Batman’s feature film debut was in June 35 years ago, but it wouldn’t have happened without an IU graduate.
The film franchise’s executive producer Michael Uslan purchased the movie rights in 1979 from DC Comics, but it was years before production began on the 1989 blockbuster. Uslan had to overcome many hurdles.
“I was shocked to my toes when I was turned down by every single studio in Hollywood,” Uslan said. “They told me I was crazy, that it was the worst idea they ever heard.”
Despite obstacles, Uslan persisted. He wanted a serious depiction of Batman like in the comics. He described the 1960s television series as campy, nothing like his vision.
Before release, Uslan said there was public outcry against Michael Keaton as Batman because he was known for comedy roles. But Uslan said the 1989 film broke multiple box office records because of effective marketing.
Uslan said the film shaped superhero movies for decades after. He credits director Tim Burton with focusing the story on Bruce Wayne, not Batman.
“That's the big idea, that's the game changer,” Uslan said. “If you think about it, the Iron Man movies we all enjoy so much, they really should be entitled Tony Stark.”
Uslan has mixed feelings on the rise of superheroes as box office dynasties, though.
“One of the things that Hollywood does best is kill the goose that laid the golden egg,” Uslan said. “If something’s successful, they oversaturate the marketplace.”
Uslan thinks the superhero movie will need to adapt to survive in a changing society. He believes Generation Z especially prefers movies that use more practical effects instead of computer-generated ones.
Uslan said attending IU was crucial to his personal life. He met his wife day one freshman year. They’ve been together for 50 years. But IU was critical for his career too, because of the experimental curriculum program which allowed him to teach a course on comic books.
“That led to two incredible phone calls, one from Stan Lee, from Marvel Comics, and one from the president of DC Comics, who offered me a job,” Uslan said. “I don't know how you pay that back. You pay it back any way you can.”
Uslan does so by teaching short courses at the Media School each year, and by donating tens of thousands of comic books and memorabilia to the Lilly Library.
IU Cinema will screen the 1989 Batman film Friday for its 35th anniversary. Uslan and Media School Dean David Tolchinsky will hold a Q&A afterward.
Watch: 'Batman' at 30: How Michael Uslan went from Indiana University to Gotham | [indi]android