The Batman franchise, based on the fictional superhero Batman who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics, has seen the release of various films. Created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger,[1] the character first starred in two serial films in the 1940s: Batman and Batman and Robin. The character also appeared in the 1966 film Batman, which was a feature film adaptation of the 1960s Batman TV series starring Adam West and Burt Ward, who also starred in the film. Toward the end of the 1980s, the Warner Bros. studio began producing a series of feature films starring Batman, beginning with the 1989 film Batman, directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton. Burton and Keaton returned for the 1992 sequel Batman Returns, and in 1995, Joel Schumacher directed Batman Forever with Val Kilmer as Batman. Schumacher also directed the 1997 sequel Batman & Robin, which starred George Clooney. Batman & Robin was poorly received by both critics and fans, leading to the cancellation of Batman Unchained.[2]
Following the cancellation of two further film proposals, the franchise was rebooted in 2005 with Batman Begins, directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Christian Bale. Nolan returned to direct two further installments through the release of The Dark Knight in 2008 and The Dark Knight Rises in 2012, with Bale reprising his role in both films. Both sequels earned over $1 billion worldwide, making Batman the second film franchise to have two of its films earn more than $1 billion worldwide.[3] Referred to as "the Dark Knight trilogy",[4] the critical acclaim and commercial success of Nolan's films have been credited with restoring widespread popularity to the superhero, with the second installment considered one of the best superhero movies of all time.
The series has grossed over $6.8 billion at the global box office, making it the ninth highest-grossing film franchise of all time. Batman has also appeared in multiple animated films, both as a starring character and as an ensemble character. While most animated films were released direct-to-video, the 1993 animated feature Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (based on the 1990s Batman: The Animated Series) and 2017's The Lego Batman Movie (a spin-off of 2014's The Lego Movie) were released theatrically. Having earned an unadjusted total of U.S. $2,783,118,504, the Batman series is the fourth-highest-grossing film series in North America.[8]
Batman was a 15-chapter serial film released in 1943 by Columbia Pictures and was the first appearance of the comic book character on film. The serial starred Lewis Wilson[9] as Batman and Douglas Croft as Robin. Being a World War II era production, the movie serial like many of this period was used as war-time propaganda and had an anti-Japanese bent with J. Carrol Naish playing the Japanese villain, an original character named Dr. Daka. Rounding out the cast were Shirley Patterson as Linda Page (Bruce Wayne's love interest), and William Austin as Alfred. The plot is based on Batman, a US government agent, attempting to defeat the Japanese agent Dr. Daka, at the height of World War II.
The film is notable for being the first filmed appearance of Batman and for providing two core elements of the Batman mythos.[10] The film introduced "The Bat's Cave" and the Grandfather clock entrance.[10] The name was altered to the Batcave for the comic. William Austin, who played Alfred, had a trim physique and sported a thin mustache, while the contemporary comic book version of Alfred was overweight and clean-shaven prior to the serial's release. The comics version of Alfred was altered to match that of Austin's, and has stayed that way.[10]
Batman and Robin was another 15-chapter serial film released in 1949 by Columbia Pictures. Robert Lowery played Batman, while Johnny Duncan played Robin. Supporting players included Jane Adams as Vicki Vale and veteran character actor Lyle Talbot as Commissioner Gordon.[11] The plot dealt with the Dynamic Duo facing off against the Wizard, a hooded villain whose identity remains a mystery throughout the serial until the end.
