Director Joel Schumacher Passes Away at 80

Another day in 2020, another day full of bad news. Director Joel Schumacher passed away today at the age of 80 after a year-long battle with cancer. 

He began his career as a costume designer, but ended up directing several films, including vampire classic The Lost Boys, 1980s drama St. Elmo’s Fire, and the less-beloved Batman Forever and Batman & Robin. He also directed Falling Down, Dying YoungPhone booth, and two episodes of the Netflix hit House pf Cards

As such, he was known for bright, colorful sets and some of the coolest looks in cinema…but also adding nipples on the Batsuit, which he did address in a 2017 Vice interview: “I just know that I’ll always go down over the nipples on Batman starting with Batman Forever.”

Schumacher is remembered amongst the film community as a sweet, humorous man who was always looking to help up-and-comers. He was also one of the few openly gay mainstream directors, which many say gave them hope they had a place in Hollywood.