Warner Tries Anew To Stir Batmania For Sequel

Holy sequel-itis, Batman! They’re saying you don’t stand a chance against Casper, Pocahontas and the Power Rangers.

Not to worry, Robin, I’m boffo where it counts.

Gee, I hope you’re right, Batman. I’d hate for my - and the new Batmobile’s - debut to be a washout.

The Caped Crusader is right, Robin. The night sky over Gotham City has never looked brighter. The third in Warner Bros.’ Batman series, “Batman Forever,” may not be due for another three months (June 16, to be exact), but Batmania - a key factor in the original film’s success - is gathering momentum like a divebombing Batwing.

It’s been stoked by a 3 1/2-minute trailer (or preview) that tips Bat-fans to the fantasy-adventure series’ whole new look, new star - and most intriguing of all - new lineup of arch-villains.

This is the installment in which Val Kilmer takes over for Michael Keaton as Batman/Bruce Wayne, Chris O’Donnell swings into action as Robin, and the “S-s-s-moking!” Jim Carrey plays that malicious punster, the Riddler. Also glimpsed in the slickly produced spot, which is set to Danny Elfman’s familiar Wagnerian theme: Tommy Lee Jones and Drew Barrymore as criminal mastermind Two-Face and his moll; Nicole Kidman as new Bat-squeeze Chase Meridian; and numerous redesigned Bat-accouterments such as the Batcave, the Batmobile and the Batsuit (more of a costume now than a muscle-ribbed sarcophagus).

Tim Burton, who directed the first two “Batman” movies and is credited with the series’ dark, expressionistic look, is executive producer on this one. Joel Schumacher of “Lost Boys” and “Falling Down” is in the director’s chair, and is expected to go for a more playful tone.

“Can I persuade you to take a sandwich with you, sir?” butler Alfred inquires of Wayne as he makes for the Batcave.

“I’ll get drive-through, Alfred,” deadpans Kilmer as Wayne.

“We’re going for a lighter, airier look,” confirms Rob Friedman, Warner’s president of worldwide advertising and publicity. “This preview is meant to communicate what’s new about the new ‘Batman.’ And that is: just about everything.”

The first of what will be a series of Bat trailers (shorter spots were set for early May) made its debut Feb. 17, as a lead-in to Warner Bros.’ “Just Cause.” It was aired - and much duplicated - a week later on television’s “Extra.” While it didn’t create the furor of the original “Batman” preview, which was requested at the box office, it has become the object of much speculation - ranging from cautious (in those over 40) to ecstatic (anyone under 25).

However it’s embraced or sold, the bottom line for Warner Bros. remains: Will “Batman Forever” take wing? Will it go the way of Warner Bros.’ “Superman III” or, instead, of United Artists’ “Goldfinger” - the third outing, respectively, for the Man of Steel series and James Bond? The third “Superman” pretty much grounded the series. Fans found it too campy. “Goldfinger,” the perfect melding of gadgets and sex appeal (Sean Connery’s), pushed 007 into overdrive, and paved the way for a cliffhanger series that’s still going strong.

“The one thing we learned from the ‘Superman’ experience is: We need to always remains faithful to the character, the motivations of the character,” says Friedman. “With the third ‘Superman’ we swayed a little, we got a little too comedic. Most people found it unrewarding. The key is to remain faithful to the motivations of the character. Don’t take him for granted. Don’t make fun of him.”

This is the studio’s way of saying the new “Batman” will try to strike a balance between the silly “Superman III” and the salacious “Batman Returns,” which confused children and annoyed parents with its smutty double-entendre.