The film was directed by Leslie H. Martinson, who also directed for the series a pair of season one episodes: "The Penguin Goes Straight" and "Not Yet, He Ain't".[13]
1970s and 80s
In the late 1970s, Batman's popularity was waning.[14]CBS was interested in producing a Batman in Outer Space film. Producers Michael Uslan and Benjamin Melniker purchased the film rights of Batman from DC Comics on October 3, 1979. It was Uslan's wish "to make the definitive, dark, serious version of Batman, the way Bob Kane and Bill Finger had envisioned him in 1939. A creature of the night; stalking criminals in the shadows."[14]Richard Maibaum was approached to write a script with Guy Hamilton to direct, but the two turned down the offer. Uslan was unsuccessful with pitchingBatman to various movie studios because they wanted the film to be similar to the campy1960s TV series. Columbia Pictures and United Artists were among those to turn down the film.[15]
A disappointed Uslan then wrote a script titled Return of the Batman to give the film industry a better idea of his vision for the film. Uslan later compared its dark tone to that of The Dark Knight Returns, which his script pre-dated by six years.[14] In November 1979, producer Jon Peters and Casablanca FilmWorks, headed by Peter Guber, joined the project.[16] The four producers felt it was best to pattern the film's development after that of Superman (1978).[17] Uslan, Melniker and Guber pitched Batman to Universal Pictures, but the studio turned it down.[18] The project was publicly announced with a budget of $15 million in July 1980 at the Comic Art Convention in New York. Casablanca FilmWorks was absorbed into PolyGram Pictures in 1980. Guber and Peters left PolyGram Pictures in 1982 and took the Batman film rights with them, although PolyGram would retain at least 7.5% of the profits of said rights due to a contractual agreement.[16] Guber and Peters immediately set up shop at Warner Bros., which finally decided to accept Batman.[19]
Tom Mankiewicz completed a script titled The Batman in June 1983, focusing on Batman and Dick Grayson's origins, with the Joker and Rupert Thorne as villains, and Silver St. Cloud as the romantic interest.[20] Mankiewicz took inspiration from Steve Englehart's and Marshall Rogers's 1970s run in Detective Comics (later reprinted in the trade paperbackBatman: Strange Apparitions), (ISBN1-56389-500-5),[21] with Rogers himself being hired to provide concept art.[18]The Batman was then announced in late 1983 for a mid-1985 release date on a budget of $20 million. Originally, Mankiewicz had wanted an unknown actor for Batman, William Holden for James Gordon, David Niven as Alfred Pennyworth and Peter O'Toole as the Penguin, who Mankiewicz wanted to portray as a mobster with low body temperature.[19] Holden died in 1981 and Niven in 1983, so this would never come to pass. A number of filmmakers were attached to Mankiewicz' script, including Richard Rush, Ivan Reitman and Joe Dante.[22] Reitman wanted to cast Bill Murray as Batman. Eddie Murphy and Michael J. Fox were candidates for the role of Robin.[23] Nine rewrites were performed by nine separate writers. Most of them were based on Strange Apparitions. However, Mankiewicz's script was still being used to guide the project.[24]
Burton originally did not want to direct a sequel because of his mixed emotions over the previous film.[17]Sam Hamm's first script had the Penguin and Catwoman searching for hidden treasure.[32]Daniel Waters delivered a script that satisfied Burton, which convinced him to direct the film. Wesley Strick went uncredited for writing the shooting draft, deleting the Robin character, reworking the Penguin's characterization and "normalizing" all dialogue. Strick remained as the on-set writer throughout the production process and received top-billing screenplay credit the early trailers, while Waters had sole story credit.[33][34] Various A-list actresses lobbied hard for the role of Catwoman before Michelle Pfeiffer was cast, while Danny DeVito signed on to portray the Penguin.[35] Filming started at Warner Bros. in Burbank, California in June 1991. Batman Returns was released with financial success, but Warner Bros. was disappointed with the film's box office run because it earned less than its predecessor.[36] However, Batman Returns was released to generally positive reviews,[37] with praise for its action sequences, performances, Danny Elfman's score, effects and villains, although its dark tone and high level of violence for a PG-13 film was criticized.[36]McDonald's shut down its Happy Mealtie-in for Batman Returns.[38]
Although Batman Returns was a financial success, Warner Bros. felt the film should have made more money. The studio decided to change the direction of the Batman film series to be more mainstream. Joel Schumacher replaced Tim Burton as director, while Burton decided to stay on as producer.[39] However, Michael Keaton did not like the new direction the film series was heading in,[40] and was replaced by Val Kilmer as Batman. Chris O'Donnell was introduced as Robin, Jim Carrey starred as The Riddler, while Tommy Lee Jones starred as Two-Face. Filming started in September 1994,[39] and Schumacher found Kilmer and Jones difficult to work with.[41]Batman Forever was released on June 16, 1995, with financial success, earning over $350 million worldwide and three Academy Award nominations.[42] The film received mixed reviews from critics, with criticism directed towards the CGI, Kilmer's performance, costume designs and tonal departure from previous films, but praising the visuals, action sequences and performances of Carrey and Jones.[43]
