Your Version of Batman Forever

[BatmAngelus]

Same as the other threads.  I imagine this one is going to be bigger than some of the others:

If you had final rewrite on the movie (or even wanted to fix minor things), what would you have done differently?  As with Doc's thread, you have to stick with the general framework of the film.

This is different from the re-edit threads in that you'd have more control over what scenes to put in, rather than be stuck with what was shot and what deleted scenes are available to view.

For me, I'll cite the Peter David novelization as the best version of the film.  I would've loved the following two changes that David made:
http://www.batman-online.com/forum/index.php?topic=2269.0

- Biggest change to Chase Meridian- after Batman visits her bedroom, she pulls out a tape recorder and dictates the latest notes on the Bruce Wayne/Batman case.  Like Silver St. Cloud, she actually figured out from Bruce's fighting at the circus that he was Batman and felt her relationship with Bruce would give her a chance to study him and find what makes him tick.  She realizes now how manipulative she's been after Batman leaves her bedroom and, in anger/guilt, destroys the tape.  But Batman's heard it from across the rooftop and decides it's time to confess the truth to Chase and settle down.

- The biggest change at the end is that when Batman throws the coins up to trick Two-Face, Two-Face falls..."two yards."  Landing on a girder.  "Did you think it'd be that easy?  Did you?"  He and Robin have a final confrontation where Robin points out that Two-Face doesn't have the guts to make his own decisions.  Harvey flips one last time...then lets go of the girder, committing suicide.

His last words, when looking at the coin- "It seems...we were right the first time.  You are a man after our own heart.  And you managed to rip it out.  You owe us, kid."

Then he lets go without making a sound.  Robin's shocked, saying he didn't want to kill him, but Batman assures him.  "You just showed Two-Face his real face.  The rest was his decision.  Maybe his first genuine decision in years."

Also, I think we can all agree with one thing when it comes to Two-Face- I'd only have him flip the coin once at Wayne Manor 

[BatmanFanatic93]

Are visuals allowed to be changed?

[BatmAngelus]

Of course.

Basically, the only thing I want to avoid in these threads, especially this one, is having ideas for completely different stories (i.e. Tim Burton's Batman III with different villains and no Robin), as those should be saved for the Fan Fiction section.  This is still Batman Forever, with Two-Face, Riddler's origin, Robin's origin, and Chase Meridian.

[gordonblu]

Visually It would hearken back to Anton Furst's Gotham City.
I would make Two-Face more prominent as a threat with the Riddler being more of a side nuisance.
As per The David novel, I would include a pre-credit sequence wherein Batman meets with Dent on the rooftop. Plus the events would unfold in the novel's order rather than the film order; Chase misuses the Batsignal after the circus rather than the bank etc.

Riddler's throne would vaguely resemble an electric chair and when Batman destroys the brain drainer, it would fry Riddler completely (Burton had charred dudes in both B89 and BR so I thought I should continue the tradition).

As for Two-Face's repeated coin flipping,  he's trying to decide on a weapon; i.e. a mace from a suit of armor, a sword from a display, before finally settling on his gun. Just because the character is dark doesn't mean you can't have some fun at times.

Chase would have been Harvey's therapist before the accident and her returning to Gotham is an attempt by her to rectify past mistakes.

I'd de-age Robin slightly, so Bruce taking him in would be more plausible. He'd be roughly 13-16 years of age in my version.

I'd also include the longer Helicopter sequence, and the already mentioned scene of Chase and her tape recorder.

The battleship scene would not occur in my version. Instead I'd get to the personal confrontations quicker. The fight between Robin and Two-Face would be different and would end with Face shooting Robin, who'd fall off the side of the building presumably dead. Robin's part in the last death trap would be taken by Gordon, which makes more sense considering he's Batman's crime fighting confidant and Robin hasn't really been established as Batman's partner yet. Instead of Batman catching them both, Robin will sabotage the trap enabling both victims to be rescued (and establishing Robin as an asset instead of a hindrance like in the film). Batman would then take off after the fleeing Two-Face for the final confrontation where, like the novel, Two-Face ultimately flips a death verdict for himself. I'd have Chase leave Gotham at the end, re-asserting Bruce's sacrifice's because he chooses to be Batman forever. I debate whether I'd have the batsignal shot or a reprise of the ending of B89 with Robin added (which seemed to be the original plan anyway.)

