The Batman films of the 1980s and 1990s introduced a whole generation to a swathe of classic DC characters; unfortunately, others were completely squandered. Warner Bros.’ initial four Batman movies introduced several memorable portrayals, like Michael Keaton’s brooding Batman and Jack Nicholson’s devilish Joker. However, they also squandered numerous opportunities with fascinating characters. Whether sidelined, underwritten, or mishandled, these characters represent what could have been.
The 1980s and 90s Batman movies began with Tim Burton’s gothic, noir take in 1989, before the more horror-inspired Batman Returns. Joel Schumacher was hired to direct the third entry, Batman Forever, dropping the overt horror tones for gothic until Batman & Robin, which killed the franchise until Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins. The films were defined by their visual flair and larger-than-life characters. Yet, the limitations of the time – ranging from studio interference to overstuffed scripts – meant many characters didn’t get their due.
10 Billy Dee Williams’ Harvey Dent
Batman (1989)
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Billy Dee Williams’ Harvey Dent debuted in Tim Burton’s Batman (1989), bringing a smooth charisma to Gotham’s District Attorney. The casting was exciting, anticipating his transformation into the iconic villain Two-Face and the performance Williams could potentially have. However, the character was relegated to a background role, with no exploration of his duality or descent into villainy. He unfortunately didn’t appear in Batman Returns, so served primarily as a fun Easter egg.
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When Joel Schumacher’s Batman Forever arrived, Tommy Lee Jones took over the role, delivering a divisively more cartoonish take on Two-Face. Audiences were left to imagine what could have been if Williams had stayed in the role, offering a more tragic, layered turn to crime. The decision to sideline Williams remains one of the franchise’s most glaring missed opportunities, and it’s a legacy still lamented today.
9 Pat Hingle’s Commissioner Gordon
Batman (1989), Batman Returns, Batman Forever, & Batman & Robin
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Pat Hingle portrayed Commissioner Gordon throughout the 80s and 90s Batman films, but his role was disappointingly minimal. Unlike his comic book counterpart, who serves as a vital ally to Batman, Hingle’s Gordon was a hapless bystander, often overshadowed by other characters. As subsequent versions of the character (most notably The Dark Knight and Gotham) have made clear, there is a lot more to the character that could have been explored.
Hingle’s Gordon was relegated to dumping essential exposition, often in the opening scenes. He served, albeit effectively, as a narrative device to jump straight into the action – much like his role in the early Batman serials. Batgirl’s arrival in Batman & Robin would have been the perfect place to expand on his story, as canonically, the first Batgirl is Commissioner Gordon’s daughter, Barbara Gordon. This was changed in one of many bad decisions made by Batman & Robin.
8 Drew Barrymore’s Sugar
Batman Forever
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As one half of Two-Face’s entourage in Batman Forever, Drew Barrymore’s Sugar had the potential to shine as a quirky, memorable sidekick. Paired with Debi Mazar’s Spice, Sugar represented Two-Face’s lighter, more glamorous side. However, the character was reduced to little more than eye candy, with no meaningful dialogue or agency. Barrymore, already a rising star at the time, could have brought charm and complexity to Sugar, perhaps exploring her motivations for aligning with Two-Face.
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Was she trapped by circumstance, or did she genuinely revel in the chaos? Instead, the script offered her no depth, and she existed merely to enhance the film’s visual flair. It was such a waste of Barrymore’s talent to have her appear simply as arm candy. Her dynamic with Mazar’s Spice also went underdeveloped, missing a chance to delve into the duality theme central to Two-Face’s character.
7 Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Mr. Freeze
Batman & Robin
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Arnold Schwarzenegger’s casting as Mr. Freeze in Batman & Robin was a bold choice. With his imposing presence and iconic one-liners, he seemed perfect for the role. However, the film’s campy tone turned Freeze into a caricature, drowning out the tragic depth of the character. Victor Fries, as portrayed in the comics and the critically acclaimed animated series, is one of Batman’s most sympathetic foes.
His love for his ailing wife, Nora, drives his descent into villainy, creating a compelling narrative of loss and obsession. While Batman & Robin touched on this backstory, it was overshadowed by groan-worthy ice puns and an over-the-top performance that prioritized comedy over nuance. Schwarzenegger had the gravitas to deliver a truly memorable Freeze, but the script squandered the opportunity, leaving audiences to imagine what a darker, more emotionally driven portrayal might have achieved.
6 Alicia Silverstone’s Batgirl
Batman & Robin
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Alicia Silverstone’s Barbara Wilson, introduced in Batman & Robin, was a far cry from the beloved Batgirl of the comics. The film portrayed her as Alfred’s niece, stripping away her roots as Commissioner Gordon’s daughter and sidelining her potential as a crime-fighting partner for Batman and Robin. Moreover, the movie gave her a smaller role than one might expect. Silverstone’s Barbara could have been a fascinating addition to the Bat-family, exploring her journey from an ordinary young woman to a capable vigilante.
