Batman Forever almost starred Real World's Eric Nies, says Real World's Eric Nies
TV Features Eric Nies
Congratulations to all of us for living to see a bold new renaissance of news about original Real World cast member Eric Nies, because, well: We’re now living in a bold new renaissance of news about original Real World cast member Eric Nies. Hot off yesterday’s report—backed up by today’s premiere, in which it was revealed that the actor, model, and modern shaman had tested positive for COVID-19—that Nies was forced to tele-commute to Paramount Plus’s Real World reunion series, Homecoming New York, Nies has now also revealed another somewhat improbable wrinkle in his generally improbable career. I.e., that he was almost cast as Robin in 1995's Batman Forever (at least, according to original Real World cast member Eric Nies).
This is per Everything Iconic host Danny Pellegrino, who interviewed Nies and several of his (virtual) loftmates this week about their return to the Real World world 29 long, strange years after the series first debuted on MTV. Said intervening period involved a lot of changes for everyone involved, not least of which because they’d suddenly transformed from “7 twentysomethings with the free time to let themselves be filmed bickering in a house for several weeks” into some of American TV’s first reality stars. For Nies, that apparently involved becoming friends with director and producer Joel Schumacher, who took over the Batman film franchise after Warner Bros. asked Tim Burton to take his creepy clown obsession elsewhere in the aftermath of Batman Returns. Schumacher was apparently so impressed by the then-24-year-old Nies that he reported tried to make some moves to get him cast in the Robin role that eventually went to Chris O’Donnell, but the decision was (again, according to original Real World star, and “Beauty Way” lifestyle guru, Eric Nies) blocked by star Val Kilmer, whose representatives were “afraid I was going to upstage Val Kilmer.” (That’s according to original Real World star Eric Nies, in case you were having trouble keeping track.)
This is not, as it happens, the first time Nies has floated this particular idea, although, as far as we can tell, neither Kilmer nor Schumacher have ever been asked about it. Although the original article appears to have fallen off the internet, he said something similar (including the “upstage” line) back in 2009, while promoting his appearance on VH1's Confessions Of A Teen Idol. But while Nies was certainly a fit dude back in the mid-1990s, it’s not clear from his acting resumé whether he could have matched the superheroic gravitas O’Donnell eventually brought to the role.
Real World: Homecoming, New York is currently airing on Paramount Plus.
21 Comments
Yes, fine, I get from the article that Eric Nies is making the claim, and has done so before in the past. But is there any other independent, objective evidence to either corroborate or refute the claim? That would help add some context to it.
He can be my wingman anytime!
Well, he’s never lied to me before, so I’m inclined to believe him.
But you’re a filthy whore!
or he’s a really good liar, in which case I admire the work ethic
We might have believed him if he didn’t make the story so ridiculous
that’s how ridiculous Hollywood is…it’s more amazing that this stuff doesn’t happen
It’s not impossible (except for the part about Kilmer cockblocking it). America has a dumb habit of putting reality personalities in positions they aren’t qualified for.I honestly started this post thinking about Colleen from Survivor. But then, well, you know.
Really? I feel like the Kilmer blocking it part is the MOST realistic part of the story.And I will forever say: Reality TV peaked with Colleen from Survivor.
You mean “peaked.”
David Giuntoli seems to be doing alright! Probably helps that he stays under the radar.
*a very drunk Joel Schumacher* “Sure, Eric, sure! You can be Robin! Or…something…Somebody get me another Cuba Libre!”*morning after Schumacher* “I said what, now? That’s crazy talk. Tell him…tell him Kilmer doesn’t want to work with him. That’ll fix it!”The only way that story makes sense.
You have to admit, in retrospect, rewatching Batman Forever and seeing Eric Nies bouncing around in the Batmobile while a gang in neon facepaint who happen to be… under a bunch of blacklights (?) gather around would make a lot more sense, wouldn’t it?Plus, then you’d have another weird aspect of Clooney’s turn as Batman, where he would be on film calling Eric Nies “brother.”
“Every time me, original Real World star Eric Nies isn’t onscreen, Joel, the other characters should ask “where’s original Real World star Eric Nies?”
I think it’s more amazing that this DIDN’T happen, because the equivalent of ERIC NIES IN BATMAN is what so so many people in Lala are trying to get done every day.
Joel: How do you feel about Reality TV star Eric Nies being Robin?Val: No!!! He’ll upstage me!!!Joel: OK; how about established actor and teen magazine heart throb Chris O’Donnell?Val: Yes, that will be fine.
I don’t find this all that hard to believe. Seems pretty in-character for Joel “Lost Boys” Schumacher to be out there finding “talent” in unusual places when it comes to guys in their early 20s, enough to get him the process going for a while, and I don’t have a hard time imagining Val Kilmer saying they need to cross the Real World guy’s name off the list.
I mean, honestly, this is the kind of dumb thing that Schumacher-era Batman would at the very least consider, so sure.
See? America has always been dumb.
Nope. Just you!
Nies is a douchebag, but O’Donnell was very bad as Robin, so.