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Batman in film

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The fictional character Batman, a comic book superhero featured in DC Comics publications and created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger,[1] has appeared in various films since his inception. 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]

Over the course of seven years, Warner Bros. commissioned Darren Aronofsky for an adaptation of Batman: Year One and Wolfgang Petersen for Batman vs. Superman before deciding to reboot the film franchise in 2005 with Batman Begins, directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Christian Bale. Nolan returned to direct two further installments in the trilogy, The Dark Knight in 2008 and The Dark Knight Rises in 2012 with Bale reprising his role in both films. The two sequels both earned over $1 billion worldwide, making Batman the second film franchise (and to date one of only five, the others being Pirates of the Caribbean, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Transformers and Jurassic Park) to have two of its films earn more than $1 billion worldwide.[3] Ben Affleck became the newest actor to portray Batman in 2016 with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, which had put into motion a new DC Extended Universe, including a much larger crossover Justice League Part One film in 2017 and a stand-alone film that is currently in development.

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, was released theatrically. Having earned a total of U.S. $1,900,844,295, the Batman series is the fifth-highest-grossing film series in North America.[4]

Films

Film U.S. release date "Batman" Director(s) Story by Screenwriter(s) Producer(s) Distributor(s)
Batman (serial) July 16, 1943 (1943-07-16) Lewis Wilson Lambert Hillyer Victor McLeod, Leslie Swabacker and Harry L. Fraser Rudolph C. Flothow Columbia Pictures
Batman and Robin (serial) June 26, 1949 (1949-06-26) Robert Lowery Spencer Gordon Bennet George H. Plympton, Joseph F. Poland and Royal K. Cole Sam Katzman
Batman: The Movie July 30, 1966 (1966-07-30) Adam West Leslie H. Martinson Lorenzo Semple, Jr. William Dozier 20th Century Fox
Batman June 23, 1989 (1989-06-23) Michael Keaton Tim Burton Sam Hamm Sam Hamm and Warren Skaaren Peter Guber, Jon Peters, Benjamin Melniker and Michael Uslan Warner Bros.
Batman Returns June 19, 1992 (1992-06-19) Sam Hamm and Daniel Waters Daniel Waters Tim Burton and Denise Di Novi
Batman:
Mask of the Phantasm		 December 17, 1993 (1993-12-17) Kevin Conroy Eric Radomski
Bruce Timm		 Alan Burnett Alan Burnett, Paul Dini, Martin Pasko and Michael Reaves Alan Burnett, Michael Uslan, Benjamin Melniker and Bruce Timm
Batman Forever June 16, 1995 (1995-06-16) Val Kilmer Joel Schumacher Lee Batchler and Janet Scott-Batchler Lee Batchler, Janet Scott-Batchler and Akiva Goldsman Tim Burton and Peter MacGregor-Scott
Batman & Robin June 20, 1997 (1997-06-20) George Clooney Akiva Goldsman Peter MacGregor-Scott
Batman Begins June 25, 2005 (2005-06-25) Christian Bale Christopher Nolan David S. Goyer Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer Charles Roven, Emma Thomas and Larry Franco
The Dark Knight July 18, 2008 (2008-07-18) Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan Emma Thomas, Charles Roven and Christopher Nolan
The Dark Knight Rises July 20, 2012 (2012-07-20)
Batman v Superman:
Dawn of Justice		 March 25, 2016 (2016-03-25) Ben Affleck Zack Snyder Chris Terrio and David S. Goyer Deborah Snyder and Charles Roven
The Lego Batman Movie May 26, 2017 (2017-05-26) Will Arnett Chris McKay Seth Grahame-Smith Dan Lin, Roy Lee, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller

Early films and serials

Batman (1943)

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Main article: Batman (serial)

Batman was a 15-chapter serial film released in 1943 by Columbia Pictures. The serial starred Lewis Wilson as Batman and Douglas Croft as Robin. J. Carrol Naish played the 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.[5] The film introduced "The Bat's Cave" and the Grandfather clock entrance.[5] 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.[5]

Batman and Robin (1949)

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Main article: Batman and Robin (serial)

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. 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.

Batman (1966)

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Main article: Batman (1966 film)

Batman (also known as Batman: The Movie) is a 1966 film adaptation of the popular Batman television series, and was the first full-length theatrical adaptation of the DC Comics character. The 20th Century Fox release starred Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin, as well as Cesar Romero as the Joker, Burgess Meredith as the Penguin, Lee Meriwether as Catwoman, and Frank Gorshin as the Riddler.

