Schumacher's Original Batman Forever Idea Was Way Better
Joel Schumacher's original idea for the much-maligned Batman Forever would have made the film not just darker but much better. After the success of Tim Burton's Batman in 1989, its 1992 sequel Batman Returns was moderately less successful. This prompted Warner Bros. to select Joel Schumacher to helm their next Batman movie, eventually leading to the exit of Michael Keaton from the titular role. He was replaced with Val Kilmer, and Batman Forever was made.
Alongside Kilmer's version of the hero, Batman Forever introduced other well-known Batman characters Robin (Chris O'Donnell), The Riddler (Jim Carrey), and Two-Face (Tommy Lee Jones). It also deviated from the darker tone set by Burton's two Batman movies, taking a more cartoonish approach to the source material. This is ultimately what led to the film's mixed reception with critics, and also ensured that Batman Forever would be remembered as one of the worst live-action Batman movies ever made (second to 1997's Batman & Robin).
Related: Did Christian Bale Audition To Play Batman Forever's Robin? (Rumor Explained)
However, director Joel Schumacher's original vision for the film was a darker and more considered approach to its characters. Schumacher's intention was to show Kilmer's Batman struggling with guilt over his parent's death and going into crisis regarding the impact of Batman on Gotham. Many such scenes were shot, but never made it into the finished film — if they had, Batman Forever would have been a much better movie.
Reportedly, Joel Schumacher originally wanted Batman Forever to more deeply explore the psyche of Bruce Wayne by having him enter a crisis over his role as Batman and guilt over his parents' death. This would have shown Batman Forever's Batman
Read more on screenrant.com
