'Batman & Robin' director Joel Schumacher may get another crack at Batman

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October 25, 2014

Batman & Robin may not have ruined director Joel Schumacher's Batman career after all! According to a new report from Bleeding Cool, Schumacher is writing a twelve issue Batman comic, which is currently being drawn by Dustin Nguyen. The new comic series is rumored to be based on Schumacher's original vision for his Batman movies, including a third which was cancelled, Batman Triumphant.

Batman Triumphant was supposed to be the follow-up to Batman & Robin, and was even targeted for a Summer 1999 release. The movie would bring Batman back to his darker roots, and had the Scarecrow as the main villain, with the Joker returning as a hallucination in Batman's mind caused by the Scarecrow's fear toxin. Harley Quinn appeared as a supporting character, written as the Joker's daughter trying to kill Batman to avenge her father's death in Tim Burton's Batman. George Clooney, Chris O'Donnell and Alicia Silverstone were set to reprise the roles of Batman, Robin, and Batgirl. Batman Triumphant was eventually cancelled after the poor reception that Batman & Robin received.

It'll be interesting to see if this rumor turns out to be true, but as a Batman movie fan, I hope it does! I think Joel Schumacher deserves one last crack at Batman, especially after how he's handled all of the backlash to Batman & Robin over the years. Is this something that you'd be interested in? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

