Nearly 30 years after its release, Batman Forever (1995) continues to occupy a unique place in the Caped Crusader’s history.
Directed by Joel Schumacher and starring Val Kilmer as Bruce Wayne, the film represented a major tonal shift from the quasi-gothic style established by Tim Burton in Batman (1989). Brighter, louder, and far more stylized, Batman Forever divided audiences upon release but has since developed a strong cult following within the Bat fandom.
Why Is Batman Forever So Popular?
Much of that reputation comes from its unforgettable villain performances. Jim Carrey delivered an intentionally manic interpretation of Edward Nygma/The Riddler, while Tommy Lee Jones leaned fully into comic-book excess as Harvey Dent/Two-Face.
Over the years, both performances have become deeply associated with the film’s chaotic energy and larger-than-life identity.
Batman Forever Returns in a New DC Project
The movie is also inseparable from “Kiss From a Rose” by Seal, which became one of the defining songs of the 1990s and remains one of the most iconic tracks ever attached to a superhero film. Now, that song has officially returned to Gotham City.
Warner Bros. Games has now released the launch trailer for the upcoming third-person open-world video game LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight (2026) ahead of the game’s May 22 release date, and the trailer’s use of “Kiss From a Rose” has immediately become one of the biggest talking points among fans. The inclusion feels especially poignant following the death of Val Kilmer in 2025.
Legacy of the Dark Knight Is a Melting Pot of All Things Batman
That celebration forms the core identity of LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, which pulls inspiration from decades of Batman storytelling across film, animation, comics, and gaming. In a behind-the-scenes featurette for the game, James Gunn explained: “One of the many great things about LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is that it manifests all these different elements of Batman that we’ve loved over the years.”
The game’s open-world Gotham City incorporates elements inspired by Burton’s Batman (1989), Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy (2005-2012), Matt Reeves’ The Batman (2022), and even modern comic interpretations like DC’s Absolute Batman line.
Players will be able to control multiple members of the Bat-Family, including Batman, Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl, Jim Gordon, Catwoman, and Talia al Ghul. Each character features unique gadgets and abilities tied to traversal, puzzle-solving, and combat.
The game also recreates several moments inspired by Batman films throughout the decades, including sequences reminiscent of Jack Nicholson’s Joker museum scene from Batman (1989) and moments inspired by Heath Ledger’s Joker in The Dark Knight (2008).
Beyond Gotham’s story missions, players can explore locations like Arkham Asylum and Ace Chemicals while unlocking Batmobiles, Batcycles, collectibles, and side activities throughout the city.
The official synopsis for the game reads:
“Step into the cowl of the Dark Knight and unite Gotham’s greatest heroes in LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. Explore a vast open-world Gotham City, battle iconic villains, and experience a celebration of Batman’s legendary history across film, comics, and animation.”
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight launches May 22, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. A Nintendo Switch 2 version will release at a later date.
Will you be playing Legacy of the Dark Knight? Who’s your favorite Batman? Let us know in the comments below!