Batman & Robin was released on June 20, 1997, and received primarily negative reviews.[49] Observers criticized the film for its toyetic and campy approach, and for homosexual innuendos added by Schumacher.[45][failed verification] The film was a financial success,[50] but remains the least commercially successful live-action Batman film. Batman & Robin received numerous nominations at the Razzie Awards[51] and ranks among the worst rated superhero films of all time.[52][53]
Proposals for a fifth film
Batman Unchained
During the filming of Batman & Robin, Warner Bros. was impressed with the dailies, prompting them to immediately hire Joel Schumacher to reprise his directing duties for a third film. Writer Akiva Goldsman, who worked on Batman Forever and Batman & Robin, turned down the chance to write the script.[48] In late 1996, Warner Bros. and Schumacher hired Mark Protosevich to write the script for a fifth Batman film. A projected mid-1999 release date was announced.[54]Los Angeles Times described their film as "continuing in the same vein with multiple villains and more silliness".[55] Schumacher, however, later claimed that the film would have been darker and closer in tone to the first two films in the series.[56] Titled Batman Unchained but often incorrectly referred to as Batman Triumphant,[2] Protosevich's script had the Scarecrow as the main villain and the Joker would return as a hallucination in Batman's mind caused by the Scarecrow's fear toxin. Harley Quinn would appear as a supporting character, written as the Joker's daughter trying to kill Batman to avenge her father's death.[57] The film would have depicted the Scarecrow and Harley Quinn teaming up to drive Batman insane and have him committed to Arkham Asylum. After their defeat, the film would have ended with Bruce Wayne traveling to Bali and entering a cave, where he allows himself to be swarmed by bats to symbolize that he has conquered fear.[56] Clooney, O'Donnell, and Silverstone were set to reprise the roles of Batman, Robin, and Batgirl.[58] Schumacher had also approached Nicolas Cage for the role of Scarecrow in Batman & Robin as a cameo appearance to set up an appearance in Batman Unchained,[59] before ultimately casting Coolio.[60]
A fifth film would likely have appeared 18 months to two years after the fourth. When Batman & Robin received negative reviews and failed to outgross any of its predecessors, and a $150 million Superman film was canceled three months before shooting began, Warner Bros. became unsure of its plans for the fifth film.
Batman: DarKnight
Despite Warner Bros. and Schumacher's interest with Year One, Lee Shapiro, a comic book fan, and Stephen Wise pitched the studio with a script titled Batman: DarKnight in mid-1998. DarKnight, which was largely inspired by The Dark Knight Returns, had Bruce Wayne giving up his crime fighting career after becoming disillusioned with his alias's inability to inspire fear and mystique in his enemies, and Dick Grayson attending Gotham University.[61]Dr. Jonathan Crane uses his position as professor of psychology at Gotham University and as head psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum to conduct his fear experiments (this element would later appear in Batman Begins). During a vengeful confrontation with a colleague, Dr. Kirk Langstrom, Crane unknowingly initiates Kirk's transformation into the creature known as Man-Bat. Citizens of Gotham believe Man-Bat's nightly activities to be Batman's "bloodthirsty" return. Bruce once again becomes Batman "to clear his name," and solve the mystery of Man-Bat.[61] Kirk struggles with his "man-vs.-monster" syndrome, as he longs to both reunite with his wife and get revenge on Crane, while Crane exacts revenge on those responsible for his dismissal from both Arkham and the university while encountering truths about his past. As with Schumacher's idea for Batman Unchained, the film would have had a darker tone.[56] Warner Bros. Pictures formally decided not to move forward with the project in 2001, and passed on Batman: DarKnight in favor of other projects.[56][61] In 2015, the screenplay was released on Amazon.[62]
Robin spin-off
Chris O'Donnell revealed in a 2012 interview with Access Hollywood that a Robin spin-off had been considered; the project was canceled after Batman & Robin.[63]
Batgirl
In December 2021, Keaton was revealed to be appearing in the DC Extended Universe film Batgirl, reprising his role from Batman and Batman Returns.[64] Keaton had been expected to first reprise the role for the DCEU in The Flash prior to that film's delay to 2023. Batgirl was ultimately canceled in post-production.
