SDCC 24: ‘Batman Forever: Schumacher Cut’ Was Very Close to Being Released

by Eric Lee
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Screenwriter Akiva Goldman reported that the Schumacher Cut of Batman Forever was super close to being released.

At a Producers on Producing panel at San Diego Comic-Con, Goldsman talked about the infamous director’s cut of the film. He has been advocating for a director’s cut release similar to Zack Snyder’s Justice League.

“Yes, it does exist. There is a preview called ‘Preview One.’ Most of the material that is available is put back together. There’s not a lot out there that folks haven’t seen that you couldn’t cobble [together]. I did talk to Warner [Bros]. This was one administration ago. My fantasy was to try and resurrect [Batman Forever] as a sort of celebration with Joel after he died.”

Goldsman also went on to discuss how the different cut really changed the tone of the movie. 

“It was darker. Bruce was haunted by his past. He felt guilt. It’s all the stuff you read. None of that is mysterious. It was a more modern interpretation of the narrative, and what’s not dissimilar to those [stories] that we sort of caught up with now. I’ve seen it. It was put back together.”

How Close to a ‘Batman Forever’ Release Did We Get?

According to Goldsman, Warner Bros Studios only needs to invest about a million dollars to restore the cut to make it look presentable to the public. He initially spearheaded a push to get the cut released in honor of Joel Schumacher’s death. Allegedly the studio made headway to make it happen. Unfortunately, by then the studio fell under new management and the project was scuttled again.

…there’s some visual effects that need to be finished. There would be some music that would have to be if not re-scored or rewritten. The whole soup to nuts was about a million bucks. They were on the verge of doing it and then Warner got sold again. There’s a-whole-nother DC. Once the new DC world is moving forward, I will bat my eyes with everybody again and see if once more we can answer that.”

Say what you will about Goldsman’s involvement with this movie or Batman and Robin, but it is honorable that he is so persistent with pushing for the Schumacher Cut release.

The Schumacher cut floated around for years since the theatrical film’s release in 1995. Many scenes were featured in media adaptations of Forever, but nowhere to be found in the actual film cut. This included more about Bruce Wayne getting temporary amnesia, more of Tommy Lee Jones’ Two-Face being disfigured and escaping from Arkham Asylum, and- yes- a vision where Bruce confronts a giant bat creature.

Amusingly, apparently the directors cut also had deleted scene starring future- Mandalorian and Iron Man director Jon Favreau in a small role as a financial consultant to Wayne Enterprises. Don’t worry, Jon. You may have been under appreciated at Wayne Enterprises, but Stark Industries will welcome you with open arms.

Source: Gizmodo.com

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