The anticipated Schumacher cut screening of Batman Forever finally happened on July 1, organized by Kevin Smith. The Jay and Silent Bob filmmaker showcased the workprint cut at Smodcastle cinemas & a few attendees are already sharing their analysis of the feature – calling it a “deeper, psychologically-complex character arc” for Val Kilmer‘s portrayal of Bruce Wayne.
A lucky horde of Pop Culture fans in New Jersey was able to watch Batman Forever Schumacher Cut earlier in the weekend, July 1. The event was not specifically organized for the DC Film instead it was a screening for the Clerks cartoon marathon. Audiences were shown the director’s cut at midnight and the verdict appears to be positive, catapulting more support for the #ReleasetheSchumacherCut.
According to Epic Film Guys, the original cut has a runtime of 2 hours 15 minutes and 38 seconds so it dismisses earlier rumors of a 3-hour Schumacher cut. The assembly-Esque cut uses temp score by using Danny Elfman’s Batman 1989 & Batman Returns score as one critic who attended the screening said, “a piece of Pee-wee’s Big Adventure score” is used for Edward Nygma’s intro.
Kevin had also indicated Two-Face’s portrayal was different, unlike the “fun” version in the theater cut. In addition, campy dialogues like the infamous “Oh no! It’s boiling acid!” were not found in the Schumacher cut.
The Schumacher Cut of Batman Forever presents a deeper, psychologically-complex character arc for Kilmer’s Bruce Wayne that is sorely missing from the OG cut. It’s a darker, more Batman centered film. #ReleaseTheSchumacherCut pic.twitter.com/9lpFkaSdIF
— Epic Film Guys ® (@EpicFilmGuys) July 2, 2023
The Evening Began @ 7:00 PM & it's nearly 6:00 AM & #TheSchumacherCut DOES exist and it's impossible not to leave the screening longing for a touched up physical release with a proper edit and score! ALL the fans deserve to see this #ReleaseTheSchumacherCut https://t.co/8dxCFw8oWs
— David Gonzalez (@CinematicReel) July 2, 2023
I enjoyed it. I really felt the deeper dive into the duality of Bruce/Batman worked. I totally get why the studio wanted a much lighter tone and while it still remains, the movie leans more Burton Batman than B&R per say. I overall enjoyed it
— David Gonzalez (@CinematicReel) July 2, 2023
Last night, I had the incredible opportunity to watch the Schumacher Cut of Batman Forever at Smodcastle Cinemas. I think it is one of the best Batman movies. I will record an in-depth analysis of it for my Pop Culture Perspectives With Paxton podcast. #ReleaseTheSchumacherCut pic.twitter.com/hQP7nGMT4L
— Politics With Paxton (@PoliticsWPaxton) July 3, 2023
The score needs to be added as well. Most of the score in the cut is filler of old Elfman 89/Returns and a piece of the PEE-WEES BIG ADVENTURE score that's used for the intro to Edward , so it's more that needs work for a proper release
— David Gonzalez (@CinematicReel) July 2, 2023
It’s real. And it’s beautiful #BatmanForever #SchumacherCut pic.twitter.com/Ziq3wHoGaX
— Block A 🎃 (@VillainousComix) July 2, 2023
It’s not like ZSJL but it cuts a couple scenes I hated in the theatrical and added a lot more to the opening and fleshed out Bruce which was already one of the movie’s strong suits. It’s the superior cut for sure
— Block A 🎃 (@VillainousComix) July 2, 2023
I was there! It’s funny what a few changes can make to a film, this version was way superior despite not being drastically different.
— Michael McBride #ReleaseTheAyerCut (@Michael27297196) July 2, 2023
Kinda the same. The main improvements in the film come from Bruce’s arc and the slower pacing in the first act with the reorganized scenes.
— Michael McBride #ReleaseTheAyerCut (@Michael27297196) July 2, 2023
Another user Michael McBride stated on Twitter added, “The main improvements in the film comes from Bruce’s arc” and compared to the theatrical cut, there is a slower pacing in the first act. So all in all, the crucial changes come from the improved narrative structure of Bruce Wayne.
Kevin Smith is expected to host another screening of Batman Forever Schumacher Cut
While #ReleasethSchumacherCut is a small fan movement unlike the Snydeverse or Ayer cut – the reactions to the 1995’s Batman director’s cut screening clearly show there is interest to see it restored and released in a physical medium or stream it on HBO Max. In fact, With the ongoing Writers’ strike halting progress on several of Warner Bros. Pictures’ projects – fans are requesting the studio to spend the extra buck to release the cut.
Unfortunately, at a time when studios are taking tax write-offs and especially WB which has reportedly lost $200 million from The Flash‘s box office failure, it is unlikely the studio would consider additional expenses. But on the bright side, Smith will host another screening of Schumacher Cut on August 25th at Smodcastle cinema.
The theatrical version of Batman Forever is available to stream on Max in the US.
All of these studio owned streaming platforms are dying for new content – yet they have access to hundreds if not thousands of test screening film cuts just sitting in storage.#ReleaseTheSchumacherCut https://t.co/YGx1aLVtPi
— Slayer Santiago (@SlayerSantiago) July 2, 2023
And that polishing + fine-tuning needs to be done! #ReleaseTheSchumacherCut https://t.co/4ixXSc9Cio
— DCU Movie Page #RestoreTheSnyderverse (@dcumoviepage) July 2, 2023
Awesome! Hope you are reading this @wbd! Please #ReleaseTheSchumacherCut of Batman Forever and let @AkivaGoldsman supervise it. https://t.co/i5u5Fq5Q0Q
— Matthew Ballard (@moviemattb) July 2, 2023
Imagine seeing this day after years of #ReleaseTheSchumacherCut movement. Seeing its proof and out to be in open soon. https://t.co/3JRlVpzjTj
— Robinson Crusoe (@Robinootsutsuki) July 3, 2023
If people are actually getting to see it, then #ReleaseTheSchumacherCut https://t.co/wykdRE1rjw
— Daner Bobaner (@lord_bottomless) July 2, 2023
Obviously the biggest hurdle to @wbpictures releasing the #SchumacherCut is the cost of restoring and assembling the film.
How much do we reckon that might be? #releasetheschumachercut #batmanforever
— Batman Online (@batmanonlinecom) July 2, 2023
Sounds like it’s a rough cut of Schumacher’s intended version (hope it’s not just the Red Book cut). #ReleasetheSchumacherCut https://t.co/z7mo3uKR3f
— Baramos (@BaramosGonus) July 2, 2023
@warnerbros if you're reading this, please release it on @StreamOnMax #ReleaseTheSchumacherCut https://t.co/MqgkKjt5zT
— Noah Najjar (@NoahN2020) July 3, 2023
Should WB release the Schumacher Cut? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for updates on DC Film and other updates from Hollywood.
