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Director Joel Schumacher Says, "Val Kilmer Was The Best Batman"

Director Joel Schumacher Says, "Val Kilmer Was The Best <em>Batman</em>"

The director that almost killed the Batman franchise with 1997's Batman and Robin has high praise for an actor that he used to vilify in the media.

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By THABATMAN - 10/12/2011


The director and star infamously clashed on the set. Some rumors even suggest physical altercations took place between the two. Schumacher was so dismayed by Kilmer that, after Warner Bros. released him from his Batman contract and George Clooney was recast as the Caped Crusader for Batman & Robin, the filmmaker told Premiere, “Val is the most psychologically troubled human being I’ve ever worked with. The tools I used working with him — tools of communication, of patience and understanding — were the tools I use on my 5-year-old godson. Val is not just high-strung. I think he needs help.”

What a difference the years make. Schumacher now tells IFC, "For me, Val Kilmer was the best Batman. I thought he looked great in the costume, and I thought he brought a depth to the role. I thought the relationship between Val and Nicole Kidman was very sexy. Jim Carrey, of course, was the perfect Riddler. And then I had the great Tommy Lee Jones and a lot of other great people are in that movie."

Source: www.ifc.com
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132 Comments
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PartyHard - 10/12/2011, 1:40 PM
Great director. Great movies.
RidiculousFanBoyDemands - 10/12/2011, 1:42 PM
Interesting, from everything that was reported about this movie, Val Kilmer was impossible to work with. He apparently didn't memorize lines, didn't want Robin, and showed up to production out of shape. He also complained that Jim Carey and Tommy Lee Jones were the focal point of the movie. I wonder what changed his mind.
marvel72 - 10/12/2011, 1:43 PM
keaton nuff said.
CaptainTall - 10/12/2011, 2:19 PM
Joel Schumacher is an awesome director...



Probably one of the most beautiful movies I've ever seen. (In case the picture didn't post, it's the poster to Phantom Of The Opera.)
UnscrupalousSmurf - 10/12/2011, 2:21 PM
I agree that Val was the perfect blend of Bats and Bruce. Keaton was a sad, balding, little shrimp. There was no way that he would have been able to kick anyone’s ass realistically. Clooney was clownish, and Bale is too over the top.
CaptainTall - 10/12/2011, 2:21 PM
jimmytheginger - 10/12/2011, 2:22 PM
that is messed up, no Adam West on that picture :^\ give respect where respect is due. i love campy like the new power ranger looking avenger movie!
MrFloZeke - 10/12/2011, 2:24 PM
I agree that Kilmer was awesome. But second to Bale. Keaton, third. Screw Clooney.
nld3 - 10/12/2011, 2:24 PM
I agree Kilmer was the best Batman.
OdinsBeard - 10/12/2011, 2:25 PM
He was great. But im sorry, Michael Keaton, and Christian Bale > Kilmer
nuck82 - 10/12/2011, 2:26 PM
kilmer was good, i liked him, but still keaton was the man!!
BooYah - 10/12/2011, 2:28 PM
I don't care what any of you say best Batman is Bale, cancer voice and all.
arekusandora - 10/12/2011, 2:29 PM
He was the most handsome Bruce Wayne, and has always been my fave. Bale, I just can't stand the guy for some reason.
tj1989 - 10/12/2011, 2:30 PM
I know everyone says keaton but i never liked him as batman because i thought he was to small and didn't really seem like a batman to me, christian bale is the best batman in my mind.
Woodinator - 10/12/2011, 2:30 PM
I've always said Val was the Best Batman... and the WORST Bruce Wayne.
PaulRom - 10/12/2011, 2:31 PM
1. Kevin Conroy
2. Christian Bale
3. Michael Keaton
4. Val Kilmer
5. Adam West
6. George Clooney
hush - 10/12/2011, 2:32 PM
Adam West was a better Batman than Kilmer
hoodedjester - 10/12/2011, 2:33 PM
I prefer Keaton - he had the most intimidating eyes and smirk when he wore the cowl. Just look at the pic - he looks the most ready to beat the #%$@ out of someone
hush - 10/12/2011, 2:34 PM
1. Conroy
2. Keaton
3. Bale
4. West
5. Kilmer

I don't regard Clooney as playing either Bruce or Batman. The suit does not make the man.