The Batman OnStar commercials were a series of six television commercials featuring Batman, created by ad-agency Campbell-Ewald and aired from 2000 to the beginning of 2002.[65]
The ads were based on the Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher films of the 1980s and 1990s, and used aesthetics, props, and settings from the series, in addition to the Elfman theme from the Tim Burton films. Actor Bruce Thomas portrayed Batman in these ads, while Michael Gough reprised his role of Alfred Pennyworth in one of the ads. Baywatch actress Brooke Burns played Vicki Vale in an ad as well. Actor Brian Stepanek played the Riddler in one ad and Curtis Armstrong played the Joker in another.[66]
Goldsman's draft, dated June 21, 2002, had Bruce Wayne going through a mental breakdown after his five-year retirement from crime fighting. Dick Grayson, Alfred Pennyworth, and Commissioner Gordon are all dead, but Bruce finds some solace in his fiancée, Elizabeth Miller. Meanwhile, Clark Kent is struggling because of a recent divorce from Lois Lane. Clark and Bruce are close friends, and Clark is Bruce's best man. After the Joker kills Elizabeth on their honeymoon, Bruce swears revenge, while Clark tries to hold him back. Bruce blames Clark for her death, and the two go against one another. Ultimately, Lex Luthor is revealed to have masterminded the entire plot to get Batman and Superman to destroy each other. The two decide to team up and stop Luthor.[70] Bale was approached to portray Batman,[71] while Josh Hartnett was offered the role of Superman.[72]
Filming was to start in early 2003, with plans for a five- to six-month shoot. The release date was set for the summer of 2004.[55][73] However, Warner Bros. canceled development to focus on individual Superman and Batman projects after J. J. Abrams submitted another draft for Superman: Flyby.[74] According to Petersen "[Warner Bros.' chief] Alan Horn was so torn, because it's such a fascinating concept to do a Batman versus Superman film".[75] Horn reportedly preferred Abrams' optimistic Superman script to the darker Batman vs. Superman script; studio executives voted 11-1 for the former. Many comic book fans agreed; David S. Goyer said, "'Batman Vs. Superman' is where you go when you admit to yourself that you've exhausted all possibilities ... somewhat of an admission that this franchise is on its last gasp". Since the decision left the studio without a Batman film for 2004, Warner quickly made Catwoman, which performed poorly at the box office and is considered among the worst films ever made.[55]
Batman Beyond
The studio decided it was best to consider a live-action Batman Beyond film[55] and an adaptation of Frank Miller's Batman: Year One. Warner Bros. would then greenlight whichever idea suited them the most.[69] By September 2000, Warner Bros. was developing a live action screen adaptation of Batman Beyond, written by Paul Dini, Neal Stephenson and Boaz Yakin, with the possibility of Yakin directing.[76]
Despite interest from Schumacher, the studio amazed and pleased fans by hiring Darren Aronofsky to direct and co-write with Miller,[77][76][55] whom he previously collaborated with on an unproduced script for Ronin.[78] Yakin developed one draft of the Batman Beyond screenplay with the writers but soon lost interest.[79]
Batman: Year One
Warner Bros. abandoned Batman Beyond almost instantly in favor of an adaptation of Frank Miller's 1987 comic book story arc Batman: Year One.[69] After Batman and Robin, Schumacher felt he "owe[d] the Batman culture a real Batman movie. I would go back to the basics and make a dark portrayal of the Dark Knight."[77] He had approached Warner Bros. to adapt Batman: Year One in mid-1998.[77] Aronofsky and Miller intended to reboot the Batman franchise, "it's somewhat based on the comic book," Aronofsky said. "Toss out everything you can imagine about Batman! Everything! We're starting completely anew."[80] Regular Aronofsky collaborator, Matthew Libatique, was set as cinematographer.[81] At the same time, Warner Bros. was moving forward on a Catwoman spin-off.[82]
Christian Bale had been approached for the role of Batman. Bale would later be cast in the role for Batman Begins.[83] Aronofsky pursued Joaquin Phoenix for the lead role while Warner Bros. favored Freddie Prinze, Jr. The Aronofsky-Miller script had a brooding Batman and realistic violence, and would also have been R-rated.[84]
The studio decided to abandon the film due to creative differences between Aronofsky and Miller.[85]
In February 2007, during pre-production for The Dark Knight, Warner Bros. hired husband and wife screenwriting duo Michelle and Kieran Mulroney to script a Justice League film[86] featuring a younger Batman in a separate franchise.[87]George Miller was hired to direct the following September,[88] with Armie Hammer cast as Batman a month later[89][90] and Teresa Palmer as Talia al Ghul.[91] Filming had nearly commenced at Fox Studios Australia in Sydney, but was pushed back over the Writers Guild of America strike, and once more when the Australian Film Commission denied Warner Bros. a 45 percent tax rebate over lack of Australian actors in the film.[92] Production offices were moved to Vancouver Film Studios in Canada for an expected July 2008 start and a planned summer 2009 theatrical release date,[93][94] but Warner Bros. ultimately canceled Justice League following the success of The Dark Knight. Hammer's option on his contract lapsed and the studio was more willing to proceed with Christopher Nolan to finish his trilogy separately with The Dark Knight Rises.[95]
According to Christopher Nolan, Christian Bale (who portrayed Batman from 2005 to 2012) had "exactly the balance of darkness and light that we were looking for."[99]
The film begins with the death of Bruce's parents and then explores his decision to leave Gotham and his training under the League of Shadows, with Ra's al Ghul, before he rebels against the League and adopts the guise of Batman, recognising that he cannot condone their use of lethal force. The League attempt to attack Gotham using Jonathan Crane's weaponised fear toxin, but Batman is able to defeat them.