SOURCE: Bleeding Cool

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135 comments

emekafrancisuwazurike
October 25, 2014
-_-
Ram RS
October 25, 2014
Are you f***king kidding me?
Joker
October 25, 2014
I'm actually pretty excited for this. For one I've always kinda wondered what the series would have been like if it continued. But it'll also be interesting to see his original ideas for what the movies were going to be.
1. Joker
  October 25, 2014
  Minus the involvement from the "batman needs to be lighter and family friendly-er" stuidio.
Eric Boles
October 25, 2014
I want to see this because, from what I understand, he had a darker vision for his Batman movies, but the studio wouldn't allow it.
1. BatmanNewsChris
  October 25, 2014
  Exactly! They wanted him to tone it down a bit because too many people freaked out about Batman Returns being too dark.
  1. aurakle
    October 26, 2014
    I watched Batman and Returns again recently and both Joker and Penguins' plans are absolutely and completely squirrel sh*t nuts and f***d up!!
    Dayum!
    Think as a kid, all that went over my head...I was too busy running around with a black pillow case for a cape, flapping my arms shouting "Fly Batman Fly!"
    Burton, Nolan and now Synder must carry on that torch.
2. Joker
  October 25, 2014
  I like to think his concept followed more in the world Tim Burton had created. With that darker feel to it.
3. Andrew
  October 26, 2014
  Incorrect. He's said on tape that "I asked Tim if was alright to put my own spin on it, I couldn't handle making something as dark as his films. Mine needed to be more upbeat and edgy".
  1. Eric Boles
    October 26, 2014
    Then I'm not understanding why he wants comics that represent his actual vision, why is that?
    1. Andrew
      October 26, 2014
      His vision was definitely screwed with by the studio, that's not even debateable; the money hungry studio executives screwed us over. I'm fine with this comic series, BUT you can't say that he originally wanted this really dark nolan/burton great series. He didn't.
      1. Eric Boles
        October 26, 2014
        See, now I don't know whether to believe what you've said he said or these answers from an IFC interview where he said he wanted his second Batman movie to be more in line with what Nolan did. http://www.ifc.com/fix/2011...
      2. UKNOULUVIT
        October 26, 2014
        BOOM to Andrew Edwards!! lol
Captain Atom
October 25, 2014
i would read that :3
Roy Sleigh
October 25, 2014
please god noooo
1. Guest
  October 26, 2014
  be quiet dumbass
srivaaaaa
October 25, 2014
I actually wouldn't mind. The direction he was asked to take back then was to sell to kids and sell toys - hell Batman and Robin was the first Batman movie I saw and I loved it (at the age of 4 onwards). Now that I know the mythos more and know what Batman is truly about, I don't detest the film but I can see why it ran down the franchise. Schumacher has apologised for that and he persisted so many times to try redeem himself and the movie franchise. In all honesty, the guy knows how to make a movie. His cinematography aint bad at all and he can tell some story. Batman Forever actually had some really great moments, where the beginning - the I'll get drive through joke was quite solid. I wouldn't say no totally BUT I don't think they should overdo Batman. If they do so many movies too frequently, in future Batman films can loose value. Only Batman movies now should be the Snyder JLA stuff. Then take a break, and focus on building other characters e.g. Green Lantern, WW, Cyborg etc. Then in maybe 10 years re-boot it (let me write the script WB :p)
JaymusYawsley
October 25, 2014
He had some pretty decent ideas that were nixed or cut by the studio. Couple that with the hindsight of what worked and what didn't streamlined into a single narrative and this could be pretty intriguing stuff.
Also: dibs.
JJ
October 25, 2014
I'd much rather a BATMAN '89 series done in the same way as BATMAN '66 is being done now. And not written by Joel Schumacher.
1. boots
  October 25, 2014
  ha! weren't we just speculating about that? so close....
  1. JJ
    October 26, 2014
    I know! Though it gives me more time to get my writing game in gear, get hired by DC, and write the series myself :) One can dream....
    But yes! I've thought a lot about a B'89 comic. It would be very difficult because Burton didn't leave us with a whole lot to build from, whereas a series like the Batman TV show lends itself extremely well to continuation. But in Batman and Batman Returns, both the main villains die. There isn't a lot of fan service to pay homage to, if you were to write a comic. They're very bare-bones Batman movies.
    So I think the way to go if you were going to write an ongoing Batman '89 series would be to just build towards something else besides Batman Forever, and introduce new villains into the continuity, like Man-Bat or Scarecrow, and perhaps use villains that were in Batman Forever and Batman & Robin and reinterpret them not to suck. And yeah, just create some new adventures for Michael Keaton Batman.
2. cowchipsbotme
  October 28, 2014
  YES!
Alex Getts
