Joel Schumacher, Director of Batman Films and ‘Lost Boys,’ Dies at 80

Joel Schumacher died at 80 in New York City on Monday, June 22, after a long battle with cancer.

The costume designer-turned-director of films which includes, “St. Elmo’s Fire,” “The Lost Boys,” “Flatliners,” “Falling Down,” and “Batman” films was openly gay in most of his film career. He claimed he had sex with up to 20,000 men, which deliberately reflected as a statement in many of his films.

Famous stars paid tribute to director Joel Schumacher;

Kiefer Sutherland said Joel’s joy, spirit and talent will live-on in his heart and memory for the rest of his life.

The famous actor who appeared in Batman Forever, Jim Carrey also remembered Schumacher.

Corey Feldman, who appeared in The Lost Boys, said the director sent him supportive messages tight till the end of his life.

However, Joel Schumacher was born in New York City and died also in New York City. He was an American filmmaker and rose to fame after he co-wrote and directed his third feature film “St Elmo’s Fire” in 1985. 

The film director was formerly a costume designer; he started his media work as a costume designer in films such as Woody Allen’s Sleeper and Interiors in the 1970s and moved on to his first screenplay “Sparkle” in 1976 and his low-budget hit “Car Wash” in 1976. 

Furthermore, the first film he directed was “The Incredible Shrinking Woman” in 1981 before his hit, “St Elmo’s Fire” in 1985 and he has directed lots films such as John The Client (1994), A Time to kill (1996), Falling Down (1993) and 8mm (1999). 

In 1993, Joel Schumacher signed a contract to direct Batman film series, Batman Forever (1995) and Batman & Robin (1997). He pulled out of blockbusters after the Batman film series and returned to minimalist films such as Tigerland (2000), Phonebooth (2002), The Phantom of the Opera (2004) and The Number 23 (2007).

 Moreover, other stars that paid their tribute are;

Sharon Stone tweeted “God Speed to Joel Schumacher. I love you, and you will be missed.”

Actress and presenter, Padma Lakshmi described him in a tweet 

Joel Schumacher was known for his ability to pick out new talent and making them A-list stars such as Sutherland, Colin Farrell, and Rob Lowe.

He once said: “If you love a movie, there are hundreds of people who made it lovable for you. If you don’t like it, blame the director. That’s what our name’s there for.”