#Joel Schumacher Remembered as Hollywood Mourns the Loss of a Genre Breaking Filmmaker

“#Joel Schumacher Remembered as Hollywood Mourns the Loss of a Genre Breaking Filmmaker”

Hollywood is mourning the loss of a genre breaking filmmaker. Joel Schumacher died peacefully at home this morning at the age of 80 after a year-long battle with cancer. He has left behind a number of Hollywood blockbusters and cult favorites, including The Lost Boys, St. Elmo’s Fire, The Client, A Time to Kill, Flatliners, Falling Down, 8mm, and many more. He also helmed Batman Forever and Batman & Robin, which were huge at the box office upon their releases in 1995 and 1997, respectfully.

Joel Schumacher was also very honest about his work and his private life. He came out as gay and influenced many others to do the same. He spoke about how Hollywood treats its actors and vowed not to work that way. When asked about advice for young directors, 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.” He went on and noted, “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.”

Joel Schumacher’s career is all over the place, but all of his projects still have his unique style. Everything from Batman & Robin to The Lost Boys, viewers still know exactly who made the movie. Kiefer Sutherland worked with Schumacher several times over the years. He had this to say about his late friend.

“His joy, spirt and talent will live on in my heart and memory for the rest of my life. Joel gave me opportunities and lifelong lessons, making films such as The Lost Boys, Flatliners, A Time to Kill and Phonebooth. His mark on modern culture and film will live on forever. I will miss you, my friend.”

Corey Feldman says that Joel Schumacher is the reason that the 2 Coreys ever got together in the first place. Feldman and Corey Haim both worked with the director on The Lost Boys. Feldman also recalled the time that the director fired him from the aforementioned movie for drug use, only to rehire him with a warning. The actor credits Schumacher with trying to prevent his descent into drugs and alcohol, which the director struggled with for a decent chunk of his youth, only gaining sobriety in 1992.

Shameless star Emmy Rossum says, “I am in tears learning of Joel Schumacher’s passing. He was a force. He was one of kind. Creative. Intense. Passionate. He played a huge part in the shaping of my life. I don’t have the right words right now.” Actor Rob Morrow states that the director was “a sweet soul.” While Schumacher is gone, his legacy will live on forever, thanks to his intense creativity. You can check out what others had to say about his passing below, staring with Kiefer Sutherland’s Twitter message.

pic.twitter.com/yv09WIY17V

— Kiefer Sutherland (@RealKiefer) June 22, 2020

I am in tears learning of Joel Schumacher’s passing. He was a force. He was one of kind. Creative. Intense. Passionate. He played a huge part in the shaping of my life. I don’t have the right words right now.

— Emmy Rossum (@emmyrossum) June 22, 2020

RIP Joel Schumacher – a sweet soul https://t.co/CzVjarvG6E

— Rob Morrow (@RobMorrow_) June 22, 2020

RIP, Joel Schumacher. I met him on the set of the ill-fated Batman & Robin and he couldn’t have been nicer or more hospitable (and the man looooved to gossip). The Incredible Shrinking Woman was an early cable TV classic for me and I loved St Elmo’s Fire, The Client and Flawless. https://t.co/lqs14WPhTm

— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) June 22, 2020

I DISTINCTLY REMEMBER FEELING HOPEFUL WHEN I LEARNED HE WAS GAY AND OUT, AND THAT THERE MAY BE A PLACE FOR ME YET. HIS VISIBILITY MATTERED, NIPPLES AND ALL.https://t.co/DqYUMKI4fq via @variety

— Bryan Fuller (@BryanFuller) June 22, 2020

You were the coolest, youngest guy in every room! You had the best eye for talent in front of and the behind the camera. #RIP dear Joel Schumacher

— jane rosenthal (@janetribeca) June 22, 2020

COSTUME 4 THE 1ST TIME EVER! IT WOULD B 2 WEEKS LATER THAT I WOULD MEET #COREYHAIM 4 THE 1ST TIME! THOUGH JOEL WAS A GAY MAN, HE HAD NOTHING 2 DO W THE CORRUPTION THAT OCCURED W HAIM & I DURING THE FILMING OF THE MOVIE. IN FACT HE HAD NO IDEA. HE DID HOWEVER SENSE DEEP PAIN IN ME

— Corey Feldman (@Corey_Feldman) June 22, 2020

Next thing I know, I’m sitting in video village watching DeNiro act for hours. In the early days of my career, Joel was a mentor and friend. He was always there for support, wisdom and kindness. So lucky to have nabbed his hotel room all those years ago. RIP my friend.

— Kevin Williamson (@kevwilliamson) June 22, 2020

If your first reaction to Joel Schumacher’s death is to trash him for his BATMAN movies, you’re an asshole

— Chris Evangelista (@cevangelista413) June 22, 2020

A publicist for Joel Schumacher says that the director and filmmaker (St. Elmo’s Fire, The Lost Boys, Batman & Robin) died earlier today. pic.twitter.com/MbclCtDEhb

— Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) June 22, 2020

Rest in peace, Joel Schumacher, a wildly eclectic filmmaker who made hits, bombs, Oscar winners, and Batman & Robin.

— Scott Weinberg (@scottEweinberg) June 22, 2020

R.I.P. Joel Schumacher. His Hollywood career started as a costume designer before he was a director, most known for two Batman films, but also launched the careers of Matthew McConaughey, Colin Farrell, and more. He was 80. pic.twitter.com/OwyKDSdnbq

— Fandango (@Fandango) June 22, 2020

rip to joel schumacher. ty for the significant work you did turning me gay pic.twitter.com/sDoj9BZ7AI

— David Mack (@davidmackau) June 22, 2020

In the 90s when I was at EW, Joel Schumacher called to ream me for a (not great) story we had run. It was like being hosed with flaming bleach. I bore it. 5 min later he called back and said, “You really know how to handle an asshole!”He was a fun director and knew EVERY secret.>

— Mark Harris (@MarkHarrisNYC) June 22, 2020

He gave the world Bat-Nipples, Uma’s Poison Ivy, and the most sex-toyetic Batmobile that ever was or will be, all of which drove homophobic fans nuts. Rest in Power, Joel Schumacher.

— Glen Weldon (@ghweldon) June 22, 2020

RIP. Not many people directed as many good and bad movies as Joel Schumacher. https://t.co/QJfp7yPlxN

— Vince Mancini (@VinceMancini) June 22, 2020

Check out Joel Schumacher’s 13 films in a 15 year span (1985-2000): St. Elmo’s Fire, The Lost Boys, Cousins, Flatliners, Dying Young, Falling Down, The Client, Batman Forever, A Time to Kill, Batman & Robin, 8MM, Flawless, Tigerland.

RIP. Seemed like a sweet man.

— Josh Horowitz (@joshuahorowitz) June 22, 2020