Editing Batman Forever (section)

=== Casting ===
Production went on fast track with [[Rene Russo]] cast as [[List of Batman supporting characters|Chase Meridian]], but Keaton decided not to reprise Batman because he did not like the direction the series was headed in, and rejected the script.<ref name=Val>{{cite magazine |last=Gordinier |first=Jeff |url=http://www.ew.com/article/1994/07/15/val-kilmer-takes-over-batman-forever |title=Next at ''Batman'' |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=July 15, 1994 |access-date=August 16, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080921055249/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C302969%2C00.html |archive-date=September 21, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>https://theplaylist.net/michael-keaton-batman-forever-joel-schumacher-20220103/</ref> Keaton also wanted to pursue "more interesting roles",<ref>{{cite news | author = Army Archerd | author-link = Army Archerd | url = https://variety.com/1994/voices/columns/culkin-kids-ink-with-wma-1117862593/ | title = Culkin kids ink with WMA |work = Variety | date = December 1, 1994 | access-date = August 16, 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120122065631/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117862593| archive-date=January 22, 2012| url-status=live}}</ref> turning down $15&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news|author=Staff|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/michael-keaton-takes-wing-in-birdman/3/|title=Michael Keaton takes wing in "Birdman"|work=CBS News|date=October 12, 2014|access-date=October 16, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016105434/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/michael-keaton-takes-wing-in-birdman/3/|archive-date=October 16, 2014}}</ref> A decision was made to go with a younger actor for Bruce Wayne, and an offer was made to [[Ethan Hawke]], who turned it down, but eventually regretted the decision; he would eventually voice the character in the preschool animated series ''[[Batwheels]]'' in 2022.<ref>{{cite news | author = Wiener, Jonah | url = http://www.details.com/celebrities-entertainment/movies-and-tv/201110/ethan-hawke-actor-woman-in-the-fifth | title = Q&A: Ethan Hawke | work = [[Details (magazine)|Details]] | date = October 2011 | access-date = August 7, 2012 | url-status=live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130809005043/http://www.details.com/celebrities-entertainment/movies-and-tv/201110/ethan-hawke-actor-woman-in-the-fifth | archive-date = August 9, 2013}}</ref> Schumacher had seen [[Val Kilmer]] in ''[[Tombstone (film)|Tombstone]]'', but was also interested in [[William Baldwin]], [[Ralph Fiennes]] (who would later voice Alfred Pennyworth in ''[[The Lego Batman Movie]]'' in 2017), and [[Daniel Day-Lewis]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Jett|title=William Baldwin Talks Batman And "Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths"|work=Batman-on-Film|date=December 16, 2009|url=http://www.batman-on-film.com/dccomics-on-film_JL-CRISIS-ON-TWO-EARTHS_William-Baldwin-talks-Batman_12-16-09.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226075047/http://www.batman-on-film.com/dccomics-on-film_JL-CRISIS-ON-TWO-EARTHS_William-Baldwin-talks-Batman_12-16-09.html|archive-date=February 26, 2012}}</ref> While Burton pushed for [[Johnny Depp]] to get the role, [[Kurt Russell]] was also considered.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://comicbookmovie.com/batman/batman_forever_1995/johnny-depp-was-almost-batman-in-batman-forever-a12646 | title=Johnny Depp Was Almost Batman in Batman Forever | date=December 10, 2009 }}</ref><ref name="LATimesKeaton">{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-07-08-ca-13379-story.html |title=It's Still a Riddle Why Keaton Didn't Stay 'Batman Forever'|work=Los Angeles Times |date=July 8, 1994 |access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref> Kilmer, who as a child visited the studios where the [[Batman (TV series)|1960s series]] was recorded, and shortly before had visited a bat cave in Africa, was contacted by his agent for the role. Kilmer signed on without reading the script or knowing who the director was.<ref name=hold>{{cite news | author=Nathan, Ian | title=Hold me, thrill me, kiss me, Kilmer |work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] | pages=108–117 | date=August 1995 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/val-kilmer-batman-forever-batsuit-1234994636/ | title=Val Kilmer Compares Playing Batman to Acting in a Soap Opera: "It Made No Difference What I Was Doing" | website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] | date=August 9, 2021 }}</ref>

