Remembering The Late Val Kilmer For "Batman Forever": Perhaps One Of The Best Portrayals Of The Dark Knight

Another nostalgia gone too soon? It was already bad enough that Barbie Xu died of pneumonia at age 48. Val Kilmer died of pneumonia at age 65. The guy's old enough to be my parent -- which may give me reason to give him deeper respect. Batman Forever was part of my childhood. The sequel Batman and Robin was a surefire stinker that presented one-dimensional, almost Pure Evil villains. 

I was disappointed to think about Val not returning for Batman and Robin. But maybe, it was for the best he didn't. Why? That movie STANK beyond STANK. I could understand if I wrote a bad fan fic since I'M NO PROFESSIONAL WRITER. Come on, you've already noticed my writing style is rather casual. However, anybody can cringe when a team of professionals is screwing up bad.

A 2020 interview with the actor, gave meaning to why he never reprised the role:

In a new profile on Val Kilmer from The New York Times, the actor addresses his departure from the role of Batman. After only starring in Batman Forever, the story has been he had a scheduling conflict with his next film, The Saint. While Kilmer says that is indeed true, it also didn’t help that he had come to a realization about the role.

Kilmer reflected on a moment on the set when he kept the suit on – something he apparently hated – because he heard billionaire investor Warren Buffet was going to drop by with his family. What the actor quickly realized was that everyone was far more interested in the gadgets and the Batmobile then speaking with him. It was in this moment he realized anyone can wear the cowl. “That’s why it’s so easy to have five or six Batmans,” he told the Times. “It’s not about Batman. There is no Batman.”

This made me think it might be the most noble decision ever. Sure, I wanted Val to also star as the titular hero in the stinking sequel. However, the stinking sequel was such a mess that he's better off NOT IN IT. 

RIP Val, thanks for the memories!