Alicia Silverstone, known for her role in Batman & Robin, has disclosed that she turned down the opportunity to play Batgirl several times because the original script portrayed the character primarily as a sex object. Despite eventually accepting the role, Silverstone was reluctant at first due to the way the character was written, emphasizing her discomfort with the script’s approach.
Early Hesitation Rooted in Character Portrayal
Silverstone, the first actress to bring Batgirl to the big screen and the second overall after Yvonne Craig’s television portrayal in the 1960s, shared this insight during a career reflection interview with Entertainment Weekly‘s Patrick Gomez. She explained that although the script intrigued her, the depiction of Batgirl felt dehumanizing. This concern caused her to repeatedly decline the part before coming on board.
She recalled,
“They kept asking me to do it, and the script was interesting, but the character just felt like an object, so I kept saying no.”
Negotiating a More Nuanced Role
Silverstone described how she began to express her desire for a more developed and humanized portrayal of Batgirl rather than one focused on physical appeal. Through discussions, she influenced changes that allowed the character to be more substantive and engaging for her performance.
“And then they were like, ‘Well, what is it that you want it to be?’ And so I started talking about how to have her be a human, and more interesting things for me to do so I’m not just a sex object. I don’t know why I knew that, or how I knew that, but that seemed obvious to me at that time.” —Alicia Silverstone
Mixed Reception and Cult Following of Batman & Robin
When Batman & Robin was released, it faced mostly negative reviews, and Silverstone’s Batgirl received backlash. However, over time, the film gained a cult following among fans who appreciated its camp style. Silverstone herself noted the mixed reactions she encountered about the film’s legacy.
“When it came out, I don’t think people liked it very much – but later on, people told me it’s their favorite movie. It’s very camp.” —Alicia Silverstone
Challenges Faced During Filming and Aftermath
Despite the eventual fanbase, Silverstone endured considerable negativity at the time of filming and release. She shared with The Guardian in 2020 that her experience was difficult, especially due to criticism aimed at her appearance and the working environment on set.
“They would make fun of my body when I was younger. It was hurtful but I knew they were wrong. I wasn’t confused. I knew that it was not right to make fun of someone’s body shape, that doesn’t seem like the right thing to be doing to a human.” —Alicia Silverstone
“There were working circumstances that were less than favourable in terms of how things went down. And no, I didn’t say ‘f–k you’ and come out like a warrior but I would just walk away and go, OK I know what that is and I’m done, I’m not going near that again.” —Alicia Silverstone
The Significance of Silverstone’s Stand on the Role
Silverstone’s insistence on a more respectful and multi-dimensional portrayal of Batgirl highlights ongoing issues with how female characters are often treated in superhero films. Her experience underscores the challenges actors can face in advocating for better representation and creative integrity. The legacy of her Batgirl performance, despite initial rejection and criticism, serves as a reminder of the evolving standards audiences and performers expect in character development within major franchises like the DCEU.