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Instead, her arc was rushed and underdeveloped, with little time spent on her motivations or training. The decision to exclude her ties to Gordon also removed a key emotional layer, diminishing her significance. Those who hoped for a Batgirl who could hold her own alongside the Dark Knight were disappointed, receiving a half-baked character who failed to leave a lasting impression.
5 Elle Macpherson’s Julie Madison
Batman & Robin
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Elle Macpherson’s Julie Madison appeared in Batman & Robin as Bruce Wayne’s love interest, but her role was so minimal that viewers would be forgiven for forgeting her. As a character with deep comic book roots, Julie could have been a compelling figure in Bruce’s life, offering a glimpse into his struggles with balancing his dual identities. In the comics, Julie Madison is a pivotal figure, representing Bruce’s yearning for a normal life.
Batman & Robin, however, reduced her to a forgettable subplot, failing to explore her impact on Bruce’s emotional state or his views on heroism. Macpherson’s performance was serviceable, but the script gave her little to work with, and the character simply disappeared from the story after serving her narrative role. A more developed Julie Madison could have added emotional stakes and highlighted the sacrifices Bruce makes as Batman, but instead, she was another casualty of the film’s overcrowded narrative.
4 John Glover’s Dr. Jason Woodrue
Batman & Robin
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John Glover’s Dr. Jason Woodrue, the mad scientist behind Poison Ivy’s creation in Batman & Robin, was a textbook example of wasted potential. Glover’s over-the-top performance hinted at the character’s sinister brilliance, but his screen time was limited, and his death came far too quickly. Woodrue, known in the comics as the Floronic Man, could have been a fascinating villain in his own right, exploring themes of environmental extremism and scientific hubris.
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Instead, Batman & Robin used him as a plot device to set up Poison Ivy’s origin, sidelining his potential as a recurring antagonist. Glover’s charisma and penchant for theatricality could have made Woodrue a standout character, but the script’s lack of ambition turned him into little more than a footnote in the Batman mythos. While there certainly wasn’t room in the narrative for another villain, Glover’s manic performance was one of the movie’s more enjoyable.
3 William Hootkins’s Lt. Eckhardt
Batman (1989)
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William Hootkins’ Lt. Eckhardt appeared in Tim Burton’s Batman as a corrupt police officer, but his role was largely overshadowed by Jack Nicholson’s Joker. Eckhardt’s crooked dealings and antagonistic relationship with Commissioner Gordon hinted at an intriguing subplot, but it was never fully developed. Eckhardt was based on the classic Batman character Harvey Bullock, who frequently serves as a foil to Commissioner Gordon.
Consequently, Eckhardt could have been a compelling representation of Gotham’s systemic corruption, exploring the city’s decay and the necessity of Batman’s vigilante justice. Hootkins delivered a suitably gruff performance, but his character’s limited screen time and abrupt demise had little impact. Expanding Eckhardt’s role could have added depth to Gotham’s criminal underworld and provided a more grounded foil to Batman’s crusade. Instead, he became another missed opportunity in a film filled with larger-than-life characters.
2 Robert Swenson’s Bane
Batman & Robin
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Robert Swenson’s Bane in Batman & Robin was a far cry from the cunning and formidable villain of the comics. Reduced to a mindless henchman for Poison Ivy, this version of Bane lacked the intelligence and strategic prowess that make him one of Batman’s most dangerous foes. In the comics, Bane is a master tactician and physical powerhouse who famously broke Batman’s back in the Knightfall storyline.
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Batman & Robin, however, reduced him to a monosyllabic brute who grunted about under Ivy’s direction, robbing him of the complexity that makes him such a compelling adversary. Swenson’s imposing physique was perfect for the role, but the character’s mishandling turned him into a forgettable sidekick rather than a true threat to Batman. A faithful adaptation of Bane could have been a game-changer for the franchise, but Batman & Robin squandered the opportunity.
1 Robert Wuhl’s Alexander Knox
Batman (1989)
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Robert Wuhl’s Alexander Knox provided comic relief in Tim Burton’s Batman, but his role as a journalist investigating Gotham’s corruption had the potential for much more. Knox could have been a key ally to Batman, using his investigative skills to uncover crucial information. He largely served as the audience’s conduit, introducing the world of Gotham and Batman.
Knox’s dynamic with Vicki Vale hinted at a deeper narrative, exploring the role of the press in exposing Gotham’s criminal underbelly. However, the character was mostly played for laughs and faded into the background as Batman (1989) progressed. A more significant role for Knox could have added a grounded perspective to the story, highlighting the importance of journalism in holding Gotham’s criminals accountable. Wuhl’s charm and wit made Knox likable, but the character’s limited development feels like a missed opportunity in the Batman movies.
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