October 25, 2014
So long as he's no where near the film franchise.
1. Mark
  October 25, 2014
  It's not him you have to worry about; it's the Warner Bros. marketing department.
  1. Eric Boles
    October 26, 2014
    The team from back then. The recent president that WB studios has is really serious about the superhero films.
Rafael Bessa
October 25, 2014
man, i really thought he was going to make another movie
BlaqMaq
October 25, 2014
I really want to see his "true" vision, uninterrupted by studio interference. However, I'm the guy that thinks that a retooled, serious take would've worked for Batman Forever...
Allen Christian
October 25, 2014
In! The original script for Forever was actually good. Schumacher is very talented and could have made a good Batman movie if everyome around him didn't suck. He's certainly not blameless, but he's dome gritty, and he's done it well.
Septimus Prime
October 25, 2014
-_- I know one person who would jerk off to this news. >>
1. JJ
  October 26, 2014
  Who?
  1. Septimus Prime
    October 26, 2014
    The Man who calls himself movieworld. :P
  2. Septimus Prime
    December 7, 2014
    The 40 year old pedophile aka movie world express! *TCH* (sorry for the late reply the disqus has changed for me). >> He's seriously pathetic.
2. UKNOULUVIT
  October 26, 2014
  ....... (as his d/ck is in hand)
  1. Septimus Prime
    October 26, 2014
    Literally Movieworld does. >>
Batman
October 25, 2014
His ideas for Batman Triumphant does sound rather appealing, I'd be interested to see Schumacher's darker take on the Bat.
tootone44
October 25, 2014
I say let him try again!
diogo02000
October 25, 2014
I think this is sensational for several reasons:
1) Could bring another non-developed scripts into the comic realm or another form (like Aronofsky's Year One, Superman Lives, Justice League Mortal), and this is a idea what been circulating DC offices from a long time (see >>> http://collider.com/jj-abra...
2) Besides his Batman movies, Schumacher is a very good director, wanna see what he can do with a darker batman and for finally 'Triumphant' becomes a reality.
3) Dustin Nyugen, because he is awesome.
4) I doubt he could be stupid enough to commit the same mistakes twice. This will be him free do to what we want and respect his original vision and this is a exciting thing.
5) Give me some hope to see the director's cut of 'Batman Forever' in the future.
1. Adam
  October 25, 2014
  I would fucking love to see a Justice League: Mortal comic
  1. Matches Malone
    October 25, 2014
    Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssss!!!
2. MIke
  October 29, 2014
  I mean if the fans really like his comic, maybe we'll see a Ben affleck Joel Scuhameacur teaming up for a solo batman flick who knows and he might get to do his dark vision :) minus the gayness in batman and robin with the bat niiples Since snynder can't do everything
Dmerle
October 25, 2014
People will moan, but when don't they? Think back to your job history and tell me you've never made a mistake, then imagine that mistake being watched by millions of people whenever and wherever they want, the guys got balls for giving this job a shot. Big ups.
Worlds Finest Comments
October 25, 2014
I want at least one page in every issue dedicated to either Bat-nipples or Bat-ass.
Matches Malone
October 25, 2014
Eh.....
Talia
October 25, 2014
Harley Quinn "daughter of the Joker"? That says enough about his understanding of the Batman mythology. Keep him away please.
1. Dmerle
  October 25, 2014
  That's irrelevant, in all aspects of Superhero media there are reimaginings of characters/plotlines. Take Batman Begins for instance, with the whole Ras training Bruce thing, that was a change to his original training but because it works, no one complains. Him planning to have the Joker be Quinn's Dad might not follow the mytho, but it could also work, and even if it didn't it doesn't necessarily mean he's ignorant about Batman, just trying something new.
  1. GKing
    October 25, 2014
    They also completely made up Rachel Dawes for the films.
2. The Old Kid
  October 26, 2014
  DC itself has made much more drastic changes with their New 52, so complaining about other media changing things at this point is really weird. Nobody has done more damage to Batman mythology than DC Comics itself.
Matches Malone
October 25, 2014
Where did he say that they were going to be in a sexual relationship? Remind me, please.
1. Adam
  October 25, 2014
  You sound stupid
  1. JJ
    October 26, 2014
    You're logic is flawed.
    You're saying that since they had a romantic/sexual relationship in the animated series and in the comics so, therefore, if Schumacher made Harley the daughter of Joker in HIS movie/interpretation, they would still have a sexual relationship and therefore would have an incestuous relationship.
    I believe Schumacher was going for a non-incestous Father/Daughter relationship with Joker and Harley.
    But, I'll allow your sick deviant mind to wander into those incest fantasies you have ;) Carry on.
    1. srivaaaaa
      October 26, 2014