Batman Begins was both critically and commercially successful. The film opened on June 15, 2005, in the United States and Canada in 3,858 theaters. It grossed $48 million in its opening weekend, eventually grossing over $372 million worldwide. The film received an 85% overall approval rating from Rotten Tomatoes. Critics noted that fear was a common motif throughout the film, and remarked that it had a darker tone compared with previous Batman films. The film was listed at No. 81 on Empire's "500 Greatest Movies of All Time".[108]
On January 22, 2008, after he had completed filming The Dark Knight, Ledger died from an accidental overdose of prescription medication. Warner Bros. had created a viral marketing campaign for The Dark Knight, developing promotional websites and trailers highlighting screen shots of Ledger as the Joker, but after Ledger's death, the studio refocused its promotional campaign.[109][110]
The film depicts Batman fighting The Joker, aided by the prosecution of charismatic District Attorney Harvey Dent. The Joker tests Batman's resolve when he causes Rachel's death and Dent's transformation into the disfigured criminal Two-Face. Although Batman is able to stop the Joker from forcing two ferries - one loaded with civilians and the other with prisoners - to destroy each other, he is forced to take the blame for the murders committed by Dent to ensure that Gotham's citizens do not lose hope for the future.
The Dark Knight received broad critical acclaim,[111][112][113] and set numerous records during its theatrical run.[114] With just over $1 billion in revenue worldwide, it became the 4th-highest-grossing film of all time, unadjusted for inflation.[115] The film received eight Academy Award nominations; it won the award for Best Sound Editing and Ledger was posthumously awarded Best Supporting Actor. Critics and film writers often cite The Dark Knight as one of the best films of the 2000s and all time, with it frequently being hailed as one of the greatest superhero films ever.[b]
Nolan wanted the story for the third and final installment to keep him emotionally invested. "On a more superficial level, I have to ask the question," he reasoned, "how many good third movies in a franchise can people name?"[127] He returned out of finding a necessary way to continue the story, but feared midway through filming he would find a sequel redundant.[128]The Dark Knight Rises is intended to complete Nolan's Batman trilogy.[129] By December 2008, Nolan completed a rough story outline, before he committed himself to Inception.[130] In February 2010, work on the screenplay was commencing with David S. Goyer and Jonathan Nolan.[131] When Goyer left to work on the Superman reboot, Jonathan was writing the script based on the story by his brother and Goyer.[132]Tom Hardy was cast as Bane and Anne Hathaway plays Selina Kyle.[133]Joseph Gordon-Levitt was cast as Robin John Blake,[134][135] and Marion Cotillard was cast as Miranda Tate. Filming began in May 2011 and concluded in November.[136] Nolan chose not to film in 3-D but, by focusing on improving image quality and scale using the IMAX format, hoped to push technological boundaries while nevertheless making the style of the film consistent with the previous two.[137] Nolan had several meetings with IMAX Vice-President David Keighley to work on the logistics of projecting films in digital IMAX venues.[138]The Dark Knight Rises featured more scenes shot in IMAX than The Dark Knight.[138] Cinematographer Wally Pfister expressed interest in shooting the film entirely in IMAX.[139][140]
During the film, set eight years after TheDark Knight, the arrival of new foe Bane forces Bruce to return to his old role as Batman, only to find himself overpowered and captured by Bane as Gotham is cut off from the rest of the world with a stolen Wayne Enterprises fusion generator prototype set to go off in a few months. With the aid of thief Selina Kyle, Bruce is able to return to Gotham and defeat Bane while redeeming his image as Batman. The film concludes with Bruce having 'retired' as Batman after faking his death to live with Selina Kyle, evidence suggesting that he has passed on the Batcave to Blake while Gotham rebuilds in memory of the Dark Knight's heroism.
