When it comes to spinoffs, there is always room for differing opinions on how to bring a character to life. Such was the case with the proposed “Catwoman” spinoff from Tim Burton’s 1992 film, Batman Returns. During a recent screening of the film at the Egyptian Theater in Los Angeles, screenwriter Daniel Waters revealed the clash of creative visions that took place between him and Burton.
While Burton envisioned an intimate drama shot in black and white, paying homage to Jacques Tourneur’s 1942 horror film, Cat People, Waters had a satirical twist in mind. He proposed a scenario where Catwoman moves to Los Angeles and takes on three corrupt superheroes in a Los Angeles version of Gotham City. In his own words, Waters wanted to create a “Batman” movie where the metaphor centered around “Batman.”
The clash between Burton’s vision and Waters’ vision was inevitable. Burton’s desire for an $18 million black and white film clashed with Waters’ satirical take. The intensity of their conflicting ideas proved too much for Burton, who ultimately grew exhausted reading Waters’ script. The script, which Waters described as “The Boys” before “The Boys,” was an innovative approach that couldn’t bridge the creative gap between the two.
Waters initially included multiple digs at the 1989 Burton Batman film in his draft of Batman Returns. However, these jibes were later trimmed at the suggestion of the film’s star, Michael Keaton. Keaton, recognizing the cleverness of the jibes, advised Waters to remove them. This move ultimately created a more cohesive viewing experience for audiences.
One surprising revelation from Waters was that he and Burton did not conduct extensive research into the Batman canon before embarking on Batman Returns. They admitted to not being familiar with the original comic books and having a limited understanding of Batman villains. In fact, Waters confessed that he had just recently discovered that DC Comics stands for Detective Comics. This lack of knowledge fueled the criticism they faced from Batman fans. As Waters humorously noted, they were attacked by fans who questioned their deviation from the established Batman universe, not realizing that today there are countless Batman movies exploring different interpretations.
The clash between creative visions is a common occurrence in the world of filmmaking. Tim Burton and Daniel Waters may have clashed over the “Catwoman” spinoff, but their differing ideas showcased the complexity of bringing a beloved character to life. While their visions may not have aligned, the clash produced a memorable and unique film that continues to intrigue audiences.
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