Joel Schumacher Debunks Classic Patrick Stewart As Mr. Freeze Rumor

Batman and Robin recently celebrated its twentieth anniversary, with the cast and crew looking back on the so-bad-it’s-good DC Comics film.

One of the biggest rumors surrounding Batman and Robin is the casting of antagonist Mr. Freeze – or rather, who was almost cast as him. While Arnold Schwarzenegger ultimately played the role, initial reports suggested that the role almost went to Patrick Stewart.

But according to the film’s director, Joel Schumacher, that wasn’t actually the case. During a recent interview with THR, Schumacher revealed that Stewart was never officially up for consideration – and that the role was expected to go to Schwarzenegger.

“It’s a wonderful idea. But no one ever suggested him,” Schumacher explained. “I had met with Arnold several times, because he was always interested in working together.”

Yet the theory of Stewart’s possible connection the project still has bearing, especially thanks to a comment from one of Batman and Robin‘s storyboard artists, Tim Burgard. According to him, an early draft of the script contained far less ice puns, and dialogue more fitting of the classically-trained Stewart.

“All the dialogue was for Mr. Freeze, you could tell it was meant for somebody who would deliver it in a Shakespearean fashion.” Burgard revealed. “It was hysterical, in my head, I was reading Freeze’s dialogue as Schwarzenegger.”

Stewart, of course, went on to embody a comic book character in his own right, playing Charles Xavier/Professor X in the X-Men franchise. But many are still left wondering what his performance as the ice-cold villain would have been like.

Mr. Freeze won’t likely appear for some time in the current DCEU, but could always make a cameo in the upcoming Gotham City Sirens. If not there, there’s always the upcoming solo Batman film with Matthew Reeves.

Up next for the DCEU and Batman is Justice League, which currently has a 4.16 out of 5 on ComicBook.com’s anticipation rankings, and the official description can be found below.

In Justice League, fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s selfless act, Bruce Wayne enlists the help of his newfound ally, Diana Prince, to face an even greater enemy. Together, Batman and Wonder Woman work quickly to find and recruit a team of metahumans to stand against this newly awakened threat. But despite the formation of this unprecedented league of heroes—Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and The Flash—it may already be too late to save the planet from an assault of catastrophic proportions.

Justice League is directed by Zack Snyder, from a screenplay by Chris Terrio, and features an ensemble cast that includes Ben Affleck (Batman), Henry Cavill (Superman), Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman), Ezra Miller (The Flash), Jason Momoa (Aquaman), Ray Fisher (Cyborg), Ciarán Hinds (Steppenwolf), Amy Adams (Lois Lane), Diane Lane (Martha Kent), Jeremy Irons (Alfred Pennyworth), J.K. Simmons (Commissioner Gordon), Amber Heard (Mera), Kiersey Clemons (Iris West) and Jesse Eisenberg (Lex Luthor).

Wonder Woman is in theaters now, followed by Justice League on November 17, 2017; Aquaman on July 27, 2018; Shazam on April 5, 2019; Justice League 2 on June 14, 2019; Cyborg on April 3, 2020; and Green Lantern Corps on July 24, 2020. The Flash, The Batman, Dark Universe and Man of Steel 2 are currently without a release dates.

MORE: Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Mr. Freeze Costume Almost Killed Him / Alicia Silverstone Suffered Massive Body Shaming As Batgirl / Geoff Johns Arrives In London For Reshoots?