Connection to the Burton films

[eledoremassis02]

Has anyone found subtle connections to Batman and Returns? 

- Catwoman being referenced
- Jack killing the Waynes flashback'
- Batman mentioning Joker/jack

One I just found
Some props are being sold and one of the covers features Bruce Wayne with a Gotham Globe paper

[Silver Nemesis]

The fact Kilmer's Bruce wears reading glasses demonstrates continuity with the Burton films. Bruce Wayne isn't normally shown to require glasses in other stories. It's a trait unique to the Burton/Schumacher version. Granted, there have been a few comics that have shown him wearing glasses over the years, but most were published soon after the release of the 1989 film and were likely trying to mirror the movie's portrayal.

Also worth mentioning is the presence of the batarang from BR, which can be seen in the Batcave armoury.

I know the Burton and Schumacher movies are meant to exist in separate universes now, but back when BF came out it was clearly intended to be Batman III. I still consider the Batman from B89, BR, BF, B&R and The Flash to be the same guy. My head canon explanation for why Clooney looks different from Keaton at the end of The Flash is that Barry rebooting the universe somehow changed his physical appearance. The reboot also scrambled his memory, which is why Keaton didn't know who Superman was, despite Clooney mentioning him in B&R. But I regard it as the same Batman in all five movies.

The same Batman who defeated the Joker, Penguin, Two-Face, Riddler, Mr Freeze, Bane and Poison Ivy; the same Batman who romanced Vicki Vale, Catwoman and Julie Madison; the same Batman who trained Robin and Batgirl; the same Batman who died while leading the Flashpoint Justice League in battle against General Zod's Kryptonian invasion force. When viewed as one character, that Batman's list of accomplishments outshines those of the Nolan or Affleck Batmen.

West is the GOAT for me, but when it comes to the modern movies this guy – with five movies under his utility belt – is my favourite.

[The Dark Knight]

Has anyone found subtle connections to Batman and Returns?

Yes. Chase refers to Catwoman with her skintight vinyl and whip comment, and in an extended scene Two Face mentions Batman being a killer. At the time Forever absolutely was a continuation of the Burton series, and we can pick and choose whatever timeline we want now. I don't have a problem with that.

As an aside, I think Kilmer could be the best overall Bruce we've had in the modern films, neck and neck with Affleck. He still has a weirdness about him but he's evolved from what we had with Keaton - more comfortable in public and a bigger role with Wayne Enterprises.

We all know the reclusiveness was perfectly suited to Keaton's sensibilities. His two are superglued at the top of my film rankings. But if I'm talking about the overall GOATs in terms of achievement, genius and character arcs, I have to go with Adam West and Kevin Conroy from the DCAU.

[Gotham Knight]

These connections feel much more pronounced in the extended cut, which better lets us into Bruce's head space, better depicting Batman as regretful of his choices, in need of reconciliation, and reluctant to lead Grayson down the same path. For my money I'd argue that Batman Forever is a better entry for a returning actor, in this case, Keaton. The story, especially the extended cut, better suits a Batman we are familiar with, as the themes are all dependent on you accepting that this is the same guy from the previous films. My respect for Kilmer's turn is a recent development. I more readily accept him these days and will even dare to say that he is very underrated. Still, an inopportune time to lose Keaton. I'm now convinced that Keaton should have just done the gig.