Favourite deleted scene?

[The Laughing Fish]

I reckon the best deleted scene - and one that should've stayed in the film's final cut in the first place - would have to be Bruce and Alfred in the Batcave as they watch the negative news coverage demanding Batman to retire. As Bruce feels he's reached a turning point in his life upon realizing that his vengeful crusade as Batman has consumed him, he now wonders if he can give it up and begin to have a normal life.

I like this scene especially for Michael Gough's Alfred because it's consistent with his behavior in the Burton films. Alfred never questioned nor even discouraged Bruce from taking the law into his own hands, but he always hoped that Bruce would settle down with somebody and encouraged him to give love a chance (i.e. Vicki, Selina, and now with Chase Meridian). I liked how Alfred points out the reasons why Batman retiring now would be a good idea because of how Gotham has been making peaceful progress. Bruce, who is troubled with the prospect of actually moving on with his life, asks "Can I give it up?", and Alfred warmly tells him "You'll never know till you try". As you can tell from Alfred's smile, he looks relieved. Even though it's tough for Bruce to get in touch with Chase immediately because he's been focused on his crusade for so long.

But if there is one flaw I've noticed in this scene, it would have to be Bruce saying he had never fell in love with anyone before. Which as you all know, that's not true, if you choose to view Batman Forever as a sequel to the Burton films. Otherwise, it's a great scene that gives more weight and a clearer reason why Bruce wanted to be with Chase than what was shown in the final cut.

[Edd Grayson]

I haven't seen that one. Is it on the internet?

I liked the original, much darker opening with Two-Face's cell and the "Secret of the Batcave" scene.

[The Laughing Fish]

I haven't seen that one. Is it on the internet?

Ask and you shall receive.

I'm looking at BF's Wikipedia page right now and it says that the news footage was supposed to include Batman and Catwoman's rooftop fight scene in BR. But take it with a grain of salt - there's no source that supports this claim.

[Edd Grayson]

Thank you. It was really good. I don't understand why this scene was removed from the film though. Were they that desperate to make a kid-friendly movie that they forgot about quality? 

[The Dark Knight]

The theatrical Batman Forever is okay, but the director's cut version is vastly superior. There was an edit done recently by a member of this site and it was brilliant. It also used the original scene sequencing. It's really a shame Schumacher decided to cut these scenes out. Not just in terms of expanding the plot, but in terms of Val Kilmer. The deleted scenes, especially when re-instated to the flow of the film, increased my appreciation for his portrayal.

Admitedly, I'm not too keen on the suppressed memories angle. But it does give him emotional grounding. Kilmer's Batman had quite a lot of that. The deleted scene has him questioning who he is in more depth, and he subsequently hangs up his cowl. And the other deleted scene in the batcave which brings him back to crimefighting, remembering who he is. Similar to TDK Returns' "you're never done with me" scene.

The content for Batman Forever was all there on the editing room table. They just had to use it, and tone down Tommy Lee Jones. It could've been one of the best Batman films. As it stands, it's okay.

[The Laughing Fish]

Thank you. It was really good. I don't understand why this scene was removed from the film though. Were they that desperate to make a kid-friendly movie that they forgot about quality? 

You're very welcome. And yes, they totally neglected in making the best film they could possibly make, sadly.

The content for Batman Forever was all there on the editing room table. They just had to use it, and tone down Tommy Lee Jones. It could've been one of the best Batman films. As it stands, it's okay.

I would go far by saying Batman Forever had enormous potential to be the best Batman film, period. Bruce's arc of self-rediscovery, and sacrificing his new found moral principles one more time to prevent Dick from entering a bleak, murderous cycle of revenge is worthy of any Batman movie, in my opinion. If only a better director was involved, or if Schumacher had to guts to stand up to the studio and got rid of the tacky jokes and overacting, Forever could've been something truly special.

[Slash Man]

Two-Face escaping was a good one. They already decided to abruptly have Harvey be Two-Face in the film, but this little bit of exposition and some Burton-esque visuals (in contrast to the brand new city). A close second would be the cave inside the cave. Helps bring the backstory full circle, and gives us more of Michael and Val.

On the topic, Burton hand-picked Schumacher to continue the legacy. The way I see it, Batman Forever was a continuation of the original Batman on paper and the way it was directed. Obviously, there was a lot of politics going on behind the scenes, and we didn't get the movie Joel was trying to make (but still a good one). The commercial success of Batman Forever the way it was was what set the template for Batman & Robin. So in essence, the studio was to blame for the alterations to Forever, but Batman & Robin was on Joel.