Released in 1997, Batman & Robin marked a dramatic shift in tone from its predecessors, arriving five years after Tim Burton’s acclaimed Batman Returns. George Clooney starred as Batman in a film that took a much campier and toy-oriented approach, directed by Joel Schumacher. Despite its commercial success, the movie received significant criticism and is regarded as one of the weakest comic book adaptations to date. Alicia Silverstone, who played Batgirl, has recently opened up about the overwhelming experience she endured while working on the film.
Silverstone described the set as chaotic and confusing, recalling,
“I remember a lot of things not making sense.”
She detailed being surrounded by numerous extras in a large warehouse environment, where production was hectic. She praised George Clooney for acting as a protective figure, saying,
“[George] really was like a big brother in those circumstances. He stood up for me and was reasonable when things were not.”
The Batgirl costume posed a major challenge, requiring extensive effort to put on, with limited mobility once dressed and no quick way to use the bathroom.
She further explained the difficulties with the costumes, stating,
“These were not easy costumes. You had to put baby powder all over your body to get it on. The whole thing was a big production.”
Silverstone recounted a moment when, after finally suiting up, she felt unsure of what to do next on set. She said,
“I turned to Chris and George and I said, ‘What do we do?’ And they’re like, ‘Don’t worry, you’ll figure it out.’ I was like, ‘What do you mean?’”
The confusion extended into filming, as Silverstone recalled how directions were sometimes unclear. She recalled hearing over a loudspeaker,
“’Throw the thing!’ and I said, ‘Chris, throw what at what?’ He’s like, ‘Don’t worry about it, you’re overthinking it,’ It’s like, ‘What do you mean? We don’t even know what we’re throwing!’ because they added it all later.”
Backlash and Emotional Toll After Release
Beyond the production chaos, the film’s reception proved emotionally challenging for the cast. Chris O’Donnell, who portrayed Robin, reflected on the harsh feedback they received upon the movie’s release. He said,
“All of a sudden, you were starting to get the feedback, and you realize it was just going sideways.”
O’Donnell described the level of dislike toward the movie, recalling,
“There was so much hatred of the film when it came out. It was like, ‘Oh my God.’”
He also mentioned the director’s reaction, sharing,
“I remember at one point [director] Joel Schumacher just threw up the flag. He’s like, ‘I’m out. I can’t do it anymore.’ He was so heartbroken and kind of bummed out about it.”
O’Donnell emphasized how difficult it was for everyone involved to process the criticism, calling it
“a tough one for us to all do digest.”
Despite this, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity, stating,
“we were lucky to be in the movie, and it was fun to be a part of it. It is what it is. Some work out and some don’t.”
Reflections on the Film’s Legacy and Impact
Although Batman & Robin faced intense backlash, both Silverstone and O’Donnell maintain appreciation for their participation in the project. Silverstone acknowledged the film’s camp style, noting that many of her gay friends have expressed it as their favorite movie because of its distinctive tone. O’Donnell expressed personal nostalgia, mentioning he still owns the Batmobile toys he played with as a child, highlighting his connection to the character of Robin.
Financially, Batman & Robin earned $238 million worldwide, which was lower than previous installments. The movie’s underwhelming performance led to the Batman franchise being put on hold until Christopher Nolan revived the series with Batman Begins in 2005, marking a significant tonal and creative shift from Schumacher’s installment.
The struggles faced by Silverstone and her colleagues behind the scenes, combined with the film’s reception, showcase the difficult balance between creative vision and audience expectations. While Batman & Robin remains a controversial chapter in Batman’s cinematic history, it continues to evoke mixed feelings from its cast and fans alike.
