Untold Batman Secrets: The Hidden Story Behind Robin Williams' Missed Opportunity as The Riddler

Writer Akiva Goldsman fondly remembered meeting Robin Williams, who was originally cast as The Riddler in Batman Forever. Williams had prior experience in comic book movies, notably starring in a film adaptation of the Popeye comic strip. He was also considered for the role of The Joker in the 1989 Batman movie, ultimately played by Jack Nicholson, and was a potential candidate for the character Mister Mxyzptlk in an early draft of Superman III.

Goldsman, in an interview with The Playlist, shared his experience working with Robin Williams. Directed by Joel Schumacher, he was sent to San Francisco and invited to Williams' home to collaborate on the script's direction for The Riddler. Goldsman described the encounter as beautiful and praised Williams' kindness.

Robin Williams Had Brilliant Ideas For The Riddler

While refraining from delving into the specifics of their time spent together and the concepts they deliberated upon, Akiva Goldsman recounted the remarkable levels of productivity that ensued after engaging in discussions about The Riddler with the incomparable Robin Williams. Goldsman expressed that labeling Williams as a genius would not suffice in capturing the depth of his creativity, likening it to a scenario where Williams "unlocked his mind and allowed the universe to convey its thoughts." As a testament to their bond, Williams even took the initiative to contact Goldsman at his apartment following their meeting, leaving a message that Goldsman's girlfriend at the time played back in a state of awe.

Why Robin Williams Left Batman Forever

Regrettably, despite initially having a good rapport with Goldsman, Robin Williams made the decision to depart from Batman Forever and relinquish the role of The Riddler. Akiva Goldsman attributed this to a clash with director Joel Schumacher, stating that the two had differing perspectives. Goldsman did not delve into the specifics but acknowledged that many later objected to Schumacher's campy portrayal of Batman, despite his belief that it stayed faithful to the essence of the source material, or at least a particular interpretation of it.

Given Williams' work following the release of Batman Forever in 1995, it is conceivable that he might have preferred portraying a darker interpretation of The Riddler than Schumacher had envisioned. Despite being a skilled comedian, Williams had already embarked on more serious roles in feature films. By that time, he had garnered two Oscar nominations for his performances in Dead Poets Society and Good Morning Vietnam. It is likely that Williams was concerned about being typecast as a caricature and felt that playing The Riddler in Schumacher's Batman Forever would be unoriginal.

Williams ultimately won an Oscar in 1997 for his portrayal in Good Will Hunting and went on to depict more complex and villainous characters in his later works. While it is difficult to envision exactly how Williams would have portrayed The Riddler in Batman Forever, his role as the murderer Walter Finch in the 2002 thriller Insomnia comes close. In Insomnia, Finch utilized his understanding of police procedure to manipulate the corrupt detective investigating his crime. Interestingly, Christopher Nolan, the director of Insomnia, later helmed a trilogy of Batman movies, but without Robin Williams as The Riddler.