Marge Simpson may have met her maker—again—but longtime fans of The Simpsons know better than to trust a Springfield funeral. The Season 36 finale teases Marge’s death, but history suggests it’s just another entry in the show’s long tradition of mortality fakeouts.

Here’s the TL;DR…

• The Simpsons’ Season 36 finale depicts Marge’s “death” in a future timeline, sparking online speculation.

• The show has a history of fakeout deaths (like Ned Flanders and Homer) and real ones (like Maude and Edna).

• This latest twist reinforces The Simpsons’ tradition of resetting its world—and its staying power after 37 seasons.

Marge’s Death: A Season 36 Shocker

Pour one out for Marge Simpson—or don’t, because she’s probably fine. The Season 36 finale of The Simpsons, titled “Estranger Things,” aired on May 18, 2025, and shocked fans with a flash-forward revealing Marge’s death. The episode included a funeral and a heaven reunion scene with Ringo Starr, giving viewers just enough to trigger panic before pulling back, typical of the show’s flair for dramatics.

Despite the dramatic tone, longtime fans know better. The Simpsons is famous for teasing tragedy and then returning to the status quo. Marge’s “death” is likely another bait-and-switch, echoing the show’s fondness for fleeting mortality.

Fakeout Deaths: Marge’s Not the First

The Simpsons has faked us out before. Season 11’s “Missionary: Impossible” showed Ned Flanders seemingly perish in a volcano—only to show up later, just fine. In Season 25’s “The Kid is All Right,” Homer stages his own funeral to escape creditors. Each time, the stakes vanish as quickly as they appear. Marge’s trip to heaven, complete with celebrity cameos, fits squarely into this fakeout formula.

Real Deaths: When The Simpsons Means It

Sometimes, though, the deaths stick. Maude Flanders’ demise in Season 11’s “Alone Again, Natura-Diddily” was permanent. Likewise, Edna Krabappel’s departure in Season 25 followed the real-life passing of voice actress Marcia Wallace. These events changed the show’s fabric and were treated with lasting impact—unlike Marge’s blink-and-you-miss-it funeral.

The Simpsons’ Mortality Tradition: Kill ‘Em and Bring ‘Em Back

Fake deaths are a staple of the show’s structure. Homer has “died” multiple times, including in Treehouse of Horror episodes and surreal one-offs like Season 20’s “Four Great Women and a Manicure.” Even Mr. Burns has met dramatic ends, only to be revived later. The reset button is always nearby, which is why Marge’s current predicament feels familiar—and temporary.

Why It Matters: A Show That Can’t Die

Whether Marge stays in the afterlife or returns next season with no explanation, her “death” has reignited conversations around The Simpsons’’ cultural staying power. Now in its 37th season, the show continues to evolve—and recycle—keeping viewers talking. This latest fakeout isn’t just about Marge; it’s about a show that remains immortal, even as its characters occasionally aren’t.

Sources:

• CBC News, “Why Marge Simpson’s death suddenly has viewers talking about The Simpsons again,” June 26, 2025

• The Guardian, “Did The Simpsons really just kill off a major character?,” June 26, 2025

• Wikipedia, “In-show deaths,” June 25, 2025

• The Hollywood Reporter, “Marcia Wallace Dead: ‘The Simpsons’ Edna Krabappel Voice Actress Was 70,” October 26, 2013

• IMDb, “The Simpsons – Seasons,” June 2025

News compiled and edited by Derek Gibbs and Steven Bubbles on June 28, 2025. Follow us on ClownfishTV.com for more gaming, pop culture and tech news, and consider subscribing for only $5 per month to get access to exclusive podcasts and other content.

Get ready to command pixelated warlords—a new Minecraft mod has arrived, and it’s bringing real-time strategy to the blocky battlefield.

Key Points:

• Reign of Nether is a new Minecraft mod that transforms the game into a full RTS (Real-time Strategy), complete with factions, base-building, and tactical combat.

• The mod launches during Minecraft’s 15th anniversary and taps into a rising wave of RTS nostalgia.

