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 the Oscar for his role in "Syriana". Clooney next appeared in "The Good German" (2006), a film noir directed by Soderbergh that is set in post-World War II Germany. In August 2006, Clooney and Heslov started the production company Smokehouse Pictures. In October 2006, Clooney received the American Cinematheque Award, which honors someone in the entertainment industry who has made "a significant contribution to the art of motion pictures". On January 22, 2008, Clooney was nominated for an Academy Award (and many other awards) for Best Actor for "Michael Clayton" (2007). Later that year, he directed his third film, "Leatherheads",