Chris O’Donnell and Alicia Silverstone talk about the chaos and hatred surrounding BATMAN AND ROBIN

Almost three decades have passed since then Joel Schumacher’S Batman and Robin hit theaters, but the conversation about the infamous 1997 superhero film has never stopped.

The film, protagonist George Clooney, Chris O’DonnellAND Alicia Silverstonebecame one of the most talked about comic book movies of all time because of how bad it was.

Now, O’Donnell and Silverstone are opening up about what it was really like making the film and how the backlash affected everyone involved.

Released five years later Tim BurtonIt’s dark and moody The Return of Batman, Batman and Robin it swung hard in the opposite direction.

Schumacher turned to bright colors, exaggerated, vibrant sets, and silly toy-friendly designs, turning Gotham into something closer to a neon playground than a crime-ridden city.

Although it earned a decent haul at the box office, the film quickly became a punchline among fans and critics, with many calling it one of the weakest superhero films ever made.

In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Alicia Silverstone reflected on how surreal the experience was.

“I remember a lot of things didn’t make sense. We were in a department store and there were so many extras and so many things to do. [George] he really was like a big brother in those circumstances.

“He stood up for me and was reasonable when things weren’t. And putting the suit on took so much time and energy. And once you put it on, you couldn’t go to the bathroom for years.”

Silverstone laughed as he remembered how uncomfortable Batgirl’s famous costume was.

“These costumes weren’t easy. You had to put talcum powder all over your body to put them on. The whole thing was a big production.

“I remember we finally got things set up and we were there on top of this platform in the warehouse, and I turned to Chris and George and said, ‘What do we do?’ And they say, “Don’t worry, you’ll figure it out.” I thought, ‘What do you mean?'”

“And then I hear from a big megaphone: ‘Throw that thing!’ and I said, “Chris, throw what at what?” He says, ‘Don’t worry, you’re thinking about it too much.'”

“It’s like, ‘What do you mean? We don’t even know what we’re throwing!’ because they added everything later.

Even before the backlash, it appears that production was already chaotic. But things got even more difficult once the film hit theaters:

Chris O’Donnell, who played Robin, said the fan reaction was brutal.

“All of a sudden, you were starting to get the feedback and realizing that things were going sideways. There was so much hate towards the movie when it came out.

“It was like, ‘Oh my God.’ And you want to do your job and promote the film. I remember at some point [director] Joel Schumacher just raised the flag.

“He says, ‘I’m out. I can’t do this anymore.’ He was heartbroken and a little disappointed about it.”

It was difficult for O’Donnell to see Schumacher, who had poured his creative energy into the film, take the criticism so personally. However, look back on the experience with perspective.

“It was hard for all of us to swallow. But we were lucky to be in the movie and it was fun to be a part of. It is what it is. Some work and some don’t.”

Time has a funny way of changing the way people see things. While Batman and Robin was once mocked endlessly, has since found something of a cult following.

Silverstone shared that the film has become a favorite among his LGBTQ+ friends, embracing its larger-than-life eccentricity.

“A lot of my gay friends have said it’s their favorite movie. It’s very camp.”

And despite the film’s difficult legacy, O’Donnell still has some fond memories of his time as the Boy Wonder.

“Even now, I still have the Batmobile toys from when I was a kid.”

When Batman and Robin closed its theatrical run with $238 million worldwide, the franchise remained silent until Christopher Nolan resurrected him with Batman begins in 2005.

While Schumacher’s version will always be remembered for its ice puns and flashy costumes, it’s also a fascinating chapter in the evolution of Batman on screen as a wild and colorful time capsule that somehow has fans talking nearly 30 years later.

Love it or hate it, Batman and Robin will forever have its place in Gotham history.