FILMFACTS
PRODUCTION
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The Bat.. Is back!
Jack Nicholson stars as the most memorable Batman villian... The Joker.
Production
Go behind the scenes on the 1989 Action / Adventure movie starring Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger, Billy Dee Williams
Jerry Hall, Pat Hingle, Michael Gough, Robert Wuhl, Jack Palance, Tracey Walter, Lee Wallace, William Hootkins, Richard Strange, Carl Chase, Mac McDonald, George Lane Cooper, Terence Plummer, Philip Tan, John Sterland, Edwin Craig Update Cast
We believe the following info is all legit. If it's bogus or you have additional info, please update us.
Thanks to Chris Behnken
To prepare for the role, Michael Keaton worked out for two months and learned kickboxing from his stunt double, David Lea. Though hard to spot, many of the fight scenes are just about evenly split between Keaton and David Lea in costume, depending on the level of physical demand. Michael Keaton would go on to perform more of his own stuntwork for Batman Returns, according to Tim Burton's commentary.Although Michael Keaton did physically prepare for the role (working out, fight training), stunt doubles were still required, due to the heavy and restrictive nature of the batsuit. Sean McCabe(RIP) did the standard stunts (falls, etc), Dave Lea did the more elaborate fights (the alley and cathederal), as well as a ballet dancer for swishing the cape. On Batman Returns, Dave Lea (returning as Keaton's double, as well as trainer and the films fight choreographer) got Keaton more involved in the fight scenes (even putting him in for some moves in the big street fight with the Red Triangle Circus gang).
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Adam West (the star of the TV series) wanted to play Batman, but Michael Keaton was given the role after getting the nod from Bob Kane, one of the creators of the original Batman comic strip. Adam was (rightly) very disappointed to be 'blanked' by the filmmakers by not ever being talked with or asked to participate in the film in any way, not even a cameo.Adam West: "Contrary to popular misconception, I wasn't asked to do a cameo as Bruce Wayne's father, Thomas" - Page 206, Back to the Batcave, Adam West (1994)
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Bob Cane, when designing the costume for Batman, had attended a stage play called "Nosferatu" with Maxwell Schreck playing the title role. It was the cape that Maxwell wore that helped inspire the cape and over-all look of the bat-costume. Maxwell Schreck was paid homage in "Batman Returns" when a character bearing his name was played by Christopher Walken.Thanks to Steven Murray
When Annette Benning pulled out of production on 'Batman Returns' she was allegedly going to be paid $45000, when Michelle Pfeiffer took over the role (thank God) her payment shot up to one million dollars.Rewind Archive
The Batman script changed quite a bit from Sam Hamm's original screenplay even as the script was being filmed. Filming of the climax of the movie coincided with the Hollywood writer's strike, and, as a result, Burton and Keaton both have said they were writing the ending to the film on set. This might explain how the biggest gripe of the Batman film made it into the movie: the Bat-wing is felled by a single bullet notwithstanding that the Batmobile was bulletproof.Rewind Archive
Anton Furst's designs for Gotham City were eventually incorporated into the comic book depiction of Gotham City in the early 1990s as a tribute to Furst who died shortly after filming. Most of his designs eventually disappeared from the comic book Gotham, especially after Gotham was decimated by an Earthquake, becoming a veritable "No Man's Land" for a time.Thanks to Steven Murray
In 'Batman Returns' Michelle Pfeiffer (Catwoman) picked up how to use the bull whip very quickly. Her trainer on set said she could have been a 'master of the whip'. She performed all her own whip stunts. In one scene, while she's destroying Shrecks department store, she whipped the heads off three manequins in her first and only take. MEOW!Thanks to Steven Murray
In 'Batman Returns' Michael Keaton and Michelle Pfeiffer had more than just on-screen chemistry as they had previously dated.Thanks to Patrick Magallanes
When Tim Burton first read "Batman: The Dark Night Returns", he wanted to do the film based on the comic. In the comic, it had so much story that if it were a movie it would be about four hours! Warner Bros. didn't want that, so they told Burton to do something different!Rewind Archive
Robin was close to appearing in both "Batman" and "Batman Returns". In the latter film, the producers went so far as to cast Marlon Wayans as Robin. The story goes that Burton (rightly) felt there were too many new characters in the film already, and Robin had no importance to the story. Supposedly, Burton promised Marlon he'd be in the next one ("Batman Forever") but Schumacher became the director and cast Chris O'Donnell. This is similar to Billy Dee Williams, who was promised to the role of Two-Face in a future film before the character was re-cast.Thanks to Joe Stachler