The film was directed by Leslie H. Martinson, who also directed a pair of Batman episodes: "The Penguin Goes Straight" and "Not Yet, He Ain't," both from season one.

1970s and 80s

In the late 1970s, Batman's popularity was waning.[6] 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."[6] Richard Maibaum was approached to write a script with Guy Hamilton to direct, but the two turned down the offer. Uslan was unsuccessful with pitching Batman to various movie studios because they wanted the film to be similar to the campy 1960s TV series. Columbia Pictures and United Artists were among those to turn down the film.[7]

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.[6] In November 1979, producer Jon Peters and Casablanca FilmWorks, headed by Peter Guber, joined the project.[8] The four producers felt it was best to pattern the film's development after that of Superman (1978).[9] Uslan, Melniker and Guber pitched Batman to Universal Pictures, but the studio turned it down.[10] 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.[8] Guber and Peters immediately set up shop at Warner Bros., which finally decided to accept Batman.[11]

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.[12] Mankiewicz took inspiration from the limited series Batman: Strange Apparitions (ISBN 1-56389-500-5), written by Steve Englehart.[13] Comic book artist Marshall Rogers, who worked with Englehart on Strange Apparitions, was hired for concept art.[10] 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.[11] 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 Ivan Reitman and Joe Dante. Reitman wanted to cast Bill Murray as Batman. For the role of Robin, Eddie Murphy and Michael J. Fox were candidates.[14] Nine rewrites were performed by nine separate writers. Most of them were based on Strange Apparitions. However, it was Mankiewicz's script that was still being used to guide the project.[15]

Tim Burton/Joel Schumacher

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Main article: Batman (1989 film series)

Batman (1989)

Michael Keaton as Batman

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Main article: Batman (1989 film)

Tim Burton took over as director of the first Batman film in 1986. Steve Englehart and Julie Hickson wrote film treatments before Sam Hamm wrote the first screenplay.[14][16] Numerous A-list actors were considered for the role of Batman before Michael Keaton was cast. Keaton was a controversial choice for the role since, by 1988, he had become typecast as a comedic actor and many observers doubted he could portray a serious role.[14] Jack Nicholson accepted the role of the Joker under strict conditions that dictated a high salary, a portion of the box office profits and his shooting schedule. Nicholson's final salary is reported to be as high as $50 million.[11][17][18][19] Principal photography took place at Pinewood Studios from October 1988 to January 1989.[20] The budget escalated from $30 million to $48 million,[17] while the 1988 Writers Guild of America strike forced Hamm to drop out. Rewrites were performed by Warren Skaaren, Charles McKeown[11] and Jonathan Gems.[21] Batman received positive reviews, broke numerous box office records, and won the Academy Award for Best Art Direction. The film grossed over $400 million,[14] and left a legacy over the modern perception of the superhero film genre.[22]

Batman Returns (1992)

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Main article: Batman Returns

Burton originally did not want to direct a sequel because of his mixed emotions over the previous film.[9] Sam Hamm's first script had Penguin and Catwoman searching for hidden treasure.[23] Daniel Waters delivered a script that satisfied Burton, which convinced him to direct the film. Wesley Strick did an uncredited rewrite, deleting characterizations of Harvey Dent and Robin and rewriting the climax.[24][25] 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.[26] 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.[27] However, Batman Returns was released to generally positive reviews,[28] although a "parental backlash" criticized the film for containing violence and sexual innuendos that were thought to be unsuitable for children.[27] McDonald's shut down its Happy Meal tie-in for Batman Returns.[29]

Batman Forever (1995)

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Main article: Batman Forever

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.[30] However, Michael Keaton did not like the new direction the film series was heading in,[31] 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,[30] and Schumacher encountered problems communicating with Kilmer and Jones.[32] Batman Forever was released on June 16, 1995 with financial success, earning over $350 million worldwide and three Academy Award nominations, but the film was met with mixed reviews from critics.[33][34]

Batman & Robin (1997)

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Main article: Batman & Robin (film)

After the release of Batman Forever, Warner Bros. started development on Batman & Robin, commissioning it on fast track for an adamant June 1997 release.[35] Val Kilmer did not return, because of scheduling conflicts with The Saint,[36] and was replaced by George Clooney. Arnold Schwarzenegger starred as Mr. Freeze, while Uma Thurman starred as Poison Ivy and Alicia Silverstone starred as Batgirl. Chris O'Donnell reprised his role as Robin. Principal photography began in September 1996[37] and finished in January 1997,[38] two weeks ahead of the shooting schedule.[39] Batman & Robin was released on June 20, 1997, and received primarily negative reviews.[40] Observers criticized the film for its toyetic and campy approach, and for homosexual innuendos added by Schumacher.[36] Still, the film was a financial success,[41] but remains to be the least commercially successful live-action Batman film ever. Batman & Robin received numerous nominations at the Razzie Awards[42] and ranks among the worst rated superhero films of all time.[43][44]

