Editing Batman Returns (section)

===Writing===
[[File:Dan Waters.jpg|thumb|alt=Daniel Waters, seated at a table and speaking into a microphone|Writer [[Daniel Waters (screenwriter)|Daniel Waters]] (in 2008) was hired by Tim Burton to revise [[Sam Hamm]]'s initial draft.]]
Waters began writing his first draft in mid-1990.{{sfn|Shapiro|1992|p=32}} Burton's only instructions were that the script have no connection to ''Batman'', outside of a singular reference to Vale as Wayne's ex-girlfriend, and that Catwoman have a greater characterization than sexy vixen.<ref name="AFICatalog"/><ref name="VultureWaters"/><ref name="NYTimesWelch"/> Waters did not like the 1989 film, and had no interest in following its narrative threads, acknowledging the comic-book histories of ''Batman Returns''{{'}} characters, or considering the opinions of their fans, saying: "We were really just about the art."<ref name="DOGBatmanRetro"/><ref name="VultureWaters"/><ref name="NYTimesWelch"/> Unlike Hamm, Waters was not opposed to Batman killing people, believing the character should reflect contemporary, darker times, and that the idea of a hero leaving captured villains for the authorities was outdated.<ref name="DOGBatmanRetro"/> Even so, Waters only had Batman kill when necessary so it would be more meaningful; he was unhappy with some of the unscripted on-screen deaths in the finished film, such as Batman blowing up a Red Triangle member.<ref name="THRReturnsat25"/> Much of Waters's "bitter and cynical" dialogue for Batman (such as Gotham City not deserving protection) was removed because Keaton said that Batman should rarely speak in costume and Burton wanted Batman to be driven by trauma not nihilism.{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="THRReturnsat25"/><ref name="DOGBatmanRetro"/><ref name="VultureWaters"/>{{sfn|Shapiro|1992|p=62}}}}

As a result, the script focused on villains. Burton said that he initially struggled to understand the appeal of the Penguin's comic-book counterpart; Batman, Catwoman, and the Joker had clear psychological profiles, but the Penguin was "just this guy with a cigarette and a top hat."<ref name="DOGBatmanRetro"/> The initial draft made the character resemble a stereotypical DeVito character (an abrasive gangster), but Waters and Burton agreed to make him more "animalistic".{{sfn|Shapiro|1992|p=32}} They decided to make the Penguin a tragic figure, abandoned as an infant by his parents—a reflection of Batman's childhood trauma of losing his parents.<ref name="DOGBatmanRetro"/> Political and social satire was added, influenced by two episodes of the 1960s television series, ''[[Batman (TV series)|Batman]]'', ("Hizzoner the Penguin" and "Dizhonner the Penguin") in which the Penguin runs for mayor.<ref name="TheRinger2022"/><ref name="DOGBatmanRetro"/> Waters changed Hamm's Catwoman from a "fetishy sexual fantasy" ''[[femme fatale]]'' to a working-class, disenchanted secretary, writing her as an allegory of contemporary feminism.<ref name="DOGBatmanRetro"/><ref name="TCM"/> Although the character is influenced by feline mythology (such as cats having nine lives), Waters and Burton never intended the supernatural elements to be taken literally and planned for Catwoman to die with Shreck during the electrical explosion in the film's denouement.<ref name="THRReturnsat25"/><ref name="CBRCatwomanNineLives"/>

Waters created Max Shreck—an original character named in honor of actor [[Max Schreck]]—to take the place of Harvey Dent/Two-Face.<ref name="DOGBatmanRetro"/><ref name="TCM"/> Shreck was written satirically as an evil industrialist who orchestrates the Penguin's mayoral run, in order to convey the message that true villains do not always wear costumes. In one version of the script, Shreck was the Penguin's more-favored brother.<ref name="TheRinger2022"/><ref name="DOGBatmanRetro"/> With four central characters to depict, Waters and Burton decided to remove Robin, a garage mechanic who helps Batman after Penguin crashes the Batmobile. They were not particularly interested in retaining the character, whom Waters described as worthless.<ref name="DOGBatmanRetro"/>{{sfn|White|1992|p=10}} The Red Triangle gang, initially conceived as a troupe of performance artists, were changed to circus clowns at Burton's request.<ref name="ColliderRedTriangle"/>

Waters said that his 160-page first draft was too outlandish and would have cost $400{{nbsp}}million to produce, leading him to become more restrained.{{sfn|Shapiro|1992|p=32}} His fifth (and final draft) focused more on characterization and interaction than on plot.{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="AFICatalog"/><ref name="DOGBatmanRetro"/><ref name="VultureWaters"/>{{sfn|Shapiro|1992|p=30}}}} Burton and Waters eventually fell out over disagreements about the script and Waters's refusal to implement requested changes. Burton hired [[Wesley Strick]] to refine Waters's work, streamline dialogue, and lighten the tone.{{sfn|Shapiro|1992|p=62}} Warner Bros. executives mandated that Strick introduce a master plan for the Penguin, resulting in the addition of the plot to kidnap Gotham's first-born sons and threaten the city with missiles.<ref name="DOGBatmanRetro"/><ref name="VultureWaters"/>{{sfn|White|1992|p=9}} Waters said that the changes to his work were relatively minor, but he was baffled by the Penguin's master plan.<ref name="AFICatalog"/><ref name="VultureWaters"/>{{sfn|Shapiro|1992|p=62}} He made a final revision to Strick's shooting screenplay and, although Strick was on set for four months of filming and agreed-upon rewriting, Waters was the only screenwriter credited.<ref name="AFICatalog"/><ref name="VultureWaters"/><ref name="Diabolique"/>