George Clooney Shares Son’s First Reaction to Batman & Robin

Whether he likes it or not, 1997 super-flop Batman & Robin is part of George Clooney cinematic legacy. Fiercely maligned upon its release and still considered one of the weakest modern superhero movies, director Joel Schumacher’s blockbuster cast Clooney in the Batsuit—complete with those infamous “bat nipples”—against Gotham City villains: Uma Thurman’s Poison Ivy, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Mr. Freeze, and Robert Swenson’s Bane.

Despite the negative reception, the film remains a pop culture touchstone and a point of fascination for fans. Clooney has reflected on the movie with a mix of humor and gratitude, acknowledging its unique place in both his career and the superhero genre.

It was inevitable that Clooney would have to introduce his children to the film. His eight-year-old son Alexander, a big fan of Bruce Wayne, finally got the chance. Speaking to W while promoting his Netflix movie Jay Kelly, Clooney shared his recent home screening experience.

George Clooney Son Delightful Reaction

“Halloween’s a big holiday. My son went as Batman. He hadn’t seen Batman yet. I always say to him, ‘You know I was Batman.’ He’s always like, ‘No.’ I don’t know that he knew how profound it was when he said I wasn’t Batman.”

“A couple of weeks ago, I finally showed it to him. It wasn’t great for grown-ups, but it’s great for eight-year-olds, so he loved it. My daughter, meanwhile, went as a witch. She doesn’t like all the princess stuff. She likes to be the evil witch.”

Clooney added that seeing his children’s reactions reminded him of the enduring charm of superhero stories, no matter how the films are critically received.

Behind the Scenes: Cast Reflections

Clooney’s home screening comes after fellow Batman & Robin actors Chris O’Donnell (Robin) and Alicia Silverstone (Batgirl) shared their thoughts on the infamous project.

“It is what it is,” the former told Entertainment Weekly. “Some work out and some don’t. All of a sudden, you were starting to get the feedback, and you realize it was just going sideways. There was so much hatred of the film when it came out. It was like, ‘Oh my God.’ And you want to do your job and promote the movie… I remember at one point [director] Joel Schumacher just threw up the flag. He’s like, ‘I’m out. I can’t do it anymore.’ He was so heartbroken and kind of bummed out about it.”

Alicia Silverstone Remembers the Costume Chaos

“I remember a lot of things not making sense. We would be in a big warehouse with so many extras and chaos. [George Clooney] really was like a big brother in those circumstances. So cool. He stood up for me and was reasonable when things were not. The outfits took so much time and energy—you couldn’t go to the bathroom for ages. You had to put baby powder all over your body to get it on. The whole thing was a big production.”

How George Clooney Reflects on Batman & Robin and His Career

Interestingly, Batman & Robin also altered Clooney’s professional path for the better. During his AFI Lifetime Achievement Award acceptance, he revealed which film influenced his career the most:

Clooney’s Career Takeaway

“It’s really easy to pick: Batman & Robin. That’s not a joke. Up until that moment, I was an actor only concerned with finding work. After the failure of that film creatively, I understood that I needed to take control of the films I made, not just the role. My next three films were Out of Sight, Three Kings, and O Brother, Where Art Thou?’”

Clooney added that the experience taught him resilience in Hollywood and the importance of trusting his instincts when choosing roles. He also expressed gratitude for the comedic and nostalgic appeal the movie now has for a younger audience, including his own children.

While widely criticized at the time, Batman & Robin has since developed a cult following. Fans often revisit it for its campy humor, extravagant villain performances, and memorable costume designs. Clooney has embraced this legacy, noting that the film represents both a lesson and a milestone in his career.