Val Kilmer’s Batman suit wasn’t just another costume—it was a legend wrapped in rubber. Back in the day, this iconic suit drew its inspiration straight from real-life tactical designs, aiming to give the Caped Crusader a gritty edge. But what worked for Kilmer quickly turned into a disaster when George Clooney stepped into the Bat-boots.
The very design that aimed for realism ended up turning Clooney’s crime-fighting days into one of the biggest caped misadventures. It’s like Batman’s worst enemy was his own gear!
Val Kilmer Set the Standard, but George Clooney Took the Heat for the Bat-Nipples
Val Kilmer’s Batman suit may have set a new standard in Batman Forever, but it was George Clooney who took the heat for its bold design. Kilmer’s suit, famously featuring those controversial Bat-nipples, drew inspiration from Roman armor and anatomical aesthetics—thanks to designer Jose Fernandez’s desire to emphasize the human form. Back in 2022, Fernandez told MEL Magazine:
In the comic books, the characters always looked like they were naked with spray paint on them. It was all about anatomy, and I like to push anatomy.
Schumacher loved the anatomy-focused approach. By the time Batman & Robin hit theaters, that suit became a pop culture punchline. Clooney himself didn’t shy away from poking fun at the suit’s infamous detail. Asked what it would take to wear the cape again, he joked,
I don’t think there’s enough drugs in the world for me to go back there.
Before Schumacher, Tim Burton’s Batman and Batman Returns had brought a darker, edgier take to Gotham, pushing boundaries with their mature tones. Burton’s departure led to Schumacher’s campier vision, complete with a more flamboyant Gotham, but not without controversy. Burton, never one to mince words, took a jab at Warner Bros.’ shift in direction, saying,
I was like, ‘Wait a minute. Okay. Hold on a second here. You complain about me, I’m too weird, I’m too dark, and then you put nipples on the costume? Go f*ck yourself.’ Seriously. So, yeah, I think that’s why I didn’t end up [doing a third film].
Nearly three decades later, George Clooney still can’t escape the legacy of those bat-nipples. His playful quips aside, he’s made it clear that his version of the Dark Knight remains a distant memory, even off-limits for his family movie nights.
George Clooney’s Epic $14 Million Gift to His Closest Friends
George Clooney’s the ultimate friend, too. Back in 2013, the Syriana star did something most of us can only dream of. He handed 14 of his closest friends a cool $1 million each. Clooney straight-up said, “Why wouldn’t you do that, you schmuck?”
These weren’t just any friends; they were his ride-or-die crew, the ones who had his back when he was broke and needed a couch to crash on. Clooney told GQ,
I’ve slept on their couches when I was broke. They loaned me money when I was broke. They helped me when I needed help over the years. And I’ve helped them over the years. We’re all good friends. And I thought, you know, without them I don’t have any of this. And we’re all really close, and I just thought basically if I get hit by a bus, they’re all in the will.
So, in true Clooney style, he rented an old florist van, packed it with cash, and played Santa for his inner circle. Well, that’s George Clooney—making generosity look like just another day at the office.
Batman Forever is available to watch on Max & Apple TV.
