10 Mind-Blowing Batman Movie Secrets

One of the most enduring film series in history, featuring Batman – the crime-fighting vigilante – has been consistently active since his live-action introduction in Tim Burton’s 1989 movie (excluding the 1966 film based on the TV show). Each phase has had its moments of glory and periods of disappointment. While Burton’s Batman and Batman Returns are often remembered fondly, Joel Schumacher’s Batman Forever and especially Batman & Robin were disappointments. Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy started strong with great promise, even featuring a masterpiece in its midst, but ended on a somewhat overextended note with The Dark Knight Rises. In the DCEU, Ben Affleck proved to be a good choice for Batman, but was consistently undermined by subpar writing.

As a cinema aficionado, I must confess that sometimes, the Batman movies don’t quite live up to their full potential. Yet, there’s one thing about them that never fails to captivate me – the intriguing behind-the-scenes tales. Even a film as complex as “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” carries at least one fascinating tidbit that even the most ardent fans are aware of, and I believe any movie enthusiast should know too. What you’re about to read are the most intriguing facts from each era – from Burton and Nolan to the DCEU. Will Matt Reeves’ saga unearth more? It seems plausible…if a sequel to the 2022 film ever manages to make it to the silver screen.

Billy Dee Williams’ Harvey Dent Would Have Been Two-Face in Tim Burton’s Batman 3

Unfortunately, Billy Dee Williams’ portrayal of Harvey Dent was reduced to a minor character only in Tim Burton’s first Batman film. He didn’t reappear in Batman Returns as initially planned. If a third Burton Batman movie had been made, it would primarily focus on the Riddler, but there would also have been some emphasis on Williams’ Dent transformation into Two-Face. This could have occurred in either Burton’s third Batman film or a potential fourth one. Fans can imagine what this might have looked like through the comic series Batman ’89.

Marlon Wayans Would Have Been Robin in Tim Burton’s Batman 3

Fans of Tim Burton can experience a glimpse of what he planned for Robin in the “Batman ’89” comic, similar to how Two-Face was portrayed by Billy Dee Williams. Interestingly, “Batman Returns” was originally intended to introduce Robin, but he ended up appearing later in another Tim Burton Batman film instead.

In “Batman Returns,” he almost secured the role, coming so near that it seemed inevitable for a third movie. However, his proximity to playing Robin was such that Marlon Wayans, initially chosen by Burton, still received payment for “Returns.” Despite being cut from the production during pre-production due to the film having an overabundance of characters, Wayans was compensated for his work and continues to receive residuals.

Robin Williams Refused to Play The Riddler in Batman Forever for a Very Specific Reason

I can’t help but admire Robin Williams, a man who was warm-hearted and approachable. Yet, he was also a firm believer in his convictions, as evident in his stand against Disney. To illustrate, he insisted that his voice and likeness not be used to promote merchandise in exchange for a lower salary during his role as the Genie in Aladdin. However, Disney went against this agreement, using his image to sell products. Consequently, Williams refused to work with them for several years.

In the production of Tim Burton’s initial Batman film, Warner Bros. initially sought Jack Nicholson for the Joker role, but he declined. Instead, they offered the part to Williams who agreed. However, the studio wasn’t genuinely interested in Williams; they still desired Nicholson. The casting of Williams was essentially a strategy to persuade Nicholson to join the project. This tactic worked, yet Williams felt wronged and refused to collaborate with Warner Bros. again until Fathers’ Day, which was released approximately a decade later. Consequently, he rejected Batman Forever during Burton’s brief tenure as director for that film.

Michelle Pfeiffer was Strongly Considered for Vicki Vale Before Kim Basinger

In the late 1980s Hollywood, the character of Bruce Wayne’s love interest, Vicki Vale, and the role of photography were highly coveted. Many prominent actors were either already interested or eagerly waiting to audition for these roles. Among them was Michelle Pfeiffer, who eventually portrayed Selina Kyle/Catwoman in the film Batman Returns.

Initially, Michael Keaton, who played Bruce Wayne, objected to Michelle Pfeiffer’s casting for personal reasons. Since they were dating during that time, he felt uncomfortable pretending to grow a romantic connection on screen with someone he was genuinely developing feelings for in real life. However, as production for Batman Returns began, their relationship had already ended, allowing Pfeiffer to land the role. It turned out to be beneficial since Pfeiffer excelled in her character, Kyle, who was far more dynamic than Vale, a somewhat one-dimensional role.