Proposals for 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.[39] 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.[45] 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 appeared as a supporting character, written as the Joker's daughter trying to kill Batman to avenge her father's death.[46] George Clooney, Chris O'Donnell and Alicia Silverstone were set to reprise the roles of Batman, Robin, and Batgirl.[47] Schumacher had also approached Nicolas Cage for the role of Scarecrow.[48] However, when Batman & Robin received negative reviews and failed to outgross any of its predecessors, Warner Bros. was unsure of their plans for Batman Unchained. The studio decided it was best to consider a live-action Batman Beyond film and an adaptation of Frank Miller's Batman: Year One. Warner Bros. would then greenlight whichever idea suited them the most.[49] 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."[50] He approached Warner Bros. to do Batman: Year One in mid-1998.[50]

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 had Bruce Wayne giving up his crime fighting career, and Dick Grayson attending Gotham University.[51] Dr. Jonathan Crane uses his position as professor of psychology at Gotham University and as head psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum to conduct his experiments into fear (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 becomes Batman "to clear his name," and solve the mystery of Man-Bat.[51] 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. Warner Bros. decided not to move forward with the project, and passed on Batman: DarKnight in favor of Year One and Batman Beyond.[51]

Robin spin-off

Chris O'Donnell revealed in a 2012 interview with Access Hollywood that a Robin spin-off was planned but was scrapped after Batman & Robin.[52]

Other proposals

Batman: Year One and Batman Beyond

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, as well as an adaptation of Frank Miller's 1987 comic book story arc Batman: Year One.[53] Despite interest from Schumacher, Darren Aronofsky was hired to direct and co-write with Miller,[50][53] whom he previously collaborated with on an unproduced script for Ronin.[54] Yakin developed one draft of the Batman Beyond screenplay with the writers but soon lost interest,[55] and Warner Bros. abandoned Batman Beyond almost instantly in favor of Batman: Year One.[49] 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."[56] Regular Aronofsky collaborator, Matthew Libatique, was set as cinematographer,[57] and Christian Bale had been approached for the role of Batman. Coincidentally, Bale would be cast in the role for Batman Begins.[58] At the same time, Warner Bros. was moving forward on a Catwoman spin-off.[59] However, by June 2002, the studio decided to move forward on Batman vs. Superman and abandon Year One.[60]

Batman vs. Superman

Warner Bros. abandoned J. J. Abrams' script for Superman: Flyby, which had been greenlighted with McG to direct.[61][62] When McG dropped out in favor of Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle,[63] Warner Bros. approached Wolfgang Petersen to direct Superman: Flyby,[64] however, in August 2001,[65] Andrew Kevin Walker pitched Warner Bros. an idea titled Batman vs Superman, attaching Petersen as director. Superman: Flyby was put on hold,[64] and Akiva Goldsman was hired to rewrite Walker's Batman vs. Superman.[49]

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.[66] Christian Bale, who would play the character in Christopher Nolan's Batman film trilogy, was simultaneously approached to portray Batman for Darren Aronofsky's Batman: Year One,[67] while Josh Hartnett was offered the role of Superman.[63]

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.[68] However, Warner Bros. canceled development to focus on individual Superman and Batman projects after Abrams submitted another draft for Superman: Flyby.[69] 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."[70] In the opening scene of I Am Legend, a billboard displays the Superman symbol within the Batman symbol in Times Square. It is meant as an in-joke by the film's writer, Akiva Goldsman, who also wrote the script for Batman vs. Superman.[71]

Christopher Nolan

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Main article: The Dark Knight Trilogy

Batman Begins (2005)

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According to Christopher Nolan, Christian Bale had "exactly the balance of darkness and light that we were looking for."

