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George Clooney's journey to becoming Batman began with one unforgettable episode of his hit '90s medical drama, 'ER.'
According to ‘ER’ director Christopher Chulack, it was the show's November 1995 episode, 'Hell and High Water,' that ultimately convinced Warner Bros. executives to cast Clooney as the next Caped Crusader in 'Batman & Robin' (1997). The episode, which saw Clooney's character Dr Doug Ross saving a young boy trapped in a storm drain during a fierce storm, drew a massive audience of over 45 million viewers.
How George Clooney Got The Batman Role?
Christopher Chulack recalled that the day after the episode aired, Warner Bros. Television executives personally visited George Clooney on set to inform him that his heroic on-screen moment had sealed his future as Batman. That pivotal episode not only boosted ER's popularity but also catapulted Clooney's career to new heights.
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After leaving 'ER' in 1999 to focus on film, George Clooney became one of Hollywood's biggest stars, starring in acclaimed movies such as 'Michael Clayton,' 'Syriana,' 'Up in the Air,' and the 'Ocean's Eleven' franchise.
George Clooney's 'Batman & Robin' Failed Success
However, 'Batman & Robin' itself didn't share the same success. Directed by Joel Schumacher and featuring a star-studded cast that included Arnold Schwarzenegger, Uma Thurman, Alicia Silverstone, and Chris O'Donnell, the film failed to impress both critics and audiences. It performed poorly at the box office and currently holds a low rating on Rotten Tomatoes—a far cry from what was expected of such a blockbuster lineup.
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George Clooney has often acknowledged the movie's shortcomings with humour, admitting that his superhero debut didn't exactly go as planned. Over the years, he's joked that his performance in 'Batman & Robin' was so poorly received that Hollywood wouldn't let him near another superhero set. Despite that, fans got a nostalgic surprise when he briefly reprised his Bruce Wayne persona in 'The Flash' (2023).
Though 'Batman & Robin' may not have been the career-defining success George Clooney hoped for, that one 'ER' episode remains a turning point—the moment that transformed him from TV heartthrob to global movie star.
