Arnold Schwarzenegger has filmed sequences with several noted actors for big-money movies, and hence, most fans think that he also worked together with Chris O’Donnell. However, O'Donnell blew out this myth recently.

O'Donnell appeared on the March 24 episode of I’ve Never Said That Before with Tommy DiDario, where he disclosed his experience of working on Batman & Robin, which also featured Schwarzenegger as the villain, Mr. Freeze. But despite being part of the same movie, O'Donnell disclosed that he and Schwarzenegger never filmed together.

The 55-year-old said, "I was never actually on camera with Arnold. Not once." Subsequently, he also disclosed the reason behind this, stating, "He had a double that was so good you couldn't tell it wasn't him. Arnold only did close-ups. That was it."

Batman & Robin failed to gather a positive response. That was also the instalment when Schwarzenegger joined the franchise. Despite the movie's terrible reviews, his Mr. Freeze character was much loved by fans.

Looking back on the movie, that might have been one of the many factors that ultimately led to the demise of the Warner Bros. Batman series.

Chris O’Donnell on Why Batman & Robin Failed at the Theatres

Batman & Robin made a gross total of $238 million on an estimated budget of $120 million to $160 million. While the numbers look profitable on paper, the staggering marketing cost for the movie dwindled the amount of profit significantly. Warner Bros ultimately discontinued the franchise after such a heart-wrenching reception. 

Speaking on the failure, O'Donnell shared, “Warner Brothers just got greedy on it.” Apparently, the first film's success had blinded the production team, which rolled the second instalment in the theatres within just 2 years, instead of the standard of 3 years. 

“I think they just thought, ‘Let's just go to production. We'll wing it. We'll figure it out,” the 55-year-old added. However, O'Donnell said he didn't mind the bad reviews.

It is indeed the experience that matters at the end of the day, and O'Donnell has no notes for the fun he had while on set. It may just not have included Schwarzenegger.

Do you think Batman & Robin could've been a success without Schwarzenegger?

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Written by

Proma Chatterjee

Edited by

Souvik Roy