Rene Russo was originally cast as Dr. Chase Meridian for "Batman Forever" to play opposite Michael Keaton as Batman. When Keaton bowed out and Kilmer took over, Nicole Kidman was cast as Chase because it was decided she'd have better chemistry opposite Kilmer.Thanks to Frankie
When Keaton got the part of Batman, fans cried bloody murder and some even threatened to boycott Batman merchandise. Years later, fans screamed bloody murder when Michael Keaton left and was replaced by Val Kilmer.Thanks to Frankie
Actors considered for the part included Mel Gibson, Charlie Sheen, Pierce Brosnan and, for some reason known only to God, Bill Murray.Rewind Archive
Sean Young was originally cast as Vicki Vale, but broke her collarbone while filming a horse-riding scene with Michael Keaton. The scene was subsequently written out of the script.Thanks to Santiago Velasquez
As a result, Sean Young wanted the part of CatWoman in the sequel so badly that she allegedly went 'temporarily insane', dressing up as CatWoman and accosting studio reps at Warner Brothers. She even sported the old CatWoman "purrrrrfect" accent when delivering interviews. The part eventually went to Michelle Pfeiffer. Sean Young eventually went to Ace Ventura... Poor girl!Thanks to Chas Garfield
Before sending the "Bat-Man" concept to DC comics, Bill Finger, friend to Bob Kane, helped Bob a great deal. Kane's original designs were comical, depicting a buccanear type hero, with a red hood, mask and only a small glider with bat wings. With Bills re-sketches, Batman became the comic legend we see today, instead of Bob Kanes' comic version.Thanks to Ash
The costume design for the '89 movie was supposed to mirror that of the the '60's original, but Burton wanted to opt for something more dark, brooding and sleeker, ending up with the final design. The all-black costume was to mirror the fact that Batman owns the night.Thanks to Dewey
The stages used in the scenes involving the staircase were redesigned and used in Spiderman as the Osborn mansion.Rewind Archive
Set designer Anton Furst deliberately mixed clashing architectural styles to make Gotham City (which was based on New York City) the ugliest and bleakest metropolis imaginable.Rewind Archive
The plastic surgeons tools are originally from fellow Warner Bros. production Little Shop Of Horrors (1986). They were the dentist tools owned by Orin Scrivello.Rewind Archive
Bob Kane was scheduled to make a cameo appearence, but he couldn't make the shoot. The drawing that the newspaper report holds up of the "Bat-Man" was drawn by Kane.Rewind Archive
The throne the Joker sits on when he spreads money over the city is a copy of the "Silver Throne", the royal throne of Sweden which the king of Sweden still uses at the opening of the Swedish Parliament. The replica was made for the film "Queen Christina"(1933)Rewind Archive
Tim Curry was an original choice to play The Joker. Robin Williams was also considered for the role of The Joker; he would later be considered for The Riddler as well.Rewind Archive
Jack Nicholson got the role of Joker but demanded top billing and a lucrative deal that gave him royalties on all merchandise. His deal for Batman has been considered one of the smartest ever.Rewind Archive
Hatfield House (Wayne Manor) was also seen in the video game based movie "Tomb Raider".Rewind Archive
The Joker's last name of 'Napier' was used as a tribute to actor Alan Napier who played Alfred on the t.v. series. He sadly died 2 months before the movie began production.Thanks to Walter
Micheal Keaton sprained a muscle in his calf while filming the opening roof-top scene, due to the inflexibility of the costume, when he tried to kick a thug. As a result, his leg no longer goes as high as normal to this day.Next Section: Deleted Scenes
Deleted Scenes
There are often scenes cut from the final version of a movie. Sometimes these will have been seen by preview audiences, or be included in Blu-ray or DVD extras etc.
The following missing scenes from Batman are believed legit. If you disagree or have additional info, please update us.Thanks to annericelover
During the mayhem of the Gotham City Anniversary Celebration, Batman saves a little girl and she ask "Is it Halloween?" and Batman smirks at her and runs off.This scene appears in one of the documentaries on the 2 Disc Special Edition DVD.
Next Section: Alternate Versions
Alternate Versions
Sometimes, there will be several versions of a movie floating about on cable, tv or video etc. Other times, a Director may release a special cut of the movie on Blu-ray or DVD.
The following versions of Batman are apparently real. If you disagree or have additional info, please update us.Thanks to Matt Seidlitz
I remember that in the theater version Batman threw acid at Jack Napier, causing the damage to the Joker's face. In the DVD version it is caused by a bullet ricocheting off Batman's cape.Jump To: Filming Locations
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1989 Warner Bros.
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