The 55-year-old NCIS star, who portrayed Robin in Batman Forever (1995) and the widely criticized Batman & Robin (1997), shared surprising behind-the-scenes details while appearing on the podcast I’ve Never Said That Before with Tommy DiDario.
Although the film featured major stars such as George Clooney, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Uma Thurman, it went down as a box-office disappointment and is often ranked among the most disliked superhero movies ever made.
During the conversation, O’Donnell revealed that director Joel Schumacher was deeply shaken by the harsh reviews and even avoided leaving his hotel room during the press tour. He also disclosed that, despite appearing in the same movie, he never actually filmed a scene with Schwarzenegger.
While fans were intrigued by the production stories, many were more focused on O’Donnell’s changed look. Social media quickly filled with reactions, with some viewers saying they barely recognized him and others joking that he resembled a local realtor. A few harsher comments mocked his appearance, though some supporters insisted he looked largely the same.
Despite the attention on his appearance, listeners were still captivated by his candid recollections from the film’s troubled release. O’Donnell said he personally handled the negative reception well, but Schumacher took it hard. He recalled that while they were in Buenos Aires promoting the film, the director was devastated by the reviews and reluctant to face the press.
He also explained that he never shared the screen with Schwarzenegger because the actor relied heavily on a body double. According to O’Donnell, Schwarzenegger mostly filmed close-ups, while the stand-in handled wider shots.
Reflecting on working with George Clooney, O’Donnell remembered the set as fun and relaxed, suggesting the cast may have enjoyed themselves too much while making the film.
Even with the movie’s poor reputation, O’Donnell said younger viewers sometimes tell him they enjoyed it — though he admitted he can’t always tell whether they’re being sincere or joking.
Although Batman & Robin earned $238 million worldwide, its $120 million budget and weaker performance compared to Batman Forever led Warner Bros. to cancel sequel plans. The franchise didn’t return to theaters until Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins in 2005.
Despite the setback, O’Donnell’s career soon rebounded. After his time as Robin, he went on to land several notable roles, eventually finding long-term success as Special Agent G. Callen on the CBS series NCIS: Los Angeles.
Away from the spotlight, O’Donnell has largely focused on family life with his wife, Caroline Fentress, whom he married in 1997. The couple share five children — Christopher, Charles, Finley, James, and Sophie — and he has also supported charitable causes, including work with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