I had actually planned to do a comic of my version (and the others), but have never gotten around to it (plus drawing locations, vehicles, and WOMEN have never been my strong suit and I'd want these done right).

Here is my concept of a "Burton-ized" Two-Face and Riddler...

[BatmAngelus]

Great ideas!  I love this one, especially:

Chase would have been Harvey's therapist before the accident and her returning to Gotham is an attempt by her to rectify past mistakes.

This plus Peter David's version, where Chase has figured out the truth about Batman's secret identity and is trying an unorthodox way of studying Bruce's duality, would've given the character a lot more depth and more of a role to play in the story.  It'd be rather poignant if she was Harvey's therapist, as she and Batman could bond over the fact that they both feel like they've failed Harvey.

[gordonblu]

Yeah, I'd prefer it if Chase actually behaved like a psychologist!

[BatmanFanatic93]

1-Gotham city would have mixture of both burton's gotham aton fursts designs & schumacher's with a little bit of neon but blue since both tim & joel had a thing for blue lighting for some reason plus i would even have the original batmobile from the first flims in with few modification.

2-Batman would speak less in my & bruce would speak more & have more screentime version however the story arc with bruce's parents death coming back to haunt him & him wanting to quit to live with chase is still there also joker's ghost is added in to have more of impact on bruce's nightmares to worsen as nod to the un-made batman triumphant where they were gonna bring back the joker but in ghost form.

3-Robin would remain the same but i would have him black instead cause i always been intrested in seeing a black robin in the series ever since i found out marlon wayans was originally be robin in the first two films before being re-cast in BF plus with robins origins in the film i think it would it suit him well espically with him being a badass & throwing a bad attitude when bruce takes him in & slowly going down the path the way bruce did when joker killed his parents.

4-Two-face,Now his origins remain the same except due the rules however instead starting off the film with the arkham break out the opening shows harvey dent's life before he becomes two-face & shows his friendship with bruce,gordon,& batman just to make him a more likeable & tragic character that way it would make more sense for two-face to go nuts later in BF & oh yeah he only flips the coin once in wayne manor. 

5-Riddler would remain the same since i like the new origins they gave him in BF but the only thing i would change is his outfit cause let's face it spandex went out when the 60's batman was done & when the 90's came in it was all about business clothes resembling the villains color pattern & skin tight leather (I.E catwoman & ivy) so yeah that's pretty much it for riddler.

6-Chase would be more professional but her love for batman would be the same except she won't acting like a horny school girl with a crush no no no in my version she would be more tolerable & likeable.

[johnnygobbs]

I'd de-age Robin slightly, so Bruce taking him in would be more plausible. He'd be roughly 13-16 years of age in my version.

To give 'Batman Forever' credit I actually thought that an older Dick Grayson was more credible.  What social services is going to hand a young kid who's just lost both his parents to some random guy who lives by himself in a mansion on the outskirts of town?  In that situation one would hope he would be placed in a children's home or better yet, with registered foster parents.  At least with an older Dick Grayson you have a realistic situation in which Bruce allows a young but not too young or for that matter too vulnerable man to take temporary refuge whilst he gets himself sorted out.

[BatmAngelus]

It would've been interesting if they kept the scene from the Batchlers' draft, before Akiva Goldsman touched it, in which Edward stalked Bruce and Chase at the circus.  (Keep in mind, in their draft, Eddie's name was Lyle Heckendorf.  Goldsman reinstated the Edward Nygma name).

INT. HIPPODROME LOBBY
Concessions, Side Shows, Kissing Booths. The glitter and glitz of a big charity event. Bruce and Chase are the center of attention as they arrive.

IN THE CROWD
Lyle stalks Bruce. He gets close enough to hear them. Bruce is introducing Chase to The Mayor, important Gothamites, etc.

They walk towards the circus ring, past a variety of stands and exhibitions. Bruce spots a couple of "freaks," banners, including a half man-half woman.

BRUCE
Looks like you might want to make a house call.

