George Clooney recently revealed in an interview how his son, Alexander, responded to watching him star as Batman in the 1997 film Batman & Robin, adding a fresh perspective to the long-standing conversations around George Clooney Batman and Robin. The actor reflected on the movie’s infamous reputation and the unique impact it had within his own family, especially during a discussion about his children’s Halloween costumes.
Clooney’s Son Has Unexpected Reaction to Batman & Robin
Clooney has openly acknowledged that his turn as the DC superhero in Batman & Robin stands out as a misstep in his accomplished career, even famously remarking,
“I think we might have killed the franchise,”
—George Clooney, Actor. Despite the film’s status as a widely criticized entry in the Batman franchise, its audience seems to extend across generations, as revealed in the actor’s recent conversation with W Magazine.
During this interview, Clooney described Halloween as a notable annual event for the family, with Alexander deciding to dress up as Batman—even before he had seen his father in the role.
“Halloween’s a big holiday. My son went as Batman. He hadn’t seen Batman yet,”
—George Clooney, Actor. Clooney recounted playfully telling his son,
“’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,”
—George Clooney, Actor.
After some convincing, Clooney decided to show Alexander Batman & Robin for the first time a couple of weeks prior to the interview. The actor shared that while adults may not appreciate the film, it struck a chord with younger viewers:
“A couple of weeks ago, I finally showed it to him. It wasn’t great for grown-ups, but it’s great for 8-year-olds, so he loved it.”
—George Clooney, Actor. Alexander’s twin, Ella, opted for a different costume, reflecting her individual taste for Halloween.
“My daughter, meanwhile, went as a witch. She doesn’t like all the princess stuff. She likes to be the evil witch,”
—George Clooney, Actor.
Clooney Maintains Humor About His Infamous Batman Role
Over the years, Clooney has not shied away from making light of his performance in Batman & Robin. He previously referred to the film as “a waste of money” during a discussion with The New York Times, and has continued to joke about the experience in various interviews. On The Graham Norton Show, he stated,
“I always apologize for Batman & Robin.”
—George Clooney, Actor.
Current Projects and Recognition
While Batman & Robin still follows him in public commentary, Clooney’s career remains robust. He stars in Noah Baumbach’s latest film, Jay Kelly, which pairs him with Adam Sandler and has garnered praise from critics, particularly for their performances. The movie also features Laura Dern, Billy Crudup, and Riley Keough, among others, marking another high-profile project for the seasoned actor.
Although Batman & Robin is remembered differently by critics, Clooney’s story about his son’s enjoyment of the film suggests that every project can find its audience, no matter its place in cinematic history. As he continues to take on new roles, Clooney appears comfortable reflecting on all chapters of his career, both celebrated and critiqued, while sharing these moments with his family.