• It already has 1,000+ downloads and reflects larger trends in modding, corporate support, and Minecraft’s evolving community.

Reign of Nether: A Mod That Builds Empires

Reign of Nether is the brainchild of modder SoLegendary and is available now on Modrinth. The mod radically reimagines Minecraft as a real-time strategy game. Players can lead factions like Villagers, Monsters, and Piglins, build fortresses, manage resources, and launch assaults on rival armies.

A teaser shows a Nether fortress siege, mini-map UI, and overhead troop controls. Compatible with Minecraft 1.20.6 and downloaded over 1,000 times in its first 24 hours, it’s clear this is more than just a novelty mod—it’s a fully-fledged genre shift.

Minecraft’s Modding Legacy: From Blocks to Battles

Minecraft, released in 2011 and acquired by Microsoft for $2.5 billion in 2014, has thrived thanks to its modding community. Over 100,000 mods exist, from tech packs to total conversions. Reign of Nether joins these on Modrinth, a platform known for giving creators a 75% ad-revenue share. It’s also open-source (GPL-3.0), reinforcing Minecraft’s legacy of community innovation.

From Feed The Beast to Reign of Nether, mods have pushed Minecraft in wild directions. This one taps directly into the RTS vein, offering something fresh yet rooted in the game’s iconic aesthetic.

Anniversary Timing: 15 Years of Minecraft

With Minecraft celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2025, the mod’s release is well-timed. Mojang’s Minecraft Live 2025 event and updates have brought renewed attention to the game. Reign of Nether’s focus on the Nether dimension aligns perfectly with updates from 2020’s Nether Update and 2023’s Minecraft Legends, which first introduced strategy gameplay to the franchise.

As fans celebrate the past, this mod offers a glimpse into Minecraft’s possible future—one where players rule armies, not just mobs.

RTS Revival: Perfect Time to Strike

Reign of Nether lands amid an RTS renaissance. Age of Empires IV passed 5 million units, and Halo Wars 2 continues to draw players. Statista notes RTS market growth, and Reign of Nether bridges that interest with Minecraft’s massive audience. It could be the perfect gateway mod for both RTS veterans and Minecraft diehards.

Its design—unit production, map control, base-building—borrows from classics while remaining grounded in Minecraft’s core visuals. With Minecraft on PC, console, and mobile, cross-platform mod potential is huge.

Factions and Lore: Villagers, Monsters, Piglins

Three factions offer distinct styles: Villagers lean defensive and economy-focused, Monsters are aggressive and swarming, and Piglins bring Nether-specific strategy. These reflect Minecraft’s evolving lore, especially since the 2020 and 2022 updates.

Minecraft Legends (2023) proved players are ready for more lore-driven, strategic play. Reign of Nether delivers that in a sandbox context with limitless replayability.

Big Picture: Corporate Modding and Community Creativity

Since Microsoft acquired Mojang, it has increasingly embraced modding. Reign of Nether thrives in a world where Microsoft invests in CurseForge, Epic Games supports Fortnite modding, and Sony and Nintendo slowly open up. With platforms like Modrinth growing, there’s a push to professionalize and monetize fan creations.

Reign of Nether could be a breakout mod that not only showcases the power of community, but also how far corporate support can stretch when done right.

What’s Next: Will Reign of Nether Reign Supreme?

With over 1,000 downloads in one day, social media buzz, and potential for multiplayer and even eSports play, Reign of Nether is a serious player in the mod scene. Whether it spawns tournaments, new factions, or a standalone experience remains to be seen. But one thing’s clear: in Minecraft’s kingdom, strategy now has a seat at the table.

