Batman

‘Batman’ star Val Kilmer dies at 65

Val Kilmer, the brooding, versatile actor who played fan favourite Iceman in “Top Gun,” donned a voluminous cape as Batman in “Batman Forever” and portrayed Jim Morrison in “The Doors,” has died. He was 65. Kilmer died Tuesday night in Los Angeles, surrounded by family and friends, his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, said in an email to The Associated Press. The Times was the first to report his death on Tuesday. Val Kilmer died from pneumonia. He had recovered after a 2014 throat cancer diagnosis that required two tracheotomies. “I have behaved poorly. I have behaved bravely. I have behaved bizarrely to some. I deny none of this and have no regrets because I have lost and found parts of myself that I never knew existed,” he says toward the end of “Val,” the 2021 documentary on his career. “And I am blessed.” Kilmer, the youngest actor ever accepted to the prestigious Juilliard School at the time he attended, experienced the ups and downs of fame more dramatically than most. His break came in 1984’s spy spoof “Top Secret!” followed by the comedy “Real Genius” in 1985. Kilmer would later show his comedy chops again in films including “MacGruber” and “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.” Ryan Coogler keen to cast Denzel Washington in ‘Black Panther 3’ His movie career hit its zenith in the early 1990s as he made a name for himself as a dashing leading man, starring alongside Kurt Russell and Bill Paxton in 1993’s “Tombstone,” as Elvis’ ghost in “True Romance” and as a bank-robbing demolition expert in Michael Mann’s 1995 film “Heat” with Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. “While working with Val on ‘Heat’ I always marvelled at the range, the brilliant variability within the powerful current of Val’s possessing and expressing character," director Michael Mann said in a statement Tuesday night. Actor Josh Brolin, a friend of Kilmer, was among others paying tribute. “You were a smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker,” Brolin wrote on Instagram. “There’s not a lot left of those.” Kilmer — who took part in the Method branch of Suzuki arts training — threw himself into parts. When he played Doc Holliday in “Tombstone,” he filled his bed with ice for the final scene to mimic the feeling of dying from tuberculosis. To play Morrison, he wore leather pants all the time, asked castmates and crew to only refer to him as Jim Morrison and blasted The Doors for a year. That intensity also gave Kilmer a reputation that he was difficult to work with, something he grudgingly agreed with later in life, but always defending himself by emphasizing art over commerce. “In an unflinching attempt to empower directors, actors and other collaborators to honor the truth and essence of each project, an attempt to breathe Suzukian life into a myriad of Hollywood moments, I had been deemed difficult and alienated the head of every major studio,” he wrote in his memoir, “I’m Your Huckleberry.” One of his more iconic roles — hotshot pilot Tom “Iceman” Kazansky opposite Tom Cruise — almost didn’t happen. Kilmer was courted by director Tony Scott for “Top Gun” but initially balked. “I didn’t want the part. I didn’t care about the film. The story didn’t interest me,” he wrote in his memoir. He agreed after being promised that his role would improve from the initial script. He would reprise the role in the film’s 2022 sequel, “Top Gun: Maverick.” One career nadir was playing Batman in Joel Schumacher’s goofy, garish “Batman Forever” with Nicole Kidman and opposite Chris O’Donnell‘s Robin — before George Clooney took up the mantle for 1997’s “Batman & Robin” and after Michael Keaton played the Dark Knight in 1989’s “Batman” and 1992’s “Batman Returns.”

27 days ago

Robert Pattinson jokes about ageing as Batman amid sequel delay

Robert Pattinson has expressed his reluctance to portray an older version of Batman as the long-awaited sequel faces further delays. The actor, who starred in Matt Reeves’ 2022 blockbuster “The Batman”, recently discussed the sequel’s status while speaking with his “Mickey 17” co-star Naomi Ackie for Hero magazine, according to The Hollywood Reporter. When asked if he would be reprising his role soon, Pattinson joked, “I bloody hope so. I started as young Batman, and I’ll be an old Batman by the time the sequel comes out.” The Twilight star, now 38, added, “I’m old—but healthier. I think I’ve actually reversed my biological age a little.” DC Studios faces uncertainty with Batman franchise, Penguin series The sequel has been in development for some time, with production set to begin in late 2025. After multiple delays, it is now scheduled for release in October 2027. While it is not part of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s restructured DC Universe, Gunn explained that the postponement was due to Reeves refining the script. “Matt is dedicated to making the best film possible, and no one can predict how long writing will take,” Gunn stated on Threads last December. He added that once the script is finalised, major films require about two years for pre-production, filming, and post-production. Despite disappointing some fans, Gunn defended the delay, saying, “A five-year gap or more is quite common for sequels.” Following its 2022 release, “The Batman” was both a critical and commercial success, grossing over $772 million worldwide.

1 month ago

DC Studios faces uncertainty with Batman franchise, Penguin series

DC Studios is grappling with uncertainty over its Batman-related projects, as the future of “The Batman” sequel and “The Penguin” TV series remains unclear. Despite previous speculation, DC Studios co-head James Gunn firmly ruled out the possibility of Robert Pattinson’s Batman joining the DC Universe (DCU), according to The Hollywood Reporter. During a press event, Gunn responded to rumours about Pattinson's role in “The Brave and the Bold” by clarifying there had been no serious discussions about sharing the actor between projects. Gunn’s comments followed an interview with “The Batman” director Matt Reeves at January's Golden Globes, where he hinted at uncertainty over Pattinson’s involvement in the broader DCU. The Batman (2022), which grossed an impressive $722 million, introduced Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne, but a sequel has faced multiple delays. Although “The Batman” Part II is slated for release in autumn 2027, it will be over five years since the original film's debut. According to DC Studios co-chief Peter Safran, Reeves has yet to submit a complete script, though what has been shared so far is "incredibly encouraging." Will Smith wins $1.7m copyright lawsuit over Gemini Man The sequel and the spin-off series “The Penguin”, starring Colin Farrell, exist in a separate universe from the DCU. Safran said that while work continues on “The Brave and the Bold”, which focuses on Batman and his son, Damian Wayne, the involvement of director Andy Muschietti is no longer clear. Gunn has taken a more hands-on approach with the project, working closely with an unnamed writer on the script. As for “The Penguin”, the series' second season is far from certain. Safran acknowledged that several factors are in play, notably Colin Farrell’s availability and the significant makeup involved in the role, which has made the series’ future unclear. With so many moving parts, the direction of DC Studios’ Batman-related projects remains in limbo, leaving fans uncertain about what the future holds for their favourite caped crusader.

2 months ago