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Main article: Batman Begins

Following a rejected Batman origin story reboot Joss Whedon pitched in December 2002,[72][73] Warner Bros. hired Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer to script Batman Begins.[74] The duo aimed for a darker and more realistic tone, with humanity and realism being the basis of the film.[75] The film was primarily shot in the United Kingdom and Chicago,[76][77] and relied on traditional stunts and scale models with minimal use of computer-generated imagery. Christian Bale starred as Batman, Liam Neeson starred as Ra's al Ghul, and Cillian Murphy as The Scarecrow. Katie Holmes also starred in the movie as Bruce's love interest, Rachel Dawes, a role created for the film. Alfred was played by Michael Caine and Jim Gordon was portrayed by Gary Oldman. A new Batmobile (called the Tumbler) and a more mobile Batsuit were both created specifically for the film.[78][79]

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 nominated for the Academy Award for Best Cinematography and for three BAFTA awards.[80] It was also listed at No. 81 on Empire's "500 Greatest Movies of All Time"[81] and has maintained a standing on IMDb.com's "Top 250".[82]

The Dark Knight (2008)

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Main article: The Dark Knight (film)

Christopher Nolan reprised his duties as director, and brought his brother, Jonathan, to co-write the script for the second installment. The Dark Knight featured Christian Bale reprising his role as Batman/Bruce Wayne, Heath Ledger as The Joker, and Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent / Two-Face. Principal photography began in April 2007 in Chicago and concluded in November. Other locations included Pinewood Studios, Ministry of Sound in London and Hong Kong. On January 22, 2008, after he had completed filming The Dark Knight, Ledger died from a bad combination 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.[83][84]

The film received broad critical acclaim,[85][86][87] and set numerous records during its theatrical run.[88] With just over $1 billion in revenue worldwide, it is the 21st-highest-grossing film of all time, unadjusted for inflation.[89] The film received eight Academy Award nominations; it won the award for Best Sound Editing and Ledger was posthumously awarded Best Supporting Actor.

The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

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Main article: The Dark Knight Rises

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?"[90] He returned out of finding a necessary way to continue the story, but feared midway through filming he would find a sequel redundant.[91] The Dark Knight Rises is intended to complete Nolan's Batman trilogy.[92] By December 2008, Nolan completed a rough story outline, before he committed himself to Inception.[93] In February 2010, work on the screenplay was commencing with David S. Goyer and Jonathan Nolan.[94] When Goyer left to work on the Superman reboot, Jonathan was writing the script based on the story by his brother and Goyer.[95] Tom Hardy was cast as Bane and Anne Hathaway plays Selina Kyle.[96] Joseph Gordon-Levitt was cast as John Blake,[97][98] and Marion Cotillard was cast as Miranda Tate. Filming began in May 2011 and concluded in November.[99] 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.[100] Nolan had several meetings with IMAX Vice-President David Keighley to work on the logistics of projecting films in digital IMAX venues.[101] The Dark Knight Rises featured more scenes shot in IMAX than The Dark Knight.[101] Cinematographer Wally Pfister expressed interest in shooting the film entirely in IMAX.[102][103]

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 tenth-highest-grossing film of all time grossing over $1.08 billion. However, unlike its predecessors, the film was not nominated for any Oscars during its year of eligibility at the 85th Academy Awards, much to the surprise of film industry insiders.[104]

Proposed Justice League film

Justice League: Mortal

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Main article: Justice League in other media § Film

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[105] featuring a younger Batman in a separate franchise.[106] George Miller was hired to direct the following September,[107] with Armie Hammer cast as Batman a month later[108][109] and Teresa Palmer as Talia al Ghul.[110] Filming had nearly commenced for at Fox Studios Australia in Sydney, but was pushed back over the Writer's 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.[111] Production offices were moved to Vancouver Film Studios in Canada for an expected July 2008 start and a planned summer 2009 theatrical release date,[112][113] 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.[114]

DC Extended Universe

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Main article: DC Extended Universe

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

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Zack Snyder felt that casting an older Batman (Ben Affleck) would be a layered juxtaposition to a younger Superman.

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Main article: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

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.[115] 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.[116][117][118] 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.[119]

On August 22, 2013, The Hollywood Reporter announced the casting of Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne/Batman.[120][121] 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".[122] 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".[123]

Suicide Squad (2016)

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Main article: Suicide Squad (film)

In February 2009, Warner Bros. was developing a Suicide Squad film, with Dan Lin producing, and Justin Marks writing the script.[124] In September 2014, David Ayer signed on to direct and write the screenplay for the film.[125][126] Charles Roven is also set to produce the film. In November 2014 and March 2015, it was announced that Deadshot, Harley Quinn, Killer Croc and the Joker will appear in the film portrayed respectively by Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje and Jared Leto.[127][128][129]

Justice League Part One (2017)

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Main article: Justice League Part One

