Val Kilmer figure rather than the neurotic recluse of the previous films. In February 1996, Kilmer decided not to return for another Batman feature film, feeling that Batman was being marginalized in favor of the villains. and because of their scheduling problems with "The Saint". George Clooney replaced Kilmer as Batman in 1997's "Batman & Robin". There were also reports that Kilmer had not had a good working relationship with Schumacher, as another reason for not reprising the role. In 1996 he appeared in a largely unknown film, "Dead Girl", and starred alongside Marlon Brando in the poorly received "The Island of
George Clooney in which he also starred. On April 4, 2008, "Variety" reported that Clooney had quietly resigned from the Writers Guild of America over a dispute concerning "Leatherheads". Clooney, who is the director, producer, and star of the film, claimed that he had contributed in writing "all but two scenes" of it, and requested a writing credit alongside Duncan Brantley and Rick Reilly, who had worked on the screenplay for 17 years. Clooney lost an arbitration vote 2–1, and withdrew from the union over the decision. He became a "financial core status" non-member, meaning he no longer has voting rights, and