Bat-nipples *shudders*
CaptainDC - 10/12/2011, 2:34 PM
I loved Val Kilmer, he was great! Although he was great, Nolans film gives Bale an unfair edge.
Here's my list:
1) Christian Bale
2) Val Kilmer
3) Michael Keaton
4) Adam West
5) George Clooney
cypher - 10/12/2011, 2:34 PM
Keaton is still my fav (but I'm old). But is it just me, or does clooney kinda look like the better batman in costume. I'm gonna get murdered for sayin that ain't I?
marvel72 - 10/12/2011, 2:35 PM
@ tj1989

hugh jackman was too tall for wolverine.
dnno1 - 10/12/2011, 2:36 PM
They will find a better actor in the future.
sheebz - 10/12/2011, 2:41 PM
i gotta admit, kilmer was my fave. he had the best lips

@booyah...lol cancer voice...so true
NextHero08 - 10/12/2011, 2:42 PM
Kilmer was a great batman. Had everything that he needed to be both Batman and Bruce Wayne, but Keaton is still better. He is the Dark Knight, not the Neon Knight.
RichardTheNerd - 10/12/2011, 2:43 PM
This man is a hack who killed Batman.
rbfn04 - 10/12/2011, 2:45 PM
Looks wise, prolly Clooney. Acting wise, Keaton, no doubt. Kilmer looked like a pansy in thecostume.
jackdawak - 10/12/2011, 2:47 PM
Keaton LOOKED like Batman....Keaton was awesome
unclebuck99 - 10/12/2011, 2:47 PM
i could see kilmer as batman in nolanverse but keaton was a cold blooded killer."carrey was the best riddler" we still haven't got a proper riddler what a joke
ComicBookGoth - 10/12/2011, 2:49 PM
Clooney was tge best PlayBoy Bruce Wayne.
Keaton had the best attitude as Bats.
Bale had the best suit.(Begins, not TDK)


Bottom Line...

Kevin Konroy is Batman.


He is also Vengeance & The Night.


Just incase you where wondering.
CherryBomb - 10/12/2011, 2:50 PM
I agree, I used to have a huge crush on Val back when he was Batman, I loved him. (:
scmittydude - 10/12/2011, 2:52 PM
I agree he played it the best. He was the only one that played it as two roles, both batman and Bruce Wayne. Bale is just bale in a rubber suit and a stupid voice
OverCross - 10/12/2011, 2:52 PM
ComicBookGoth - 10/12/2011, 2:54 PM
*Conroy*

F*ck!
Bring back the edit button.
Metalogan - 10/12/2011, 3:02 PM
Konroy and Keaton should merge and form the ultimate batman!
GUNSMITH - 10/12/2011, 3:02 PM
TOSS UP BETWEEN BALE AND KEATON..C'MON..... KILMER......REALLY?
Moonwalker1991 - 10/12/2011, 3:02 PM
Christian Bale and Michael Keaton. Best actors to portray the Dark Knight. Kilmer was okay, but definitely not the best. Back in the day it was different though.
OhGawDuhhh - 10/12/2011, 3:02 PM
I was actually looking forward to Armie Hammer's take on Bruce/Batman. That would have been cool, seeing him interact with the Justice League. I agree, I used to have a huge crush on Cherry Bomb back when I was/am 25, I loved her. (:
gillri - 10/12/2011, 3:03 PM
Bale is the best Wayne for sure

Keaton is the best Batman, Bale second

lets not talk about the other two
Gusto - 10/12/2011, 3:10 PM
No way! Mayor Chapstick was!
alucard365 - 10/12/2011, 3:15 PM
1 Christian Bale

2 Christian Bale

3 Christian Bale
jimoakley666 - 10/12/2011, 3:21 PM
Schumacher knows [frick] all about [frick] all. Nah, I kid. He directed one of my favourite films of all time; the amazing Falling Down.
RyanLantern77 - 10/12/2011, 3:23 PM
ok Joel... keep telling yourself that

- Oh So Thats What a Blue Waffle Is
see more Gifs
jimoakley666 - 10/12/2011, 3:25 PM
I think it's odd that in all the movies they went for the black makeup / paint around his eyes. But they never show him putting it on or taking it off.

And in Returns, Keaton tears his mask off to show Catwoman who he is and it disappears between shots.
mattattack - 10/12/2011, 3:25 PM
I'm all about Keaton as batman so no.
TheAmarilloBlack - 10/12/2011, 3:27 PM
@jim
I think they want us to think it's a shadow effect. I know, that's ridiculous but so was Batman scratching a cd as you would a record in the Returns.
Otisburg - 10/12/2011, 3:38 PM
they all suck.
thedude2936 - 10/12/2011, 3:48 PM
The best Batmen in my opinion are as follows
1. Kevin Conroy
2. Christian Bale
3. Michael Keaton
4. Val Kilmer
5. Adam West
6. That guy that played him in the 1940's serial
7. George Clooney
xXkryptoniteXx - 10/12/2011, 3:53 PM
1. Kevin Conroy
2. Micheal Keaton
3. Christian Bale (his Bruce a better Bruce Wayne the his batman)
4. Val kilmer
5. George clooney
6. Adam west (never liked his batman, BUt respect what his show is for what the age it came out)
Crossbones - 10/12/2011, 3:55 PM
I'm sorry I've seen the batman movies from Tim Burton's batman to The Nolan trilogy and Christian Bale is the best batman
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