- Nearly 30 years later, stars Chris O’Donnell and Alicia Silverstone are reflecting on the intense backlash against 1997’s Batman & Robin.
- O’Donnell recalls the “so much hatred” surrounding the film and reveals that director Joel Schumacher was left “heartbroken” by the reception.
- Silverstone, who won a Razzie for her role, notes the film has since undergone a “revival,” becoming a camp classic beloved by many of her gay friends.
- The movie’s infamous critical and box office failure effectively put the Batman film franchise on ice for nearly a decade.
A Look Back at the Caped Crusader’s Biggest Bomb
For nearly three decades, 1997’s Batman & Robin has been the punchline of the superhero genre—a film so notoriously bad it nearly killed the Dark Knight’s cinematic career. Now, its stars, Chris O’Donnell (Robin) and Alicia Silverstone (Batgirl), are opening up about the difficult experience of promoting a movie they knew was being savaged by critics and fans alike.
Promoting a Movie Amidst “So Much Hatred”
In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, the actors recounted the painful press tour for the Joel Schumacher-directed film. As negative reviews poured in, the atmosphere became increasingly strained.
“All of a sudden, you were starting to get the feedback, and you realize it was just going sideways,” O’Donnell said. “There was so much hatred of the film when it came out. It was like, ‘Oh my God.’ And you want to do your job and promote the movie…”
The backlash was so severe that it took a toll on the director. “I remember at one point Joel Schumacher just threw up the flag,” O’Donnell recalled. “He’s like, ‘I’m out. I can’t do it anymore.’ He was so heartbroken and kind of bummed out about it.”
From Razzie Winner to Camp Classic
While the film was a critical and commercial flop, earning Silverstone a Razzie Award for Worst Supporting Actress, time has softened its legacy for some. The movie’s over-the-top, campy tone, which was a major point of criticism in the 90s, has helped it find a new audience.
“Batgirl had a revival!” Silverstone explained. “When it came out, I don’t think people liked it very much. But later on people told me it’s their favorite movie. [At least] all my gay friends. It’s very camp.”
The film, which also starred George Clooney as Batman and Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mr. Freeze, became infamous for its garish visuals and, most notably, the addition of nipples to the Batsuit—a decision Clooney himself has since mocked.
The Legacy of a Failure
The failure of Batman & Robin was so profound that it halted any new Batman films for eight years. The franchise remained dormant until Christopher Nolan successfully rebooted it with the dark and gritty Batman Begins in 2005, setting a new, more serious tone that would define the character for a generation.
Despite the initial fallout, O’Donnell now looks back on the experience with a more philosophical perspective. “It was a tough one for us to all to digest,” he admitted, but concluded, “We were lucky to be in the movie, and it was fun to be a part of it. It is what it is. Some work out and some don’t.”
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