Ironhead Studios' work on Batman Returns and Batman Forever

[Batman]

Look, what I just found:

http://ironheadstudio.com/?page_id=8

Is it just me, or is that Michael Keaton's head on the Batman maquette?
I'm not sure why these pictures are posted in the Batman Returns section.
Some of them clearly seem like Batman Forever era work- you can see the redesigned Batmobile in the back of one picture.
Also, the final cowl clearly shows that it's fitted on a Val Kilmer head.

Anyway, all of those pictures where new to me, so I thought I should post them here for everyone else to see. They have a nice "What if?" feel to them.

[Paul (ral)]

Thanks for that link.

Some great work in those photos.

[DarkVengeance]

great pics, and great find!

[Sandman]

Wow i've never seen that before, just great.

[Proximo]

The black Panther cowl on the Kilmer lifecast is one of the cowls in Silicone, Used for the Water and Fire scenes. That picture was taken during pre-production because you can see a early design of the Sonar cowl in the back, So they had probably not started filming yet when that pic was taken.

Notice the small cowl maquette in the back on the picture were Jose is working on the Panther cowl sculpt. It was somewhat based on the Returns Cowl.

I dont think Keaton was still considered for the role when those pics were taken, Considering the pics shows Jose sculpting the Panther cowl on Kilmers lifecast with part of the torso on. And based on the Silicone cowl on the Kilmer lifecast they were probably pretty far in pre-production... Maybe even started to film some scenes.
Those Keaton Maquettes were probably only early designs that they did when they thought Keaton would return. They probably just happened to have them around the shop while they worked on the suits for Val. I read about rumors of Keaton being there doing test fittings aswell. But its not been confirmed and i highly doubt he did that.

[Paul (ral)]

Excellent post Proximo - welcome to the site by the way 

What was the benefit of silicone for the Water and Fire scenes? Sorry if it is a painfully obvious question!

[Proximo]

Thanks.

They used silicone for all water scenes because foam would have soaked up the water as a Foam sponge and been too heavy after he hit the water. They did Silicone suits of the Sonar and Robin suits aswell for the water scenes at the end for the same reason.

In the fire scene they had to use silicone because Foam would burn up in an instant. They did the same in Begins.

[Proximo]

I have been a lurker for a long time, But decided to join up cuz this board is about the whole movie's and not just the suits. But i enjoy talking about the original suits wich is hard to do on other boards that are about replicas.

[DarkVengeance]

Welcome Proximo!!

[Proximo]

Thanks man.
I will upload some pics of my Screen used/Original Batman Forever Pieces in a week or so.