Val Edward Kilmer (born December 31, 1959) is an American actor who portrayed Bruce Wayne/Batman in Batman Forever (1995), replacing Michael Keaton. Kilmer decided not to return for Batman & Robin (1997), so was replaced by George Clooney.
Kilmer was the only Batman actor that actually recorded a new interview for 2005's Shadows of the Bat: The Cinematic Saga of the Dark Knight.
As Batman[]
Replacing Michael Keaton[]
Joel Schumacher wanted Michael Keaton to return as Batman in Batman Forever with Lee and Janet Scott Batchler writing it with his voice in mind, since they already had Tommy Lee Jones as Two-Face, and Schumacher asked Robin Williams to play The Riddler before Jim Carrey was cast. Keaton's agency wanted $15 million and the piece of the gross and merchandising, but Keaton never liked the idea of Batman with a bigger role at the time and took a pass on that. And Kilmer was cast.
Difficult to work with[]
Director Joel Schumacher has often remarked about how "difficult" it had been to work with Kilmer.
Reception[]
Some critics charged that Kilmer gave a wooden performance as Bruce Wayne. Film critic Leonard Maltin, who criticized the dark tone contained in Batman Returns, complimented Kilmer's portrayal when he reviewed the film for his expanding collection of film reviews. Batman creator Bob Kane said in Batman & Robin: The Making of the Movie that George Clooney was more accurate to his vision of the character. Daniel Waters thought Kilmer was the best, admitting that he believed Michael Keaton took the role far too seriously in a 1995 issue of Film Review.
Departure from the Batman franchise[]
Kilmer's departure from the series is a vague and controversial topic. Different stores have been given from different parties over the years.
Quotes[]
Gallery[]
Videos[]
