What If Schumacher Directed Batman ’89?

[Kamdan]

I’ve been pondering just what if a film like Batman Forever or Batman & Robin had been released in 1989. The public consciousness was still in tuned with the television show and Schumacher’s vision was much more like it, especially with Batman & Robin. What would it have been like?

Of course, it would have been a different story, as Tim Burton worked with Sam Hamm to develop the script. Keaton wouldn’t have been considered and Nicholson may not have done it, due to his reservations about the tone, but I guess you can’t turn down a deal like the one he got. We most likely would have had Robin in the film.

Thoughts?

[gordonblu]

I am sorely relieved that this alternate universe never happened. Although seeing as Elfman's Batman score was the impetus for my obsession with film scores, maybe I'd be exceedingly wealthy with all the money I'd have saved.

On the other hand, they may have hired Schumacher to make a "dark" Batman film and it might have turned out decent...



What am I saying?

[johnnygobbs]

On the other hand, they may have hired Schumacher to make a "dark" Batman film and it might have turned out decent...

That's not entirely implausible bearing in mind 'The Lost Boys'.  Still, it's highly doubtful Schumacher would have made anything half as accomplished and memorable as Burton's Batman.

[gordonblu]

Even if he had made a dark Batman, it still would have been style over substance. Lost Boys comes across as cool or trendy goth, which never sits right with me.

[johnnygobbs]

Even if he had made a dark Batman, it still would have been style over substance. Lost Boys comes across as cool or trendy goth, which never sits right with me.

I don't know about The Lost Boys being cool or trendy goth, but I do agree that Schumacher, with a rare few exception (i.e. Tigerland, that genuinely seems to go completely against the grain of everything else he has made), is all about 'style over substance' even in his more entertaining films like 'The Lost Boys', 'Flatliners', 'Phone Booth', 'Falling Down' and his John Grisham adaptations.

[The Dark Knight]

If Schumacher directed a live action Batman film in a similar vein to Batman and Robin, it would've been detrimental to the character. The public up to that point only really knew the bright and campy version.  Another live action film, the big return after some time, would've only gone to cement that view. IMO, fans of the dark and gritty Batman of early comics would've become a marginalised group, essentially the eradicated Jedi Order from the Star Wars movies. Knowing the truth but outnumbered by the sentiment of the day. It would have been possible to come back after it and film a B89/BR type movie, but the expectations and stakes would've only been higher. 

[SilentEnigma]

^ Agreed. Such a "faux dark" film would kill of an already "wounded" (from the 60's show) Batman, especially if it was a smash hit.

[Grissom]

First off, wouldn't like to think of Schumacher doing Batman '89, but every director has his own vision but the essence of the film and the characters must be paramount.