With Kilmer's casting, Warner Bros. dropped Russo, considering her too old to be paired with Kilmer.<ref name=Val/> [[Jeanne Tripplehorn]] and [[Linda Hamilton]] were considered for the role, which was eventually recast with [[Nicole Kidman]].<ref name=BatmanVillains>{{cite magazine |first=Judy |last=Brennan |url=http://www.ew.com/article/1994/06/03/cast-announcement-batman-forever |title=Batman Battles New Bat Villains |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=June 3, 1994 |access-date=August 16, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828181228/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C302503%2C00.html |archive-date=August 28, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="LATimesKeaton"/> Kidman later revealed she took the role because she "wanted to kiss Batman."<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/nicole-kidman-batman-forever-role-kiss-batman-1235985989/|title= Nicole Kidman Says She Took 'Batman Forever' Role So She Could "Kiss Batman"|author=TATIANA TENREYRO|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=August 28, 2024|accessdate=August 28, 2024}}</ref> [[Billy Dee Williams]] took the role of Harvey Dent in ''[[Batman (1989 film)|Batman]]'' on the possibility of portraying Two-Face in a sequel, but Schumacher cast [[Tommy Lee Jones]] in the role, although [[Al Pacino]], [[Clint Eastwood]], [[Martin Sheen]] and [[Robert De Niro]] were considered,<ref>{{cite AV media |chapter=Batman Heroes Profile: Harvey Dent |title=[[Batman (1989 film)|Batman]] Special Edition |medium=DVD | publisher=Warner Bros. Home Video |year=2005}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Batman Forever, and its villain problem |url=https://www.filmstories.co.uk/features/batman-forever-and-its-villain-problem/ |newspaper=Film Stories |date=September 17, 2020 |last1=Harrison |first1=Mark }}</ref> after working with him on ''The Client''. Jones was reluctant to accept the role,<ref name=shadowbat>{{cite video | title = Shadows of the Bat: The Cinematic Saga of the Dark Knight-Reinventing a Hero| type = DVD | publisher = [[Warner Bros.]] |year=2005}}</ref> but did so at his son's insistence.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Good Son |first=Cindy |last=Pearlman |newspaper=Entertainment Weekly |url=https://ew.com/batman-forever/ |access-date=July 19, 2009|date=July 22, 1994|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622075407/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,303022,00.html|archive-date=June 22, 2013}}</ref>

[[Robin Williams]] was in discussions to be the Riddler at one point,<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Pearlman |first=Cindy |url=https://ew.com/article/1993/12/17/entertainment-news-week-december-17-1993/ |title=Flashes: No Joker |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=December 17, 1993 |access-date=August 16, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080921055300/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C308987%2C00.html |archive-date=September 21, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> and was reportedly in competition for the role with [[John Malkovich]].<ref name=Russo /><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Cagle |first=Jess |date=August 6, 1993 |url=https://ew.com/article/1993/08/06/john-malkovich-line-fire/ |title=''Line of Fire'' bad guy John Malkovich is so good it's criminal |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151102094048/https://ew.com/article/1993/08/06/john-malkovich-line-fire/ |archive-date=November 2, 2015 |access-date=May 17, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> In June 1994, the role was given to [[Jim Carrey]] after Williams had reportedly turned it down.<ref name=BatmanVillains /> In a 2003 interview, Schumacher stated [[Michael Jackson]] had lobbied hard for the role, but was turned down before Carrey was cast.<ref>{{cite news |author=Mike Thomas |title=Hey, what about that man in the glass booth? |work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |date=March 31, 2003}}</ref> [[Brad Dourif]] (who was Burton's original choice to portray the Joker and Scarecrow after), [[Kelsey Grammer]], [[Micky Dolenz]], [[Matthew Broderick]], [[Phil Hartman]] and [[Steve Martin]] were said to have been considered.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/batman-forever-michael-jackson-role-explained/ |title=The Batman Movie Role Michael Jackson Wanted to Play (Yes, It Would've Been Bad) |website=[[Screen Rant]] |date=June 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/batman-forever-secrets-behind-scenes-trivia/ |title=15 Crazy Secrets Behind Batman Forever |website=[[Screen Rant]] |date=April 17, 2018 }}</ref>

