When it comes toBatmansequels, one of the most overlooked films is 1995’sBatman Forever. After the lukewarm response toBatman Returns, Warner Brothers went in a much campier direction,replacingMichael Keaton’s Dark Knight withVal Kilmerwhile turning Gotham City into a neon playground. Now just ahead of the film’s 30th anniversary next year, McFarlane Toys has teased their upcoming DC Multiverse wave ofForeveraction figures.
Although the full reveal of the line is coming on Friday, June 7 as a part of an IGN Live event, McFarlane Toys released the teaser image for the new Bulid-A-Figure line. The image should be familiar for fans ofForeveras it recreates its poster.The four main figures includeKalmer’s Batmanin his final Sonar suit, Chris O’Donnell’s Robin,Jim Carrey’s Riddler, and Tommy Lee Jones’ Two-Face. While it’s hard to tell from just the promotional shot, it does appear that both Batman and Robin will come with cloth capes. The Riddler will also feature his signature question mark cane. Finally,the build-a-figure looks to be the giant bat from Bruce Wayne’s dreams from the film. This was something we only got a glimpse of in the theatrical cut, but recently unearthed deleted scenes revealed that this bat had a much more thematic role to play inearlier versions ofForever.
The Duality of ’Batman Forever’
The road to howBatman Foreverwas made has been quite publicized over the last three decades. AfterBatman Returnsdid less than expected at the box office and was a lot darker than most family-centric moviegoers were expecting, WB stepped in to change the sequel’s direction.This meant brightening up the color palette, heightening the villains' personalities, and cranking up the one-liners. This also meant thatTim Burtonwouldn’t return as director, staying on as a producer, withJoel Schumacherfilling his Bat-boots. When it was released in the mid 90s, it was critically panned for being too goofy and nothing like the gothic tales found in the previous two films.
Foreveris a case of style over substance, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Nowadays, the film isslowly gaining a cult followingdue to it feeling like abig screen version of the classicAdam WestBatmanseries. The perfect level of camp with some remnants of Burton’s moodier style and Kilmer is one of the more under-appreciated Dark Knights. Schumacher’s version of Batman gets hated because of this film sequel,Batman and Robin, yet unlike that film,Forevernever falls too far into the world of unbelievable comic book hijinx.
Batman Foreveris currently streaming on Max with most of the DC Universe. you may watch its trailer and preview McFarlane’s new figures below. They go up for pre-order on theirwebsite, alongside other retailers, June 7.
Batman Forever
Watch on Max
