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ER Episode Secured George Clooney's Batman Role in 1997
11 Nov
Summary
- ER episode "Hell and High Water" in 1995 landed Clooney the Batman role
- Batman & Robin film underperformed and was panned by critics
- Clooney jokes he "f---ed it up so bad" and won't play Batman again
In November 1995, a single episode of George Clooney's hit medical drama ER would change the course of his career. The episode, titled "Hell and High Water," featured Clooney's character, Dr. Doug Ross, heroically rescuing a boy trapped in a storm drain. This display of heroism caught the attention of Warner Bros. executives, who were so impressed that they immediately offered Clooney the role of Batman in the 1997 film Batman & Robin.
Directed by Joel Schumacher, the superhero film had a star-studded cast that included Arnold Schwarzenegger, Alicia Silverstone, Uma Thurman, and Chris O'Donnell. However, the movie underperformed at the box office and was eviscerated by critics, currently holding an 11% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Clooney is well aware of the film's poor reputation, joking in October 2021 that he "f---ed it up so bad they won't let me near the set" of any superhero movies. The two-time Oscar winner has also stated that he doesn't plan to play Batman ever again, saying in December 2023 that "I don't think there are enough drugs in the world for me to go back again." Despite his regrets, Clooney did make a brief appearance as Batman alter ego Bruce Wayne in 2023's The Flash.
