Val Kilmer’s 65th Birthday Sees Fans Demanding Release of Director’s Cut of ‘Batman Forever’

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As a lifelong cinephile who has witnessed the ebb and flow of Hollywood over the decades, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia upon hearing the news that Val Kilmer celebrated his 65th birthday today. The man has been an integral part of my cinematic journey since I first saw him as Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s “The Doors” back in the late ’80s. His portrayal of Madmartigan in “Willow,” Tom Kazansky in Top Gun, and his recent emotional return to the franchise in “Top Gun: Maverick” are etched indelibly into my memory.

I can’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy for Kilmer, who was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015 and has had to undergo multiple treatments that have left him with damaged vocal cords. The resilience he has shown in the face of such adversity is truly inspiring, and his return to the screen in “Top Gun: Maverick” was a testament to his strength and determination.

And now, fans are clamoring for Warner Bros. Discovery to release Joel Schumacher’s fabled Director’s Cut of “Batman Forever,” which Kilmer starred in three years before his diagnosis. The idea that this mythical cut exists, with around 50 minutes of additional footage that could potentially shed new light on the character of Bruce Wayne, is tantalizing for any Batman fan.

I remember when film critic Roger Ebert called Kilmer the “most unsung leading man of his generation” back in 1992, and I couldn’t agree more. With the possibility of a whole new cut of “Batman Forever” being released, there is a chance for fans to appreciate Kilmer’s talents in a whole new light.

I’ll be the first one to admit that Warner Bros. has had its fair share of missteps over the years, but I sincerely hope they do the right thing and give fans what they have been asking for – a chance to see Kilmer as Batman in all his glory. After all, as the saying goes, “You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.” Let’s hope Warner Bros. doesn’t become the villain in this story and finally releases the Schumacher Cut of “Batman Forever” in 2025, in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the movie.

And as a little joke to lighten things up, I can’t help but wonder what Kilmer would say if he found out that fans were still calling for the release of the Schumacher Cut all these years later. I imagine he might quip, “I told you once, I told you twice, release the bat already!

Today marks the 65th birthday of the beloved actor, and fans are once again urging Warner Bros. Discovery to unveil the long-rumored Director’s Cut of “” directed by Joel Schumacher.

Throughout his impressive and multifaceted acting career, Kilmer has graced the screen in a wide range of roles. He’s been Madmartigan in the magical film “Willow,” Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s “The Doors,” and Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in Top Gun, which he powerfully revisited as an older character for “Top Gun: Maverick” more than 30 years after its initial release. He also played roles in later films like “Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang.

2015 saw the actor being diagnosed with throat cancer, resulting in numerous treatments that unfortunately caused damage to his vocal cords. This ordeal was depicted in the 2021 documentary titled Val, and the health challenges were also reflected in his comeback for Top Gun: Maverick. The actor’s return, among other factors, contributed significantly to the film being the highest-grossing movie of 2022.

Three years prior to my involvement in “Batman Forever,” film critic Roger Ebert had already labeled me as the “most unsung leading man of my generation.” As a devoted fan of your Bruce Wayne, I can vouch for this sentiment. With whispers of a possible re-edited version of the movie on the horizon, should WBD manage to bring it to fruition, I believe many more will discover and admire my portrayal in an entirely new way.

Will the Schumacher Cut of ‘Batman Forever’ Be Released?

In August, it was confirmed by screenwriter Akiva Goldsman that an alternate version of the film indeed exists and was almost ready for release with minor adjustments, without needing the costly and extensive reshoots that were necessary to transform Zack Snyder’s Justice League into what we saw in 2016 after Joss Whedon’s original release. Goldsman stated back then:

As a passionate cinephile, I find myself in a unique position to share some exciting behind-the-scenes insights. In this film project I’m following, there are still some visual effects (VFX) that need a final touch and the music score needs a rework. The total cost for completing everything from A to Z is approximately $1 million. They were on the brink of starting this process, but just when things were about to roll, Warner Bros got sold again.

Discussions about unveiling the Schumacher Cut have been persistent for quite some time now. The chatter about this new version began after the passing of Schumacher in 2020, with speculations that it contains roughly 50 extra minutes of different or supplementary footage. This alleged cut is said to shift the focus of the movie from the theatrical version’s campy tone towards a more serious exploration delving into the psychological aspects of Bruce Wayne’s journey.

As a longtime fan of Batman and the iconic 1995 film “Batman Forever,” I wholeheartedly support the ongoing campaign for Warner Bros. to release the original, uncut version of the movie in honor of its 30th anniversary next year. Growing up, this film was a significant part of my childhood, and the idea that we might finally get to see the full vision of director Joel Schumacher has me excited beyond words. I remember attending countless screenings as a kid and eagerly anticipating each new Batman adventure. It’s been years since the original cut of “Batman Forever” was shown, and fans have been patiently waiting for this moment. Now, with the 30th anniversary on the horizon, it feels like the perfect time to give us what we’ve been asking for. I truly hope that Warner Bros. listens to the voices of fans around the world and releases this special edition of “Batman Forever” in 2025. Let the bat fly as intended!

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2024-12-31 23:32