Val Kilmer dropped out of the Batman role after only one movie, and now the Batman Forever actor has explained why he made the controversial decision. Released in 1995, Batman Forever was seen by many as a counterpoint to the exceedingly dark and gothic Batman Returns. New director Joel Schumacher took over from Tim Burton, and actor Michael Keaton was replaced by Top Gun star Val Kilmer. The tone of his sequel, while still borrowing from Burton's aesthetic sensibilities, owed more to the classic 1960s Batman TV series than the pages of post-Crisis comic books.
The resultant film was a box office success, handily out-grossing Batman Returns. The acting was praised, particularly that of Kilmer, with Batman co-creator Bob Kane citing the actor's performance as the best onscreen version of the character. Jim Carrey's performance as The Riddler was also singled out for being delightfully manic. However, the critical response was more muted, with many decrying the film's relatively kid-friendly approach, especially compared to Burton's films.
It came as a surprise to many when Val Kilmer retired as Batman after only one movie. In a recent New York Times profile, he discussed his life and career at length, including his reason for vacating the iconic cowl. Kilmer cites a behind-the-scenes encounter that left him sour on the role. One day, Kilmer remained on set and in costume after filming to greet visitors who wanted a backstage look at Batman Forever. Unfortunately, the visitors (billionaire Warren Buffet and his family) were less interested in seeing Kilmer in costume than they were in checking out the sets and props. It was then Kilmer realized that the actor playing Batman was of little importance.
This chance meeting led Kilmer to realize his skills as an actor were not necessarily relevant to the corporate blockbuster machine of franchise filmmaking. As he put it, "That’s why it’s so easy to have five or six Batmans. It’s not about Batman. There is no Batman." In hindsight, quitting the role worked out, since the subsequent film, Batman & Robin, is widely credited with killing the Batman franchise until 2005's Batman Begins.
Kilmer makes an interesting point about casting in Hollywood franchises. If the actor playing Batman chooses to retire, that means almost nothing with regards to the character's future. Batman (and countless other pop culture icons) are bigger than the actors who portray them. The casting of Ben Affleck in the role for 2015's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was met with cheers. Just a few years later, Affleck is out and Robert Pattinson is the latest actor to be afforded the chance to leave his mark on the legacy of Gotham's Dark Knight. Pattinson inevitably won't be the last actor to play the black-clad vigilante, since (as the title of the 1995 sequel suggests) Batman is, in fact, Forever.
Source: New York Times