Unrealized projects

This page covers the canceled, converted, delayed, and projects within the Burtonverse

## Batman: Unchained (1999)

During the filming of Batman & Robin, Warner Bros. was impressed with Joel Schumacher and asked him to return for a fifth movie. Akiva Goldsman was also asked to return to write the script for a fifth film but turned down the offer. Mark Protosevich was offered to write the screenplay for the film which would be known as ***Batman: Unchained***.

Protosevich's script had the Scarecrow as the main villain. Through the use of his fear toxin, he resurrects the Joker as a hallucination in Batman's mind. Harley Quinn appeared as a supporting character, written as the Joker's daughter.

George Clooney, Chris O'Donnell, Alicia Silverstone were set to reprise there roles respectfully.

Joel Schumacher cited that he wished to make the fifth film darker then its predecessor Batman & Robin. Ultimately, Batman: Unchained was cancelled due to poor reception and poor box office of *Batman & Robin* and in 2005, a reboot to Batman titled "*Batman Begins*" was produced by Christopher Nolan.

## Robin (Spin-off)

Chris O'Donnell revealed in a 2012 interview with *Access Hollywood* that a Robin spin-off had been considered. The project was cancelled after *Batman & Robin*.

## Catwoman (Spin-off)

Following the release of Batman Returns. Michelle Pfeiffer was announced to reprise her role as Catwoman for a solo film. Tim Burton and Denise Di Novi was confirmed to produce the spin-off. Daniel Waters was confirmed to write the screenplay for the film. Waters turned in his script on the release day of Batman Forever, Waters described the script he wrote as **"not a fun-for-the-whole-family script"**, Ultimately following this, the project went into development hell, Pfeiffer was pregnant at the time of development of the film and was unsure to return due to the challenges as an "actress and a mother"

Ultimately the film was turned into the critically panned Catwoman (2004) starring Halle Berry, however the film referenced Pfeiffer's Catwoman in a photo.

## Superman Lives (1998)

***Superman Lives*** (previously titled ***Superman Reborn***) was another DC superhero film that was to be directed by Tim Burton. Michael Keaton was seemingly in talks to cameo as Batman, giving a eulogy at Superman's funeral at one point.

Warner Bros. and Jon Peters aimed to repeat the amount of success they achieved with the original *Batman*. After Kevin Smith had been hired to write the film, he suggested Burton to direct. Burton was convinced to join the project, but again faced creative difference with Peters. Burton chose the script doctor of *Batman Returns*, Wesley Strick, to rewrite Smith's script when he was involved. Strick himself was later replaced by Dan Gilroy.

The film's production later became the subject of the feature length documentary, *The Death of "Superman Lives": What Happened?*

## Related films

### Batgirl (2022)

In May, 2016. Joss Whedon was announced to write and direct an upcoming superhero film based on Batgirl. After shift changes in production, Whedon eventually quit the project after no developments were made. DC Films president Walter Hamada hired Christina Hodson to write a screenplay. In April 2021, Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah were announced as directors of the film with Kristin Burr producing. Singer and actress, Lesile Grace was casted as Batgirl and Michael Keaton returning to reprise his role as Batman in the film.

On August 2, 2022, Warner Bros. announced they have pulled Batgirl from ever releasing. Warner Bros released a statement saying the film did not meet expectations and was received poorly at test screenings. The decision received major backlash on social media.

### *Batman Beyond*

As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, writer Christina Hodson had already started writing a Batman Beyond film. Her pitch, which had reportedly excited executives at Warner Brothers, was reported to involve Michael Keaton's Batman and Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman in a story which would see their romance continuing. Hodson was still reportedly writing for the film until two weeks after the appointment of James Gunn and Peter Safran as co-heads of DC Studios, at which point she was told to halt all writing for the project. On an episode of Fat Man Beyond discussing The Flash, Kevin Smith brung up that a Batman Beyond movie was still a possibility if The Flash was to do well at the box office.

## References

1. ↑ Robin spin-off
2. ↑ Catwoman (film)
3. ↑ Batman Beyond