By Kayla DeKraker
It’s been three decades since BATMAN FOREVER released, and star Chris O’Donnell took some time to reflect on the milestone on Instagram.
“Cannot believe it’s been 30 years since premiere of BATMAN FOREVER, wow, time flies,” he wrote alongside a a photo of the cast, including Val Kilmer, Nicole Kidman, Joel Schumacher and Jim Carey, at the 1995 premiere of the film.
People in the comment section celebrated the anniversary and shared their sadness over the passing of two of the stars. “RIP Val Kilmer and Joel Schumacher,” one fan said. Another person added, “BATMAN FOREVER is my fav. Rip Val Kilmer and Joel Schumacher.”
Kilmer, who played Batman in the film, died in April 2025 due to complications with pneumonia at the age of 65. The actor had ongoing health challenges throughout the years.
Schumacher died in June of 2020 at the age of 80 after a long battle with cancer.
After playing Robin in BATMAN FOREVER, O’Donnell went on to play the role again in the 1997 BATMAN & ROBIN. Kilmer did not return as Batman though, and instead, George Clooney played the Caped Crusader.
Since the film, O’Donnell has gotten married, had five children and continued to act. He starred in NCIS: LOS ANGELES, but for him, family was always his priority.
Related: NCIS: LA Star Chris O’Donnell Wants to Honor Callen’s Pursuit of Truth
“I knew when I was working, there was different paths you could take. And I knew that I could continue to date and never get married, and enjoy Hollywood and all the benefits of it, but that really wasn’t who I was,” he told TLC of choosing family over Hollywood.
He added, “Until you have children, you just have no idea what it means to love someone. I mean you would literally stand in front of a moving train or something [for your kids].”
Movieguide®’s review of BATMAN FOREVER reads, “Lighter and more moral than its predecessor, BATMAN FOREVER, starring Val Kilmer as Batman, explodes with an action-packed attack on a Gotham City bank by Two-Face Harvey Dent (Tommy Lee Jones). In the midst of the attack, Batman meets Dr. Chase Meridian (Nicole Kidman), a psychiatrist who is infatuated with Batman.”
Movieguide® notes, “This film falls short on plot, but delivers on action, brilliant design and a moody central character. It includes bloodless action violence, sexual innuendo and an occult talisman.”
Since his first appearance in 1943, Batman has inspired 13 films as he and his sidekick Robin have become a staple of good fighting evil around the world.
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