Batman in film beginning with the 1989 film "Batman", directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton. Burton and Keaton returned for the 1992 sequel "Batman Returns", and in 1995, Joel Schumacher directed "Batman Forever" with Val Kilmer as Batman. Schumacher also directed the 1997 sequel "Batman & Robin", which starred George Clooney. "Batman & Robin" was poorly received by both critics and fans, leading to the cancellation of "Batman Unchained". Following the cancellation of two further film proposals, the franchise was rebooted in 2005 with "Batman Begins", directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Christian Bale. Nolan returned to direct two further installments
Robert Downey Jr. filmography had a regular role in the television series "Ally McBeal" in 2000, which won him a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor. He was then cast in the 2003 films "The Singing Detective" alongside Robin Wright and "Gothika" with Halle Berry. In 2005, he starred in "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" with Val Kilmer; in "Good Night, and Good Luck" with David Strathairn and George Clooney; and voiced the character of Patrick Pewterschmidt in the animated series "Family Guy". The following year, he appeared in the animated science fiction film "A Scanner Darkly" and as Paul Avery in the 2007 film