Jack Nicholson Was Paid A Lot of Money to Star in Batman

Typically, in movie posters, the lead actor (or the hero) is listed before the one playing the antagonist. However, this isn’t true for Batman. Interestingly, Nicholson was credited ahead of Keaton and even earned a portion of the film’s total earnings.

Absolutely, back in the day, Burton’s movie was a massive box office success. At that time, it’s said that Nicholson pocketed approximately $60 million, which, when adjusted for inflation to 2025 dollars, amounts to an astounding $155 million!

Tommy Lee Jones Hated Jim Carrey on the Set of Batman Forever

In my opinion, much like Robin Williams, Jim Carrey is an amiable performer, at least to most viewers. However, for someone as stern as Tommy Lee Jones, it seems they couldn’t have been more different off-screen. During their scenes in the movie “Batman Forever”, they appeared jovial and lighthearted. But once the camera stopped rolling, Jones’ friendly demeanor vanished quicker than Batman after setting off a smoke bomb.

Jim Carrey has often shared this anecdote throughout the years, including a time when he told it to Norm McDonald. According to Carrey’s account, on the eve of filming one of their major scenes, he greeted Tommy Lee Jones at a restaurant with “Hey Tommy, how are you?”. As per Carrey, Jones reacted by turning pale and trembling, walking up to him, and whispered into his ear, “I dislike you intensely. I truly don’t appreciate your antics.

Joel Schumacher Wanted Batman Forever to be More in Line with Burton’s Two Films

In essence, the tone of “Batman Forever” significantly differs from both “Batman” and “Batman Returns”. Unlike “Batman & Robin”, it retains some elements reminiscent of Tim Burton’s interpretation of Gotham (as he was a producer for “Forever”, but not for “Batman & Robin”). If the director, Joel Schumacher, had his preferred style, “Forever” might have been even closer in tone to Burton’s first two movies.

Originally, the director of “The Lost Boys” planned for his Batman movie to emphasize Bruce Wayne’s fear due to wearing the cape and cowl, as well as depicting Wayne struggling with burnout. However, Warner Bros. was concerned about the negative reactions to the dark tone of “Batman Returns” and requested a more light-hearted approach. A version of the film known as the Schumacher Cut exists, and comic book enthusiast Kevin Smith has viewed it; therefore, it should be made available to the public as well.

Most of Batgirl’s Scenes Were Cut from Batman & Robin

Interesting tidbits about the making of Batman & Robin include amusing anecdotes, such as George Clooney, who has openly expressed his dislike for the film, reimbursing ticket buyers who watched it in theaters. However, there are also disappointing facts, such as why Alicia Silverstone spends minimal screen time in her Batgirl costume in the movie.

Initially, it was planned for Barbara Wilson, played by Alicia Silverstone in the movie, to wear the suit for an extended duration. The scenes featuring her were allegedly cut due to Silverstone’s physique and the weight fluctuations she experienced during filming, a factor that was criticized by tabloids and the press. These criticisms reportedly upset director Joel Schumacher, who spoke out against the journalists responsible for such unkind comments. However, these scenes have never been released publicly.

The Language Spoken by Ken Watanabe in Batman Begins Is Gibberish

At the start of the movie “Batman Begins,” it appears that the role played by Ken Watanabe is actually Ra’s al Ghul, rather than Liam Neeson’s character. Additionally, it seems that the dialogues spoken by this character are in Urdu.

Although the subtitles claim it’s Urdu, it actually isn’t a recognized language at all. It seems to be made-up dialogue created specifically for Watanabe’s role, as it sounds more like gibberish than any established language. An intriguing tidbit about Nolan’s trilogy is that both Emily Blunt and Robert Downey Jr. auditioned for this mysterious language, adding to its allure behind the scenes.

Bruce Wayne’s Voice Modulator in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Was Kevin Smith’s Idea

In the movie “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”, it comes to light that Bruce Wayne uses a voice modulator as an additional measure to conceal his identity from those in his vicinity. This concept emerged after Ben Affleck was chosen for the role, and it was suggested by none other than Affleck’s friend Kevin Smith.

Smith believed Affleck’s speaking tone was overly high-pitched for the Caped Crusader, but there were other factors at play as well. An electronic voice modulator could not only lower the pitch of the voice, but it would also make it distinct from Christian Bale’s performance in Nolan’s trilogy by giving it a unique quality.

Stream the entirety of the Batman franchise on Max.

2025-03-24 22:45