      He definitely knows why bat nipples were unpopular. You're cooked mate. Harley as Joker's daughter is actually a brilliant idea. And obviously, if thats the way they do Triumphant - there wont be a love relationship in terms of romance but rather the love of a daughter for her father. Atomic man, keeping true to his reputation of bad comments hey.
      1. srivaaaaa
        October 27, 2014
        Ye but he has also apologised for his ideas, the entire 'campy and fun' theme as well as the suit design. Even if he wasn't sorry, he understands why they were unpopular
    2. Bat-Mite
      October 26, 2014
      Technically, since in this vision the joker is dead, their relationship wouldn't be in it at all ^.^
Miguel Gaspar
October 25, 2014
The guy is a very capable director, Lost Boys? That's right down Bats' alley.
Sure his batflicks were a flop cause nobody wanted a campy Batman, but I'm sure the dude can write a decent Batman story, plus, Nguyen art? Yes please.
After all, I be it'll be an elseworld's... Can't hurt.
HUSH LittleBaby
October 25, 2014
Allthough I do not directly blame him for B&R, because that was mostly a call from the executives who wanted to sell kid friendly toys,
I would like to see someone else take the helm. Preferably Affleck himself, or Snyder if he's not busy with JLA.
1. The Pay Attention Kid
  October 26, 2014
  So you want Ben Affleck to write the comic book sequel to Batman and Robin?
Nolan is a Hack
October 25, 2014
I still prefer Batman Forever over all 3 of Nolan's films. I hope this news turns out to be true.
1. Adam
  October 25, 2014
  Why? I honestly don't care one way or the other, I just want to know.
  1. Nolan is a Hack
    October 25, 2014
    I absolutely hate Nolan's sense of over-realism.
    I also love how with BF and B&R the movies are like rollercoaster rides that take you for a very fun ride and it gets to the point and the movie ends when it should. I feel all of Nolan's movies suffer from very bad pacing, not just his Batman ones. And because of this I find they offer me almost 0 rewatchabiltiy.
    1. Adam
      October 25, 2014
      I can definitely understand that. What do you think of Zack Snyder's direction with the character so far?
      1. Nolan is a Hack
        October 25, 2014
        I dunno yet. I like some of it, the visuals are great thats for sure. But I felt his action scenes are little over-done. Almost Michael Bay-esque.
      2. Nolan is a Hack
        October 25, 2014
        Edit: I realized you were talking about his Batman character. I thought originally you were talking about MOS and his take on the DC Universe. I can't really say how I feel about Batman yet as all I've seen is a 30 second ComicCon trailer. I'll have a better feel for it once we see a full length trailer.
      3. Knight-Errant
        October 26, 2014
        I wouldn't go by that teaser. It's more or less been confirmed not to be in the movie. Just a ComicCon tease.
      4. srivaaaaa
        October 26, 2014
        haha ye like the slow motion ninja turns in 300
    2. The Opinion Kid
      October 26, 2014
      What doesn't make sense? Somebody actually using more than 5 words to explain a basis for their opinion?
      1. Matches Malone
        October 26, 2014
        Amen.
    3. Nolan is a Hack
      October 26, 2014
      Please die in a fire. Today.
      1. Matches Malone
        October 26, 2014
        A fire is too kind.
2. Matches Malone
  October 26, 2014
  Best username ever.
Adam
October 25, 2014
Read the article.
Austin Rasberry
October 25, 2014
The title scared me for a second lol
GKing
October 25, 2014
The Burton/Schumacher films clearly aren't cannon and this comic series will in no way affect any other Batman comics or movies, so what do you care if he changes the lore up a little bit?
1. GKing
  October 25, 2014
  Why is it dumb and how is the plot generic?
  1. srivaaaaa
    October 26, 2014
    So you're saying Batman, a character based on revenge against Evil as an entity and avenging his parents' death is a generic story? yes there is a difference between Revenge and Avenging but both are apparent in most Batman stories. And definitely in 1989 Burton.
2. Andrew
  October 26, 2014
  That's like saying you don't want me to take my dog for a walk because you think I'm a twat. It doesn't effect you, you don't HAVE to read it and it won't effect the current line of comics (Which I doubt you've ever read). QUIT being such as self entitled ass who can't let other people get there way.
3. Knight-Errant
  October 26, 2014
  Well, you could just not buy it. It's not costing you a dime. I'm not interested either, so I don't intend to buy the series.
mac326
October 25, 2014
How can this possibly be a bad thing? It won't affect any canon, even if it does suck it'll probably be really interesting. Plus if you ever watch the Batman and Robin special features it sheds some light on what went wrong behind the scenes and shows he really doesn't deserve all of the crap he gets.
i'm the arrow
October 26, 2014
Gonn be complete shit. I cant wait to buy them!

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This is an archive of Batman-News.com from 2010 to 2025. For the latest news, check out BatmanNews.com