[[Robin (comics)|Robin]] had appeared in the [[shooting script]] for ''Batman Returns'' but was deleted due to having too many characters. [[Marlon Wayans]] had been cast in the role and signed on for a potential sequel, but when Schumacher took over, he decided to open up casting to other actors.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rabin |first=Nathan |url=https://www.avclub.com/content/node/23240 |title=Wayans World |website=[[The A.V. Club]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226192703/http://www.avclub.com/articles/marlon-wayans%2C13500/ |archive-date=February 26, 2009 |date=February 25, 1998 |access-date=August 17, 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Leonardo DiCaprio]] was considered, but decided not to pursue the role after a meeting with Schumacher.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.shortlist.com/entertainment/dicaprio-interview |title=DiCaprio Interview |work=[[ShortList]] |date=July 15, 2010 |access-date=September 17, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014070403/http://www.shortlist.com/entertainment/dicaprio-interview |archive-date=October 14, 2014 }}</ref> Among others, [[Matt Damon]], [[Corey Haim]], [[Corey Feldman]], [[Mark Wahlberg]], [[Michael Worth]], [[Toby Stephens]], [[Ewan McGregor]], [[Jude Law]], [[Alan Cumming]] and [[Scott Speedman]]<!--Please do not add more actors without further sources, the casting list is a wide net and for fairness only those with ticks are included.--> were considered.{{efn|Attributed to multiple references.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://collider.com/matt-damon-robin-batman-movie/|title=Matt Damon Reveals He Auditioned to Play Robin in Two Different Batman Movies|website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|date=July 29, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://screenrant.com/mark-wahlberg-almost-played-batman-and-robin-dick-grayson/ | title=Mark Wahlberg Reveals the Controversial DC Superhero He Almost Played 27 Years Ago | website=[[Screen Rant]] | date=March 14, 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a368806/danny-dyer-i-auditioned-for-robin-in-batman-robin/ |title=Danny Dyer: 'I auditioned for Robin in Batman & Robin' |work=Digital Spy |last=Nissim |first=Mayer |date=January 2, 2012 |access-date=August 31, 2021 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606105735/https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a368806/danny-dyer-i-auditioned-for-robin-in-batman-robin/ |archive-date=June 6, 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://filmstories.co.uk/features/batman-forever-and-its-villain-problem/ | title=Batman Forever, and its villain problem | work=Film Stories | date=September 17, 2020 | last1=Harrison | first1=Mark }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mensjournal.com/adventure/from-pro-swimmer-to-movie-star-scott-speedmans-unlikely-rise-20141209/ | title=From Pro Swimmer to Movie Star: Scott Speedman's Unlikely Rise | date=December 4, 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cotter |first=Padraig |date=2022-06-25 |title=Did Christian Bale Audition To Play Batman Forever's Robin? (Rumor Explained) |url=https://screenrant.com/batman-forever-movie-christian-bale-robin-audition-rumor-false/ |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=[[Screen Rant]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Faraci |first=Derek |date=2020-03-26 |title=10 Awesome Things You Didn't Know About Batman Forever |url=https://www.cbr.com/batman-forever-behind-the-scenes-trivia/ |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=[[Comic Book Resources|CBR]]}}</ref>}} [[Chris O'Donnell]] was cast and [[Mitch Gaylord]] served as his [[stunt double]], and also portrayed Mitch Grayson, Dick's older brother, created for the film.<ref name=BatmanVillains /> Schumacher attempted to create a cameo role for [[Bono]] as his MacPhisto character, but both came to agree it was not suitable for the film.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1994-12-16/entertainment/9412140581_1_joel-schumacher-batman-strange-days |title=Bono's Movie Debut Stays Out Of Reach |agency=[[Tribune Media Services]] |newspaper=[[South Florida Sun-Sentinel]] |date=December 16, 1994 |access-date=March 27, 2012 |at=section Showtime, p. 14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20120328000030/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1994-12-16/entertainment/9412140581_1_joel-schumacher-batman-strange-days |archive-date=March 28, 2012 }}</ref>