Upon release, The Dark Knight Rises received a positive critical response and was successful at the box office, going on to outgross its predecessor and become the 24th-highest-grossing film of all time grossing over $1.08 billion. It was named one of the best films of 2012 by numerous film critics, including the American Film Institute.[141] It is considered one of the greatest superhero films of all time[142][143] and one of the best films of the 2010s.[144][145][146]
On June 13, 2013, a source from Warner Bros. told The Wrap that they were discussing more Man of Steel films, as well as a Superman/Batman film, Wonder Woman, and Aquaman.[147] Warner Bros. announced that Superman and Batman would unite in a new film, a follow-up to Man of Steel (2013), taking its inspiration from the comic The Dark Knight Returns and set for release in 2015.[148][149][150] Goyer stated at the Superman 75th Anniversary Panel at Comic-Con, that Batman and Superman would face off, and titles under consideration were Superman vs Batman or Batman vs Superman.[151] On August 22, 2013, The Hollywood Reporter announced the casting of Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne/Batman.[152][153] On January 17, 2014, it was announced that the film had been delayed from its original July 17, 2015, release date to May 6, 2016, in order to give the filmmakers "time to realize fully their vision, given the complex visual nature of the story".[154] The film's release was moved again to March 25, 2016, "avoiding a high-profile showdown with Captain America: Civil War on May 6, 2016".[155]
At some point prior to the events of the film, Wayne Manor has decayed, and Bruce and Alfred relocated to a smaller glass house above the Batcave. During the film, Lex Luthor manipulates Batman into perceiving Superman as an enemy, and at the same time kidnaps Martha Kent and demands Superman to kill Batman in exchange of Martha's life. Batman fights and nearly kills Superman with kryptonite weapons, but when a weak Superman pleads to Batman that he's "letting him kill Martha", a confused Batman remembers the death of his own mother, who shares the name. This confuses Batman enough time so Lois Lane arrives and explains the situation. Seeing how hard he has fallen, Batman saves Martha Kent from Luthor's minions, and then fights alongside Superman and Wonder Woman to contain the Kryptonian deformity Luthor created to kill Superman. Taking Luthor's metahuman files, Bruce states that he intends to gather the metahumans to prepare for an implied future threat.
Shortly after filming had finished for Man of Steel, Warner Bros hired Will Beall to script a new Justice League film in June 2012.[156] With the release of Man of Steel in June 2013, Goyer was hired to write a new Justice League script, with the Beall draft being scrapped.[157] In April 2014, it was announced that Zack Snyder would also be directing Goyer's Justice League script.[158] Warner Bros. was reportedly courting Chris Terrio to rewrite Justice League the following July, after having been impressed with his rewrite of Batman v Superman.[159] During post-production of the film, Zack Snyder left the film due to the death of his daughter.[160]Joss Whedontook over the project and wrote and directed reshoots.[160]
As part of the ensemble cast, Bruce Wayne serves as something of a leader to the Justice League. Additionally, he spearheads efforts to revive Superman in preparation for the upcoming assault from Steppenwolf, and brings Lois Lane to help calm down the enraged reanimated Superman.
The divisive reaction toward the final cut of Justice League, with Zack Snyder leaving directorial duties and the final cut of the film in the hands of Joss Whedon, has led to an argument comparing the situation to the one experienced by the film Superman II. Both Justice League and Superman II feature a director that was replaced, for different reasons, before the completion of a film, which led to a second director coming in and making substantial changes to the tone of each film. Although the reasoning behind each director's departure differs, Richard Donner was able to complete his cut of Superman II in 2005.[161] In the belief that Snyder had shot enough material for a finished film, a campaign for a "Snyder Cut" was started to allow Snyder to receive a similar treatment to Donner. Arguments are made that Snyder's vision would be more cohesive to the previous films than the actual theatrical cut, which Snyder has refused to see. Warner Bros. initially remained silent regarding any intention of making a "Snyder Cut".[162] In March 2019, Snyder confirmed his original cut does exist, and stated that it is up to Warner Bros. to release it.[163] Despite this, in November, Variety reported that Warner Bros. was unlikely to release Snyder's version of Justice League in theaters or on HBO Max, calling it a "pipe dream".[164] In December, however, Snyder posted a photo in his Vero account, which showed boxes with tapes labeled "Z.S. J.L Director's cut", and with the caption "Is it real? Does it exist? Of course it does."[165] On May 20, 2020, Snyder officially announced that HBO Max will be releasing his cut of Justice League on their service in 2021.[166] The cut would cost $70+ million to complete the special effects, musical score, editing, and additional shooting. While initially planned to be a four part miniseries, it was later clarified the cut would be released as a four hour long movie.[167][168][169][170][171] Snyder stated this version will be non-canonical to DC Extended Universe continuity, but it would exist in a slightly alternate universe.[172] Affleck, Miller, Fisher, Heard, and Manganiello returned to their respective roles for additional photography, in order to finish the project, with Jared Leto also reprising his role as The Joker from Suicide Squad.[173][174]
In June 2020, Michael Keaton entered talks to reprise his role from the Tim Burton Batman films in the DCEU film The Flash, released in 2023. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Warner Bros. hoped for Keaton to return for multiple DCEU films in a way "akin to the role played by Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, something of a mentor or guide or even string-puller."[175] In August 2020, Keaton officially signed on, with Ben Affleck also announced to be reprising his version of the character for the film. Affleck stated that his scenes in the film were his favorite as the character.[176][177] Along with Keaton and Affleck playing Batman in different timelines, George Clooney makes a cameo as Bruce Wayne in the closing scene. Adam West makes a posthumous appearance as Batman through the use of CGI and archive footage.
