Brother-Eye Interviews Batman Forever's Janet Scott Batchler

[BatmAngelus]

As promised, after an interview with Arleen Sorkin, Brother-Eye presents yet another exclusive interview- this time with Janet Scott Batchler, co-writer of Batman Forever.

Whether you love or hate the film, you won't want to miss out on reading:
- Just how much/little involvement Tim Burton had in developing Batman Forever
- The comic book influences on the film
- Who they originally envisioned to play the Riddler (It?s not much of a surprise)
- What lead to the creation of Chase Meridian
- Ideas that didn't make it into the film

http://www.batmanmovieonline.com/features.php?display=89

[Azrael]

Very interesting read, great stuff.

[burtongenius]

Interesting.  Where do you guys find this stuff?  )  I remember from a different site that burton intended to have robin williams as the riddler and keaton as batman.  It definetely wouldn't be bubble gum batman I can tell you that.  They were even considering marlan wayans for robin.  Anyways, I don't think Batman Forever or Batman and Robin were bad movies.  I think they were logical creations from warner bros.  They wanted a lighter batman.  They made one.  I think it was sort of the fans fault.  If they didn't like batman returns, they obviously got something lighter.  I don't kow...  The Batchler lady was very interesting.  But not very surprising.

[BatmAngelus]

Very interesting read, great stuff.

Thanks 

Where do you guys find this stuff?  )

Living in L.A. helps in tracking down these people for interviews. 

I remember from a different site that burton intended to have robin williams as the riddler and keaton as batman.  It definetely wouldn't be bubble gum batman I can tell you that.  They were even considering marlan wayans for robin.

Basically, Robin Williams being up for Riddler is true, but, contrary to some reports, Burton was not involved once Riddler was decided to be the villain and it was Schumacher who wanted Williams for the part.

Wayans was hired for Batman Returns (and is still gaining royalties for it- http://splashpage.mtv.com/2009/08/05/gi-joe-star-marlon-wayans-still-getting-paid-for-not-playing-robin-in-batman-returns/ )

[burtongenius]

Check this old site out batmanangelus.

http://web.archive.org/web/20080105112211/http://www.geocities.com/burtonsbatman3/intro.html

[johnnygobbs]

Thank you BatmAngelus.  I love this sort of stuff.

[The Dark Knight]

I don't think Batman Forever or Batman and Robin were bad movies.  I think they were logical creations from warner bros.  They wanted a lighter batman.  They made one.  I think it was sort of the fans fault.  If they didn't like batman returns, they obviously got something lighter.  

WB wanted a lighter tone, fine. They are responsible for the quality of that take. They are god awful movies. The fans are not responsible for that.

[johnnygobbs]

Burtongenius, don't blame the fans for what we got.  Blame McDonalds and the soccer moms.

[burtongenius]

 If it was just the kids who brought the movie down then yes- blame the mothers.  But, and I don't have data or nothing, but I don't think it was just the kids who brought it down.  a) It didn't have the hype of the first batman movie and b) it didn't have a famous villain (philistines).  What I'm saying is that the box office difference couldn't just be from the children could it?  To me thats a little denial.  But like I said, I have no data or anything (too lazy to find some- if its even out there on the demographics).  But sometimes you just have to go with the old noggin.

[burtongenius]

Question- did mcdonalds do anything for the first batman.  I was just wondering.