Could Batman: Triumph Have Saved the Original Film Series?
It's a curious notion: what if the Batman film series we know and love had continued in an alternate universe, with Batman: Triumph? Sadly, not even this hypothetical continuation could have salvaged the critically and commercially failed original series. The Batman and Batman Robin series, led by director Joel Schumacher, tanked in both areas, and even Batman Robin star George Clooney admitted it was a failure.
With such subpar performances, including Alicia Silverstone's much-maligned Batgirl, it seems clear that without a complete reboot, the franchise would have been doomed. Thankfully, the Dark Knight trilogy led by Christopher Nolan came along, reviving Batman with a darker, more faithful approach to the character. It's a good thing things turned out differently.
The Original Plans for Batman: Triumph
At one point, the idea for Batman: Triumph was put forth, with plans to feature a battle between Batman and his rogues gallery, including Scarecrow and Harley Quinn. The series aimed to bring back the original actors, such as Bob Kane, Jim Carrey, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, though these plans faced numerous challenges and, in the end, were scrapped due to the commercial failure of the previous series.
Why the Original Plan Wouldn't Have Worked
The proposed storyline for Batman: Triumph called for Scarecrow and Harley Quinn to join forces to bring down the Dark Knight. This plot incorporated the original actors from the previous series, many of whom were not well-received by audiences. Additionally, the casting options, such as Nic Cage for Scarecrow and Courtney Love for Harley, were not a match for the character depth needed to bring these villains to life. The idea of Harley being Joker's daughter instead of his lover would have done little to improve the perceived quality of the series—the same critics who panned the previous film would still have found fault.
From a fan perspective, the proposed storyline and casting choices would have been a disappointment. A fan of the source material would likely have said, "Aw, no way. I wouldn't watch that." Given that even die-hard fans would recoil from such a series, it's safe to conclude that the general public would have stayed away in droves, ensuring the continued failure of the franchise.
What Made Dark Knight a Success?
It's worth noting what made Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy successful, where he managed to inject a fresh perspective into the Batman story. Nolan approached the character with a darker tone, less camp, and better casting choices. The series managed to balance the weight of the characters and the emotional depth, which was lacking in the Schumacher era.
Reimagining Batman Today
It's interesting to ponder the scenario of a complete remake, one that would start with a clean slate. If we were to start by saying Batman and Robin occurred in an alternate universe and then create a complete remake with a new cast, director, writer, and costume designer who wouldn't put nipples on the Batman suit, the result might have been quite different. However, even with a new approach, the original negative perceptions and poor reception of the previous series would have been hard to overcome.
Ultimately, the idea of Batman: Triumph remains a hypothetical that highlights the importance of a complete reboot in reviving a failing franchise. Without a significant change in approach, any attempt to continue the Batman series in its current form would likely have resulted in another commercial and critical flop.