The fictional character
Batman, a comic book superhero featured in
DC Comics publications and created by
Bob Kane, has appeared in various films since his inception. The character first starred in two serial films in the 1940s,
Batman and
Batman and Robin. The character also appeared in the 1966 film
Batman, which was a feature film adaptation of the 1960s
Batman TV series starring
Adam West and
Burt Ward, who also starred in the film. Toward the end of the 1980s, the
Warner Bros. studio began producing a series of feature films starring Batman, 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 critics and fans, leading to the cancellation of
Batman Triumphant.