Here’s Why Arnold Schwarzenegger Is Paying Warner Bros. $1 Each Year

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As a long-time Batman enthusiast who has witnessed the highs and lows of the Dark Knight’s cinematic journey, I can’t help but chuckle at the peculiar tale of Arnold Schwarzenegger and his beloved Mr. Freeze suit from “Batman & Robin.” It’s not every day that you hear about an actor forking over a single dollar annually to keep a prop!

Because of the strong performance at the box office for Batman Forever, Warner Bros. decided to make another sequel with Joel Schumacher returning as director. However, Val Kilmer initially agreed to reprise his role but later backed out due to his commitment to the film The Saint. Later, it was disclosed that Schumacher and Kilmer had a strained working relationship, which might have been the primary reason for Kilmer’s decision not to return.

George Clooney took over for Kilmer during the filming of “Batman & Robin,” marking his initial and, luckily, only stint in that character (though you might guess which one). Uma Thurman played Poison Ivy, while Arnold Schwarzenegger portrayed Mr. Freeze in a performance often criticized as one of the worst comic book adaptations ever made.

In a different phrasing: The character portrayed by Schwarheneger in the Batman series didn’t fit well and the role’s writing was poorly done, severely damaging one of Batman’s most iconic villains. However, despite his performance being largely forgettable, the costume Schwarzenegger wore during filming remains vivid in many people’s memories, even though it wasn’t faithful to the comic book version. This article, instead, will focus on that distinctive costume.

To clarify, you’re likely aware that Schwarzenegger took on the role of Victor Fries, more famously known as Mr. Freeze, in the movie “Batman & Robin“. Regrettably, his portrayal was hindered by ill-suited casting and a problematic script that turned Mr. Freeze into a character overly reliant on ice puns, lacking any resemblance to the captivating villain from Paul Dini’s Batman: The Animated Series.

Although the show’s performance may not be hailed as one of history’s greatest, the Mr. Freeze suit remains fondly remembered by many fans. Interestingly enough, there’s an intriguing tale linked to this iconic costume. For those who might not be aware, Arnold Schwarzenegger pays Warner Bros. a single dollar each year. The reason? He wanted to “own” the Mr. Freeze suit! Typically, costumes and props are kept by the studio and not given to actors, so Schwarzenegger negotiated a contract where he pays Warner Bros. symbolically to acknowledge their ownership of the suit, but in essence, he gets to keep it.

Back in a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, production head Peter MacGregor-Scott shared some intriguing insights about an unusual deal they had.

After watching a movie like Batman Forever, storage becomes an essential aspect. Many sets are folded and kept for potential use in future productions. However, we didn’t retain the cave since it was too cumbersome to set up each time. Instead, all the unused bat costumes and wardrobe were saved. The actors often have a liking for certain items, so we must ensure that they take very few pieces. Arnold Schwarzenegger desired Mr. Freeze’s costume, which reached the top of the studio. He had to sign a contract, and I believe he pays $1 per year to borrow it. The lights in those costumes last for 9,000 hours, but he doesn’t keep them on all day; instead, he occasionally turns them on.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

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2024-09-07 14:43