Shortly after filming had finished for Man of Steel, Warner Bros hired Will Beall to script a new Justice League film in June 2012.[130] 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.[131] In April 2014, it was announced that Zack Snyder would also be directing Goyer's Justice League script.[132] 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.[133] In March 2016, it was revealed that Affleck signed on a three-picture deal that carries him through 2019's Justice League Part Two, while also have a minor appearance in Suicide Squad.[134]

The Batman (TBA)

In July 2015, it was revealed that Ben Affleck is in talks to direct, star and co-write with Geoff Johns a screenplay for a stand-alone Batman film.[135] In January 2016, Affleck hinted that he was inspired by his Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice director Zack Snyder to possibly take on helming the film.[136] In March 2016, Johns claimed that the appearance of Robin's suit covered in graffiti from Dawn of Justice will be explored later and the identity of the deceased character was intentionally unspecified.[137] Following the release of Dawn of Justice, William Morris Endeavor's co-CEO Patrick Whitesell confirmed that Affleck had written a screenplay for a standalone Batman film that he hoped would be optioned by Warner Bros as well to direct.[134] Warner Bros. CEO Kevin Tsujihara confirmed in April 2016 that the studio is moving ahead with Affleck's stand-alone Batman film, which the actor will star in and direct.[138] In May 2016, Jeremy Irons confirmed that the stand-alone Batman film would be entitled "The Batman",[139] and that he (as Alfred Pennyworth) and Affleck would reprise their roles from Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

Animated films

Batman solo

With other heroes

The Lego Movie series

Other

Cast and characters

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Main article: List of Batman films cast members

Reception

Box office performance

Film Release date Box office revenue Box office ranking Budget Ref(s)
North America Other
territories		 Worldwide All time
North America		 All time
worldwide
Batman June 23, 1989 $251,188,924 $160,160,000 $411,348,924 #71
#50(A)		 #156 $35 million [140]
Batman Returns June 19, 1992 $162,831,698 $103,990,656 $266,822,354 #206
#167(A)		 #338 $80 million [141]
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm December 25, 1993 $5,617,391 $5,617,391 #4,653 [142]
Batman Forever June 16, 1995 $184,031,112 $152,498,032 $336,529,144 #148
#140(A)		 #231 $100 million [33]
Batman & Robin June 20, 1997 $107,325,195 $130,881,927 $238,207,122 #460 #394 $125 million [143]
Batman Begins June 15, 2005 $206,852,432 $167,366,241 $374,218,673 #120 #182 $150 million [144]
The Dark Knight July 18, 2008 $534,858,444 $469,700,000 $1,004,558,444 #4
#29(A)		 #14 $185 million [145]
The Dark Knight Rises July 20, 2012 $448,139,099 $636,300,000 $1,084,439,099 #7
#63(A)		 #8 $250 million [146]
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice March 25, 2016 $328,843,925 $542,232,023 $871,075,948 #45 #46 $250 million [147]
Total $2,229,688,220 $2,363,128,879 $4,592,817,099 $1.175 billion [148]
List indicator(s)
  • A dark grey cell indicates information is not available.
  • (A) indicates the adjusted totals based on current ticket prices (calculated by Box Office Mojo).
  • Batman Begins and The Dark Knight gross includes 2012 re-releases.

Critical and public response

Film Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic CinemaScore
Batman (1966) 80% (30 reviews)[149]
Batman (1989) 72% (68 reviews)[150] 69 (21 reviews)[151] A[152]
Batman Returns 80% (70 reviews)[28] 68 (23 reviews)[153] B[152]
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm 81% (27 reviews)[154]
Batman Forever 41% (58 reviews)[34] 51 (23 reviews)[155] A-[152]
Batman & Robin 11% (85 reviews)[40] 28 (21 reviews)[156] C+[152]
Batman Begins 85% (267 reviews)[157] 70 (41 reviews)[158] A[152]
The Dark Knight 94% (314 reviews)[159] 82 (39 reviews)[160] A[152]
The Dark Knight Rises 87% (331 reviews)[161] 78 (45 reviews)[162] A[152]
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice 27% (331 reviews)[163] 44 (51 reviews)[164] B[152]
List indicator(s)
  • A dark grey cell indicates the information is not available for the film.

Academy Awards

Award Burton/Schumacher series Nolan series
Batman Batman Returns Batman Forever Batman & Robin Batman Begins The Dark Knight The Dark Knight Rises
Actor in a Supporting Role Won (Heath Ledger)
Art Direction Won Nominated
Cinematography Nominated Nominated Nominated
Film Editing Nominated
Makeup Nominated Nominated
Sound Editing Nominated Won
Sound Mixing Nominated Nominated
Visual Effects Nominated Nominated

See also

References

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External links

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