With Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton both scheduled to reprise their Batman roles for the upcoming ‘Flash’ film from DC Films, people might expect to see other Batmen from various films and TV projects show up. Well, don’t expect a surprise appearance from George Clooney, who is well aware that he ruined his chances at continuing the Batman legacy thanks to the horrible “Batman and Robin.”
Speaking to Variety, Clooney explained why he won’t be showing up in “The Flash.” Basically, he didn’t get the call and didn’t expect the call after what he did to the ‘Batman’ film franchise after his 1997 travesty, “Batman and Robin.”
“They didn’t ask me,” Clooney said. “When you destroy a franchise the way I did, usually they look the other way when ‘The Flash’ comes by.”
For those unaware, the ‘Batman’ film franchise launched in 1989 with Tim Burton’s “Batman,” followed a few years later with the popular “Batman Returns.” Then in 1995, Joel Schumacher released “Batman Forever,” with Val Kilmer in the role, taking the franchise in a bright, neon direction. Then with Schumacher’s “Batman & Robin” taking the franchise completely into the world of camp, Clooney’s reign as the Caped Crusader was short-lived.
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And apparently, he’s so embarrassed by “Batman and Robin” that Clooney won’t even let his wife and kids watch the film.
“There are certain films I just go, ‘I want my wife to have some respect for me,’” said Clooney.
And when asked if he’ll end up letting his young children watch his ‘Batman’ film, the actor joked, “It’s bad when your four-year-old kid goes, ‘This sucks.’ That could be painful.”
Perhaps, one day Clooney will get the chance to redeem his Batman role, but it doesn’t appear that it’s going to happen in “The Flash.” And for now, at least, Clooney is okay with that.