Joel Schumacher died in New York City on Monday after battling cancer for quite some time. The director was most known for his work on films including Batman and Robin, Batman Forever, Lost Boys, and St. Elmo’s Fire.
Schumacher joined the Batman franchise in the ’90s after Tim Burton‘s exit. The first film, Batman Forever, grossed more than $300 million worldwide. Two years later, Batman and Robin grossed about $230 million. Neither film was particularly adored by critics, but fans have a deep nostalgia for each. As an openly gay man, many fans credit him with bringing more representation to the silver screen.
Originally a costume designer, Schumacher brought his love of fashion to his role as director. In Batman Forever, he introduced nipples to the costumes of Batman and Robin which brought more notice to the possible attraction between the two.
Before he directed anything Caped-Crusader, Schumacher directed and co-wrote St. Elmo’s Fire, a movie synonymous with the ‘80s. The film starred Brat Pack members Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, and Ally Sheedy as well as Demi Moore, as they all struggle with post-college life. Following that, Schumacher directed The Lost Boys, a horror-comedy with a cult-like following.
Schumacher was 80 years old.
Many celebrities are mourning his passing. See some of their tweets below.
Along with everything else in his career, Joel Schumacher was the costume designer on The Last Of Shiela. Legend. pic.twitter.com/dWsBCUhZeo
— Rian Johnson (@rianjohnson) June 22, 2020
https://twitter.com/JimCarrey/status/1275156929443008512
RIP Joel Schumacher. I love St Elmo’s Fire. He was a (very) outspoken gay director before that was cool and his movies are a throwback to a time when Hollywood made something other than bloated action films or Oscar bait homework assignments. RIP Joel. I’m glad you had fun.
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) June 22, 2020
#JoelSchumacher was the funniest, chicest, most hilarious director I ever worked with. Once,on set,an actress was complaining about me within earshot; how I was dreadfully over the top (I was)Joel barely looked up from his NYT+said “Oh Honey,no one ever paid to see under the top”
— Minnie Driver TICKLESS WONDER (@driverminnie) June 23, 2020
h/t: Variety
