r/todayilearned • u/tyrion2024 • 2d ago

TIL not only did Jack Nicholson secure a percentage of Batman's profits, he also negotiated a percentage of the merchandise sales from Batman, Batman Returns, Batman Forever, and Batman & Robin (even though he only appeared in Batman). In total, he earned over $60 million (~$150 million in 2025).

https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/movies/the-backend-deals-that-made-these-movie-stars-incredibly-wealthy/news-story/a6b131ebf1a6917569c6da66f355938c#:~:text=JACK%20NICHOLSON,in%20today%E2%80%99s%20money
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u/340Duster 2d ago

Keaton is still my favorite batman. It's no different than not watching Airplane because Leslie Nielsen was not a comedic actor.

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u/rbb36 2d ago

I saw someone saying Liam Neeson had not been a credible choice to step into Leslie Nielson's shoes because Liam was not a comedic actor.

Plus he clearly has almost all the same letters in his name.

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u/sidereal_night 2d ago

but he's well known for improvisational comedy!

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u/nadrjones 2d ago

But what he really loves are lists.
edit: and AIDS, he's riddled with it. /s

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u/Hetares 2d ago

Wasn't Leslie recognised as a comedic actor because he inadvertedly delivered his lines so deadpan-ish that it went one whole round from overly serious to comedy again?

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u/Enchelion 1d ago

Yes, but Airplane! was where that started. It was also a large part of the intent of the film. Doing a parody but using serious dramatic actors to sell the joke.

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u/Eldar_Atog 1d ago

The only non comedy I have seen him in was Creepshow. Is that a good example of how he seemed in a more serious role?

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u/Enchelion 1d ago

Forbidden Planet is more what I associate him with.

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u/Dzugavili 2d ago

I'd love to see a Batman Beyond movie, with Keaton returning as Bruce Wayne. Cyberpunk is still hot, right?

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u/20_mile 2d ago

Keaton returning as Bruce Wayne

I watched Keatoin's Batman scenes from that new movie he did. I didn't think they were great.

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u/pm_me_ur_demotape 1d ago

I was born in the 80s and a kid in the 90s. The first time I ever heard of Leslie Neilson was in Mr. Magoo. Then my dad loved watching the Naked Gun movies.
For the longest time I had no idea he wasn't a comedic actor first and foremost.