequel follows Two-Face's alliance with The Riddler and their resulting plan to destroy Batman. It also tells the origin story of Robin (a familiar character not seen in either of the two previous Batman films by Tim Burton). Robin's circus-performing parents are killed by Two-Face, and the Riddler is a vengeful, obsessive former engineer of Bruce Wayne, Batman's alter-ego.

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Originally it was intended that the third Batman film would be directed by Burton with Michael Keaton, Rene Russo as the love interest, Micky Dolenz as the Riddler (Robin Williams was offered the role, but turned it down) and possibly a reprise of the Catwoman character. When Burton was attached by the studio to the Superman film, Keaton left the film as he was unhappy to do the part with another director. As the younger Val Kilmer was cast, production was delayed and Renee Russo was let go, as she was deemed an inappropriate age for the part of the love interest. Due to its huge success, Batman Forever was followed two years later by Batman and Robin (1997).

Related Topics:
Rene Russo - Micky Dolenz - Robin Williams - Catwoman - Superman - Batman and Robin

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