Val Kilmer - Batman Forever (1995)
Warner Bros. wanted to veer away from Tim Burton's darker interpretation of the character despite the financial success of 1992's Batman Returns. In an attempt to mainstream the franchise, Burton's role was shifted to that of producer, and Joel Schumacher was brought on to helm the sequel.
Keaton refused the role on the basis that he didn't like the direction the franchise was heading down, which may have been a bit of forewarning for fans at that point. Keaton also hoped to seek out "more interesting roles." Ethan Hawke turned down the role, a decision he since regretted, and Kilmer accepted without having read a script nor knowing who was even directing the project.
The film was received poorly in comparison to Burton's films, who brought a depth that Schumacher instead replaced with a loud, messy narrative and a commercialization that felt intended purely for merchandising.
Unfortunately, that would only be scaled up instead of down for the sequel, which the film earned thanks to a, at the time, record-breaking box office opening.
