A spokesman for the beloved film director Joel Schumacher confirmed that the filmmaker has passed away today on Monday at the age of 80.
Schumacher has been fighting with cancer for over a year.
Schumacher is most famous for being at the helms of “Batman Forever” (1995) and “Batman and Robin” (1997), but has also directed other films such as “The Lost Boys” (1987) and “The Phantom of the Opera” (2004).
While critical reception of his Batman films were not stellar, especially compared with the earlier works by Tim Burton or later works by Christopher Nolan, they were still box-office hits.
The statement from his spokesperson said that the filmmaker peacefully breathed his last in New York City, and that he will be dearly missed by all his loved ones.
Schumacher had a brilliant string of movies from the mid 1980s to the early 90s, from “St. Elmo’s Fire” (1985) to “The Lost Boys” (1987) and “Flatliners” (1990).
Although they were far from critical darlings, Schumacher had a knack for directing films that people can watch and enjoy. While it may sound easy, it was only because of the great skills that he used to entertain, rather than to preach with his works.
Hollywood stars, especially those who had previously worked with the filmmaker, rushed to share their condolences and thoughts at the death of this great director. Ben Stiller remembered how Schumacher had a great presence and was a real professional who brought seats to the cinema.
Alex Winter, who had worked with Schumacher on “The Lost Boys”, called him a genius who could successfully lead and manage every part of the process from the script to costumes.
Emmy Rossum, who worked with the director in 2004, said Schumacher was integral to forming the way she lived her life. Saying that she was all tears at the news, Rossum said she couldn’t find the right words at this point other than heaping great praise on the late director.
Despite his long and beloved career in Hollywood, Schumacher was one of the rare Tinseltown residents who kept with him a sense of humility. For instance, he apologized to fans of Batman in 2017, saying that he owes them one for their disappointment with the 1997 movie.
Join us in sharing our condolences and thoughts with his family and loved ones.
Replaced!