Batman Forever:
Trivia
This is the second time Val Kilmer and Michael Gough were in a movie together. The first movie was the 1984 comedy Top Secret!, in which Kilmer made his debut.
One other name that was thrown out by Warner Bros. for Batman Forever was Batman Strikes.
Mel Gibson was rumored to be almost cast as Two-Face, and Micky Dolenz filmed a screen test to audition for the Riddler. Ironically, in 1956, a 10- year-old Dolenz starred in the TV series "Circus Boy" with Robert Lowery, who played Batman in the 1949 Columbia serial Batman and Robin.
Schumacher said he chose Kilmer for the part of Batman after seeing his performance as Doc Holliday in 1993's Tombstone, believing Kilmer had the good looks, the physicality and the acting ability to play both Batman & Bruce Wayne. Unfortunately, the working relationship between Schumacher and Kilmer during filming was said to be very, very tense, with the two frequently arguing over the film's tone and direction and, at one point, reportedly getting into a shoving match with each other (Kilmer reportedly wanted a more serious and dramatic tone as opposed to the more lighthearted one the film was boasting). Nothing of this reported conflict was mentioned in the making of documentaries for the Batman DVD anthology and, in his audio commentary, Schumacher even states that he thinks Kilmer was the best of the Batman actors from this era (though he doesn't talk much about Kilmer during the commentary), and also complimented him on the opening fight sequence between Batman and Two-Face's thugs, citing that Kilmer did most of that fight himself, even while wearing a 50-lb. rubber bat-suit.
In one early 1993 draft, the villains were originally set to be Two-Face and The Scarecrow. Brad Dourif was set to play The Scarecrow.
Tim Burton intended to direct the third film in the franchise, but it became clear that Warner Bros. didn't want him to do it. According to the audio commentary on the 2005 Batman Returns DVD, Burton admits that he didn't exit the series, but rather, was asked not to return.
Detective Harvey Bullock was originally set to have a small role in the film, but Warner Bros. thought he would be confused with Harvey Dent/Two-Face.
Brad Dourif was considered for the role of the Riddler.
Robin Williams was offered the role of the Riddler, but he refused to consider it pending an apology from Warner Bros. for their casting of the Joker in the original Batman movie; Jack Nicholson had been the offered the role of Joker first but kept delaying his answer, and Williams was offered the role. The producers turned around and informed Nicholson that Williams was considering the offer, and Nicholson accepted.
Over 40 minutes of the movie was cut to make it more appealing and marketable to viewers with children. It was rumored for some time that this footage would be restored on the 'Director's Cut' DVD released in the upcoming 2005 boxset of the 1989-1997 films. However, Warner Bros. have declared plans for this were abandoned, although the Special Features on the disc will include some deleted scenes separate from the main feature.
Commissioner Gordon (played by Pat Hingle) was originally going to be shot and killed by Two-Face in an early draft, but the idea was turned down when WB wanted a family-friendly Batman film that children could go to.
Chris O'Donnell, Corey Feldman, Corey Haim, and even Leonardo DiCaprio auditioned for the role of Robin in Batman Forever. Ultimately, O'Donnell won the part over DiCaprio, supposedly because Schumacher thought that audiences would believe the former throwing a punch over the latter. Christian Bale, who played Batman in Batman Begins, was also considered for Robin.
Billy Dee Williams agreed to play Harvey Dent in the original Batman, hoping that the role would guarantee he would be playing Two-Face himself in a sequel. However, he was eventually bought out in order to recast the role with Tommy Lee Jones. Many fans have noted that they disliked Jones' manic performance and believed that Williams would have done a better job.
In one scene, Two-Face is repeatedly flipping his coin, trying to get the result he wants. This has irked many comic book fans, who claim that it ignores the character's compulsion, as portrayed in the comic books, to use the coin to decide whether to abide by the law or break it, and to accept whatever action a coin flip dictated.
In an editing mistake during a flashback scene (in which Harvey Dent becomes Two-Face when a criminal throws acid in his face), the "acid" visibly hits Tommy Lee Jones completely in the face before he could cover the one side which would stay normal.
Exploring alternative casting options, comedian Marlon Wayans was screen tested for the role of Robin.
The movie is 122 minutes long, shorter than the Burton films.
In the comics, Robin is a teenager; Chris O'Donnell was around 25 years old during filming. In the film, however, he still asks about Social Services after his parents were killed, implying that he was in fact a teenager.
When Dick is talking to Batman about superhero names he could use, he says Nightwing, which is his current identity in the comics.
Seven-time Grammy nominees En Vogue played hookers in the film. Martial-arts expert Don "The Dragon" Wilson played a gang leader.
In one scene, Bruce Wayne mentions that the travelling circus has moved onto Metropolis, a clear reference to the fictional city of another DC Comics character, Superman.
In the original script, Two-Face's female servants, Sugar and Spice, were known as "Lace" and "Leather", respectively.
In this film, Two-Face is referred to as "Harvey Two Face".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman_Forever
