Acclaimed film director Joel Schumacher has died at age 80, it has been reported.
A spokesperson confirmed that Schumacher – who directed Batman Forever among many other films – died in New York City on Monday morning, after a suffering year-long battle with cancer.
The statement read: ‘Filmmaker Joel Schumacher, director of such films as ‘St. Elmo’s Fire’, ‘A Time to Kill’, ‘The Client’, and ‘Tigerland’, passed away quietly from cancer this morning after a year-long battle. He will be fondly remembered by his friends and collaborators.’
Hollywood royalty: Director Joel Schumacher – pictured here in 2013 – has died at age 80, after a battle with cancer. Schumacher died Monday morning in New York, it was reported.
Schumacher – who was openly gay – famously took over the Batman franchise from director Tim Burton with the two box-office smashes Batman Forever (1995) and Batman & Robin (1997) although the films were less favorable with critics.
However, Schumacher had an impressive career in Hollywood overall, directing classic films such as Flatliners (1990), The Lost Boys (1987), St. Elmo’s Fire (1985).
His first movie was directing Lily Tomlin in the sci-fi comedy The Incredible Shrinking Woman in 1981, which received positive reviews.
But it was his string of success directing three hit movies, St. Elmo’s Fire, The Lost Boys, and Flatliners that propelled him to being one of Hollywood’s most sought-after directors.
Schumacher famously took over the Batman franchise from director Tim Burton with the two box-office smashes Batman Forever (1995) and Batman & Robin (1997) although the films were less favorable with critics.
Classic: Schumacher rose to fame directed hit ’80s films such as the cult classic The Lost Boys (1987)
Classic cinema: Andrew McCarthy, Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, Rob Lowe St Elmo’s Fire (1985) directed by Joel Schumacher
Unsurprisingly, tributes from A-List Hollywood stars poured out on Monday, expressing their grief at Schumacher’s passing.
Ben Stiller paid tribute on Twitter saying: ‘He was kind, talented and made movies we went to the theaters for. A true professional, and a magnetic presence.’
Bill & Ted actor Alex Winter, who worked with Schumacher on The Lost Boys, tweeted: ‘Joel was a creative genius; a master at clothing design, costuming, writing and of course directing.’
Tributes: Emmy Rossum – who was directed by Schumacher in the Oscar-nominated The Phantom of the Opera (2014) – said she was ‘in tears’ leaning of his passing.
‘He shaped my life’: Emmy Rossum poses with Joel Schumacher (left) and Andrew Lloyd-Webber at the 2004 premier of The Phantom of the Opera in Leicester Square, London
A-List: Ben Stiller, who did not work with the director, re-tweeted a tribute from The Lost Boys star Alex Winter
He added: ‘Joel saw something in me as an actor I didn’t see and gave me the confidence and space to pursue it. Unfairly savaged by critics his entire career, his great work will live on.
Emmy Rossum – who was directed by Schumacher in the Oscar-nominated The Phantom of the Opera – said she was ‘in tears’ leaning of his passing.
She continued: ‘He was one of a kind. Creative. Intense. Passionate. He played a huge part in the shaping of my life. I don’t have the words right now.’
Schumacher was accused of introducing homoerotic elements to the relationship between titular characters Batman and Robin, when he took over the franchise from Tim Burton who had put a much darker spin on the caped crusader.
Famous friends: Joel (far right) poses in 2005 with actor Michael Douglas in Bangkok
Speaking about Batman and Robin in 2017, Schumacher said: ‘I want to apologise to every fan that was disappointed because I think I owe them that.’
Following the debacle, Joel went on to direct the feature adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical The Phantom of the Opera, which scored three Oscar nominations.
Most recently, the director helmed a couple of episodes of Netflix series House of Cards in 2013, and worked as an executive producer for the ID channel series Do Not Disturb: Hotel Horrors.
When asked in a 1999 interview if he had any advice for young filmmakers, he said: ‘Be bold, take risks, follow your own instincts, listen to other people only when you really believe in your gut that they’re right.’
‘Get a great cast. Get a cinematographer that isn’t jealous that you’re the director. Get an editor that’s not jealous you’re the director. You can do it.’