Cameos (2016–2023)
In addition to major roles, Batman has made various cameo appearances in other DCEU films.
In Suicide Squad (2016), Batman appears in brief flashbacks depicting the arrests of Floyd Lawton / Deadshot and Harley Quinn. He rescues Harley from a submerged car after pursuing her and the Joker, and apprehends Deadshot while he is shopping with his daughter. Batman's history with Killer Croc is also referenced. At the film's conclusion, Amanda Waller—who appears to know that Bruce Wayne is Batman—provides Bruce with files on various metahumans in exchange for his protection from future fallout from the Enchantress' recent attack. Bruce tells Waller to shut down Task Force X, as his "friends" will handle future problems.[178]
Although he does not appear, Bruce Wayne is mentioned in Wonder Woman (2017). After the events of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Bruce successfully retrieves the photo from Luthor's archives which he used to threaten Diana Prince, along with a watch that belonged to the father of Captain Steve Trevor. He transports them through an armored car to Diana, with a letter wishing to know her story someday. Diana recalls the events of the film as a flashback, after which she sends an e-mail to Bruce that reads "Thanks for bringing him back to me".[179]
Bill Dean voices a toy version of Batman in Shazam! (2019).[180]
Joker, directed by Todd Phillips,[181] is set during the 1980s, where a failed stand-up comedian named Arthur Fleck turns to a life of crime and chaos in Gotham City and calls himself Joker.[182] Bruce Wayne, a child portrayed by Dante Pereira-Olson, encounters Fleck when the latter attempts and fails to gain entry into Wayne Manor. Fleck later sees Bruce in a darkened alley with the remains of his parents, who had been fatally shot by an assailant who wears a clown mask.
A sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux, is scheduled to be released on October 4, 2024. It will introduce Harley Quinn, played by Lady Gaga.
In February 2017, Matt Reeves was hired to direct The Batman (2022), replacing Ben Affleck who wrote the original script until it was replaced by Reeves and Peter Craig. Reeves initially had plans to keep The Batman in the DCEU; however, due to creative differences, the film would focus on a younger Batman, ultimately serving as a reboot from the one seen in the DCEU. In May 2019, Robert Pattinson was cast as Bruce Wayne / Batman. In 2020, DC Films president Walter Hamada stated that there would be two Batmans existing simultaneously in a multiverse.
After filmmaker James Gunn and producer Peter Safran were appointed in October 2022 to serve as the co-chairmen and co-CEOs of the then-newly formed DC Studios to develop plans for a new DC shared universe slate, Gunn stated in December that Batman would be "a big part of the DC Universe (DCU)".[187] A film featuring Bruce Wayne / Batman and Damian Wayne / Robin titled The Brave and the Bold was revealed to be in development at DC Studios in January 2023, as the third installment of the upcoming DCU film slate. It will exist separately from future projects in Matt Reeves' The Batman franchise. It is also based on Grant Morrison's run of Batman from 2006 to 2013.[188] In June 2023, Andy Muschietti was confirmed as the director of the film ahead of the release of The Flash later that month, with his sister Barbara set to produce through their production company Double Dream alongside Gunn and Safran.[189]The Flash writer Christina Hodson, who is a member of the DCU's writer's room, was being eyed to write the film but chose to work on a Fast & Furious film instead.[190]
2017: The character receives his own spin-off film, The Lego Batman Movie, voiced again by Arnett. This film takes place in a universe where all of the previous live-action films, as well as some animated series, the preceding film, and the 1966 TV series (which the film mocks in multiple instances) have somehow happened.[233] Despite this, the film works as an origin story for both Robin and Batgirl, and is established in Lego Dimensions to be set in the Lego DC universe, distinct from The Lego Movie universe.
^ abcdBatman Forever. Additionally, Ramsey Ellis portrays Bruce Wayne as a child.
^Batman & Robin. Additionally, Eric Lloyd portrays Bruce Wayne as a child.