CHASE
In a sense we are all split personalities. The side we show in day light, good, loving, civilized. And our night side.

BRUCE
(with surprising intensity)
Rage. Passion. Anger. Pain

Chase stares at him, puzzled.

CHASE
...Right. Only by joining the two can we become whole.

BRUCE
Easy for you to say.

CHASE
Excuse me?

Bruce spots a BOOTH ADVERTISING "LARRY THE LEPRECHAUN TELLS YOUR FORTUNE, Toss Gold in the Leprechaun's Pot and he'll tell you your future."

BRUCE
Shall we check out our future... together?

But before they can reach the booth, they are swamped by the Gotham CITY SOCIETY LADIES -- too much jewelry, too many face lifts -- and the GOTHAM CITY PRESS.

REPORTER
And of course no social event would be complete without Bruce Wayne. The richest, handsomest and most eligible bachelor in Gotham City.

THE GOTHAM SOCIETY LADIES surround Bruce for a photo op. They gush. Chase looks disgusted.

LYLE
watches with envy burning. Then he gets an idea.

INT. LEPRECHAUN FORTUNE TELLING BOOTH
As JOVIAL CUSTOMERS leave, LARRY, the pudgy Fortune Teller; dressed like a Leprechaun, green derby and all, ducks through curtains into

A BACK ROOM
where he grabs a beer and catches the score from a game on a small TV. But suddenly Lyle appears.

LYLE
Like to try my new invention?

LARRY
What? Who?

But before he can stop Lyle he's been put into the electronic helmet and the small attachment has been put onto his TV. He zombies off into Green/Blue TV land. Lyle tries on the Green Derby.

LEPRECHAUN BOOTH (FRONT ROOM)
Chase and Bruce enter. They look around.

BRUCE
Hello...

Suddenly the back curtain opens and Lyle appears dressed in the green outfit, derby and the addition of a mask.

LYLE
Sure and beghorum and Sinead O'Connor. What a lovely couple. Come to find out what the future has in store?

CHASE
Sure. Why not?

BRUCE
Anything for charity.

LYLE
Then please put money in my pot of gold.

Bruce puts a nice sum in.

LYLE
That's all? I mean, it's such a worthy cause.

Bruce tosses in some more as Lyle grabs his hand.

LYLE
What an interesting hand. So much success. So much power. Quite the star aren't we? All of Gotham at your feet. Inventive, rich , young, handsome - a beautiful woman. Everything that would make a person green with envy..!

BRUCE
(uncomfortable)
Why don't you read Dr.Meridien's hand here. She's much more interesting.

Lyle doesn't let go though

LYLE
But someone's coming to take your place. A genius, an architect of the future! Someone who will win the hearts, minds and money of Gotham City. You're a dinosaur.

The room has taken on a strange tone.

BRUCE
And who is this person?

LYLE
I don't know. All I see is a big question mark!!!

From O.S. A BIG MUSICAL INTRO

CHASE
The circus is starting.

BRUCE
Yeah...
(to Lyle)
Thanks.

Bruce and Chase shake off the eerie feeling as they leave and Lyle grabs all the money out of the pot and racing through the back of the BOOTH grabs his equipment. The Leprechaun jumps up, wearing his underwear.

LEPRECHAUN
Hey, my suit!

Thus, the Riddler's outfit is born.

In context, I'd have it so that this is Edward's first attempt at robbery (remember, he wants enough "production capital" so he can make more Boxes).  After this scene, he is actually caught by the circus security and loses out on the money he stole.  As he's in custody, Two-Face and his men strike and that's when he realizes he needs Two-Face's men and resources to get him to steal the money he needs.  He escapes from the circus in the frenzy.

This way, we not only get a sensible explanation for the Riddler outfit, but we also have stronger motivation for Edward to want to team up with Two-Face after seeing him strike at the circus.

[thecolorsblend]

Not sure if this is a "change" as such but I'd still like to see Schumacher's first cut of the movie. It might've been closer to 2.5 hours but I think I can handle that much Batman Forever, especially as most of the restored material would be more character-oriented stuff. Hell, a director's cut might even completely rehabilitate this movie among fans. I agree with the cuts that were made for theatrical presentations but a LOTR-esque extended edition could be interesting.