Inside the Guide: The Script of Batman Returns

Given how well Batman did in 1989, Warner Bros. wanted to capitalize on the movie’s success by pushing for a quick sequel. Batman Returns premiered in June 1992, pairing Tim Burton and Michael Keaton for their third collaboration.

In what was a more complex plot than the previous film, Bruce Wayne (Keaton) opposes Gotham City business mogul Max Shreck (Christopher Walken) on his plan to build a new power plant. Penguin (Danny DeVito) emerges from below the streets of Gotham and blackmails Shreck into helping him reenter society.

Selina Kyle (Michelle Pfeiffer) starts the movie as Shreck’s secretary, but becomes Catwoman after he pushes her out a window. While planning to take vengeance against her former boss, Selina/Catwoman encounters Bruce/Batman as both of their counterparts and the mutual attraction ignites a passionate love/hate relationship.

Penguin instigates mayhem to prove that Gotham needs him as the new mayor, but his efforts are thwarted by Batman. He then seeks revenge by threatening to kill children, so Batman must stop him, while simultaneously convincing Catwoman not to kill Schreck.

Warner Bros. began developing the sequel soon after Batman was released, hiring Sam Hamm (writer of the ’89 Batman) to write the story. Plotlines from early drafts included Penguin freezing Gotham City, Penguin and Catwoman going after treasure, and Robin’s introduction.

Burton had been reluctant to return for a second movie until he was given more creative control over the sequel. He brought in Daniel Waters (writer of the satirical black comedy Heathers) to write the script. Waters crafted a story of social satire that positioned a business mogul as a legitimate threat among the costumed villains. Catwoman’s arc is also noteworthy since she started as the browbeaten secretary who uses her situation to become a powerful figure. The Penguin running for mayor subplot was a nod to a storyline from the ’60s TV show.

The script needed some finetuning, so Wesley Strick was hired for an uncredited rewrite to further develop Penguin’s larger plan. He expanded on the Moses parallel having Penguin decide to kill the firstborn sons of Gotham in retaliation for his parent’s abandoning him and the larger rejection he faced by the city.

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