10 Planned Comic Book Movie Sequels (And What Happened)

The Planned Sequel

The Christopher Reeve Superman films can be thanked for making superheroes work on the silver screen, but it was Tim Burton’s edgy Batman films that really showed the artistic potential of the genre. The Gotham look of Burton’s Batmans are still iconic today, and both of the films were critical and box office darlings.

Everything was looking good for the trilogy to be rounded out with a third film that featured Robin Williams as The Riddler - an unusual casting choice, to be sure - while Billy Dee Williams would reprise his role as Harvey Dent to become Two-Face.

There were even rumours that The Scarecrow would be involved, and Michelle Pfeiffer would have returned as Catwoman once again. Plot details were never shared, but considering the ideas were later used in Batman Forever, the story may have had a similar premise.

What Happened?

With hindsight, three villains may have been too many, but there was a mixed reception to Batman Returns' violence, leading to a drop-off in toy sales. Warner Bros. then decided that the franchise needed a lighter tone, and greenlit the disastrous Batman Forever, still featuring The Riddler and Two-Face, but without the edge.

Later, the franchise would be put on ice (Mr. Freeze would be proud) completely after Batman & Robin, which many consider to be one of the worst films ever made, and Tim Burton's dream of a darker Batman with the Scarecrow and Two-Face wouldn't be realised until Chris Nolan stepped in years later with