George Clooney candidly acknowledged that Batman & Robin remains widely considered one of the worst films ever made while jokingly taking responsibility for his performance. Known for his sharp self-deprecating wit, Clooney recently reflected on playing the Caped Crusader in the infamous 1997 film Batman & Robin. The A-list Hollywood star openly admits that his biggest superhero role was a total cinematic disaster.

Recounting his early blockbuster days offers a funny look at how ambitious career moves can turn into memorable lessons.

During episode 168 of the New Heights podcast with Travis and Jason Kelce, George Clooney opened up about starring in Batman & Robin. As a rising young actor, he initially felt tremendous excitement after landing the legendary superhero role, believing it would mark a massive career breakthrough. However, looking back at the finished project, Clooney admitted realizing he was ultimately the weakest element in an already flawed film.

“And I remember being on the set of uh of Batman and Robin, (laughter) which is famously one of the worst films of all time, and I'm terrible in it,” George Clooney said. The storyline of the 1997 feature film, Batman & Robin, attempted to pit the dynamic duo against villains Freeze and Poison Ivy across Gotham City. The characters first appeared in DC Comics in 1940.  

Directed by Joel Schumacher, Batman & Robin (1997) shifted to a campy, neon aesthetic under studio pressure to prioritize merchandise sales. Screenwriter Akiva Goldsman penned the pun-heavy script, while production designer Barbara Ling and cinematographer Stephen Goldblatt created a surreal, ultra-saturated Gotham. George Clooney's appearance on the New Heights podcast brought the forgotten movie in lights again.

Netflix Debuts a Must Watch George Clooney Comedy You Absolutely Need to Watch This Christmas

Physical discomfort and strange directorial cues added to the absurdity of filming the infamous superhero spectacle.

During the same New Heights podcast, George Clooney mentioned how filming inside the heavy rubber cowl presented physical challenges that made basic movement nearly impossible on set. Clooney described being strapped to a support board while lying down in a suit weighing roughly 75 pounds between takes.

Director Joel Schumacher would dramatically remind him of his character's tragic backstories right before yelling action for simple lines. Delivering superhero dialogue while pinned down in heavy gear created an absurd experience that the actor remembered as deeply humbling.

“And I remember thinking, you know, I was so excited to get the part, and then I realized I was the worst thing in the movie,” George Clooney said.

The contrast between dramatic director notes and the awkward reality of the costume added to the overall comedy of the situation. Clooney laughed as he recounted delivering his line before being dropped right back down on the board. Despite the awkward filming conditions and negative reviews, the experience became a defining turning point in his career strategy.

Matt Damon Says George Clooney Was Fine Making $20K on ‘ER’ While a Co-Star Earned $1 Million an Episode

What do you think about the Batman & Robin? Let us know in the comments.