Batman (1989 film series)

Batman
Cover of the 2005 DVD box set.
Directed by	Tim Burton (1-2) Joel Schumacher(3-4)
Produced by	Jon Peters Peter Guber Denise Di Novi Tim Burton Peter MacGregor-Scott
Screenplay by	Sam Hamm Warren Skaaren Daniel Waters Lee Batchler Janet Scott Batchler Akiva Goldsman
Story by	Sam Hamm Daniel Waters Lee Batchler Janet Scott Batchler Akiva Goldsman
Based on	Batman publications and storylines published by DC Comics
Starring	Jack Nicholson Michael Keaton Kim Basinger Robert Wuhl Pat Hingle Billy Dee Williams Michael Gough Jack Palance Danny DeVito Michelle Pfeiffer Christopher Walken Michael Murphy Val Kilmer Tommy Lee Jones Jim Carrey Nicole Kidman Chris O'Donnell Arnold Schwarzenegger George Clooney Uma Thurman Alicia Silverstone Elle Macpherson
Music by	Danny Elfman (1-2) Elliot Goldenthal (3-4)
Cinematography	Roger Pratt Stefan Czapsky Stephen Goldblatt
Edited by	Ray Lovejoy Chris Lebenzon Dennis Virkler Mark Stevens
Production company	DC Comics Polygram Studio
Distributed by	Warner Bros.
Release date	1989–1997
Running time	499 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$340 million
Box office	$1.252 billion

Batman is a superhero film series featuring the DC Comics character of the same name, who was created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger. It was produced by Warner Bros. from 1989 to 1997, beginning with the 1989 film Batman, directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton. Burton and Keaton returned for the 1992 sequel Batman Returns, and in 1995, Joel Schumacher directed Batman Forever with Val Kilmer as Batman. Schumacher also directed the 1997 sequel Batman & Robin, which starred George Clooney. Batman & Robin was poorly received by both the critics and the fans, leading to the cancellation of the planned sequel Batman Unchained.

Tim Burton took over as director of the first Batman film in 1986. Steve Englehart and Julie Hickson wrote film treatments before Sam Hamm wrote the first screenplay. Numerous A-list actors were considered for the role of Batman before Michael Keaton was cast. Keaton was a controversial choice for the role since, by 1988, he had become typecast as a comedic actor and many observers doubted he could portray a serious role.Jack Nicholson accepted the role of the Joker under strict conditions that dictated a high salary, a portion of the box office profits and his shooting schedule. Nicholson's final salary is reported to be as high as $50 million.Principal photography took place at Pinewood Studios from October 1988 to January 1989. The budget escalated from $30 million to $48 million, while the 1988 Writers Guild of America strike forced Hamm to drop out. Rewrites were performed by Warren Skaaren, Charles McKeown and Jonathan Gems.Batman received generally favourable reviews, broke numerous box office records, and won the Academy Award for Best Art Direction. The film grossed over $400 million, and left a legacy over the modern perception of the superhero film genre.