3) Val Kilmer As Batman (Batman Forever)
Tim Burton achieved the impossible and transformed the camp Batman of the 1960’s into a credible hero, one who drew in both huge audiences and critical acclaim. The dark tone of Batman and its sequel captured the essence of the comics in a way never seen before, but credit must also be allocated to Michael Keaton, who imbued the character with a gritty countenance that seemed more believable than the few big screen heroes who had come before.
When the inevitable third installment entered production, the studio eschewed the dark violence of Burton’s Batman in favor of a more family-friendly approach helmed by Joel Schumacher. Keaton didn’t agree with the new vision and stepped away from the role, which led to the hiring of Val Kilmer for the part just days later, allegedly accepting the role before even reading a script.
Creator Bob Kane apparently felt that Kilmer did the best job of portraying Batman onscreen up to that point, but not all of the critics were as kind. Kilmer may have been solid in the role of billionaire Bruce Wayne, but when he put on the cowl, the actor became the most forgettable of the bunch. It turns out that Schumacher wasn’t a fan either, as the two men regularly clashed together on set, which undoubtedly led to Kilmer’s departure from the franchise after only one film.
Batman Forever heralded the beginning of the end for both Kilmer’s career and the reputation of the Dark Knight on screen, although fans who thought things couldn’t get any worse for their favourite vigilante were in for a nasty shock just two short years later…