^Additionally, Gus Lewis portrays Bruce Wayne as a child in Batman Begins, and in archival footage used in The Dark Knight Rises. Hynden Walch voices Bruce as a child in Gotham Knight.
^In Joker, an unnamed rioter murders Bruce Wayne's parents in a manner that heavily mirrors their deaths in the comics and various media. The actor who portrays the murderer is uncredited.
^This incarnation of Barbara Gordon uses the last name Wilson as opposed to Gordon.
^In The Dark Knight, the character is unnamed, only credited as "Gordon's Daughter," with the name "Barbara Gordon" only being used for James Gordon's wife.
^Michael Reid MacKay portrays Antonio Diego in Batman & Robin, a serial killer who is transformed into Bane.
Additionally, President pro tempore of the United States SenatePatrick Leahy has a brief role as himself in Batman Forever and Batman & Robin, an unnamed Wayne Enterprise board member in The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises, and as Senator Purrington in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.[237]
Reception
Box office performance
With a total gross of over $6.83 billion at the global box office, the series is ninth highest-grossing film franchise of all time. Domestically, Batman films have grossed U.S. $3,158,097,126, making the franchise the fourth-highest-grossing film series in North America.[238] Critical reception of the modern films has varied throughout its different eras. The Dark Knight, from Christopher Nolan's trilogy, is considered one of the best superhero movies ever, while Batman and Robin is considered one of the worst. The Dark Knight Rises is the highest-grossing Batman movie, grossing $1,081,041,287 worldwide, while Batman and Robin is the lowest-grossing film to feature Batman, at $238,207,122 worldwide.
Of the 1980s and 1990s, Tim Burton's films received positive critical reviews for their return of the character to a more serious portrayal, though some felt that Batman Returns was too dark. Joel Schumacher's two films received mixed reviews, particularly Batman and Robin, which has the lowest aggregate scores out of any film in the series. Conversely, the films in Christopher Nolan's trilogy of the 2000s and 2010s have the highest scores on review aggregation websites of the live-action feature films with The Dark Knight receiving a 94% from Rotten Tomatoes and an 84 from Metacritic. Batman's newer iterations in the 2010s DCEU received mixed reviews from critics.
The series' theatrically released animated movies have a large critical disparity, with Mask of the Phantasm and The Lego Batman Movie being well-received while Batman: The Killing Joke received mixed reviews.
Accolades
The films in the series have received numerous accolades, including having been nominated for a total of 29 Academy Awards, of which they won five; 36 British Academy Film Awards, of which they won four; and 58 Saturn Awards, of which they won 13.
^ abStarting with the 93rd Academy Awards (2021), the Best Sound Mixing and Best Sound Editing categories were consolidated into a single Best Sound category.
^Hanke, Ken (1999). "Going Batty in Britain". Tim Burton: An Unauthorized Biography of the Filmmaker. Renaissance Books. pp. 75–85. 1-58063-162-2.
^Englehat, Steve. "Batman". SteveEnglehart.com. Archived from the original on December 14, 2007. Retrieved November 25, 2007. So I got to do the second treatment with just the characters that eventually hit the screen: Bruce Wayne, the Batman, Silver St. Cloud, Boss Thorne, and the Joker.
^Richards, Olly (September 1992). "Trouble in Gotham". Empire. pp. 21–23.
^ ab"Batman 3". Entertainment Weekly. October 1, 1993. Archived from the original on September 21, 2008. Retrieved August 16, 2008.
^Gordinier, Jeff (July 15, 1994). "Next at Batman". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on September 21, 2008. Retrieved August 16, 2008.
^Svetkey, Benjamin (July 12, 1996). "Holy Happy Set!". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on September 7, 2008. Retrieved August 16, 2008.
^Fleming, Michael (February 21, 1997). "Helmer's 3rd At Bat". Variety. Archived from the original on February 12, 2012. Retrieved October 17, 2008.
^ abcdefgGreenberg, James (May 8, 2005). "Rescuing Batman". Los Angeles Times. p. E-10. Archived from the original on December 2, 2008. Retrieved May 11, 2019.
^Burt, Kayti; Zutter, Natalie; Bojalad, Alec; Kaye, Don; Sokol, Tony; Crow, David (December 30, 2019). "100 Best Movies of the Decade". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on March 22, 2020. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
^Solomon, Aubrey (1989). Twentieth Century Fox: A Corporate and Financial History (The Scarecrow Filmmakers Series). Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press. p. 254. ISBN978-0-8108-4244-1.
^"Big Rental Pictures of 1966". Variety. January 4, 1967. p. 8.
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