Sources:

• Dexerto, Post ID: 1938525214129721470, June 27, 2025

• Modrinth, “Reign of Nether RTS,” June 2025

• Minecraft Wiki, “Mods,” June 2025

• The Verge, “Microsoft Buys Mojang for $2.5 Billion,” September 15, 2014

• PC Gamer, “Minecraft 15th Anniversary Celebrations,” May 17, 2025

• Minecraft Wiki, “Nether Update,” June 2025

• Microsoft, “Age of Empires IV Sales Milestone,” March 2023

• IGN, “Halo Wars 2 Sales Figures,” 2017

• Statista, “Real-Time Strategy Game Market,” June 2025

• IGN, “Cross-Platform Gaming Trends,” June 2025

• Minecraft.net, “Minecraft Legends,” 2023

• The Verge, “Microsoft’s Modding Strategy,” April 2025

• Epic Games, “Unreal Engine Modding Tools,” June 2025

• PC Gamer, “Microsoft’s Minecraft Strategy,” June 2025

• Minecraft.net, June 2025

News compiled and edited by Derek Gibbs and Steven Bubbles on June 28, 2025. Follow us on ClownfishTV.com for more gaming, pop culture and tech news, and consider subscribing for only $5 per month to get access to exclusive podcasts and other content.

Toei Animation, the legendary Japanese studio behind some of anime’s biggest franchises, is under fire again—this time not for a show, but for a rainbow. A June 26 Pride Month post triggered a flurry of backlash and reignited criticism over past controversies, dropping the company into a very modern mess of culture war crossfire.

Here’s the TL;DR…

• Backlash over Pride Post: Toei’s June 26, 2025, rainbow Pride message on X drew criticism and accusations of hypocrisy.

• 2021 Labor Dispute Resurfaces: Critics cited a past dispute involving a non-binary union member to question the sincerity of Toei’s support.

• Wider Virtue Signaling Debate: The incident reflects growing U.S. backlash against corporate branding around Pride and social causes.

The Backlash: X Reactions to Toei’s Pride Post

Toei’s post, shared on X at 18:00 UTC (Post ID: 1938296324497060214), featured a rainbow backdrop, their cat logo, and the message: “Hope you all are having a great Pride Month!” But the reaction wasn’t quite celebratory.

One user scoffed, “Yet they’ll still rebrand themselves with the flag for Pride month this year like they did in 2019 for publicity, it’s as inevitable as the rise of the sun.” Another fumed, “Companies that promote woke nonsense like this need to start facing heavy fines.”

While some users rolled their eyes at the backlash itself—”All these replies are triggered… BY SOME COLORS”—others pointed to Toei’s rocky history with LGBTQ+ representation and labor rights. Chief among them: a 2021 incident in which Toei reportedly refused to negotiate with a non-binary union member.

Context: Pride Post vs. Company History

Founded in 1948 and acquired by Toei Company in 1956, Toei Animation has been a fixture in anime history, from Sally the Witch to Dragon Ball to Sailor Moon. Their legacy includes pioneering entire genres and helping grow anime into a $34 billion global industry (Grandview Research, 2023).

But their record on progressive causes has been mixed. The 2021 labor dispute saw Toei accused of discriminating against an “X-gender” employee—a case that resurfaced after the Pride post. In a country where 40% of parents disapprove of homosexuality (University of Tokyo, 2020), but where youth support is growing (NHK, 2021), Toei’s move may play differently at home and abroad.

The Corporate Virtue Signaling Problem

If this all feels familiar, it should. Toei’s Pride post is the latest flashpoint in a broader backlash against corporate virtue signaling. In the U.S., Pride Month has become a branding blitz, with companies slapping rainbows on logos while often failing to follow through on policy or support.

According to The Week, Pride branding is now seen by many as hollow, while some industry analysts have observed that “woke-washing” is starting to backfire.

Wikipedia defines “virtue signaling” as expressing support for social causes to appear morally good, not necessarily to enact change.

Toei’s situation echoes that trend: bold statements, but baggage underneath.

A Legacy Studio, A Modern Misstep?

Toei hasn’t issued a statement as of 10:24 PM EDT on June 27, 2025. But whether they respond or not, the damage is done. The 2021 labor issue was already a stain. The rainbow post? For some, it rubbed salt in it. For the majority on X? Stick to making anime.

As more fans question whether Pride posts are genuine or just a way to stay trendy, the whole thing starts to feel less like support and more like seasonal marketing. For legacy brands like Toei, that can turn even a simple tweet into a PR landmine.

Sources:

• Toei Animation, Post ID: 1938296324497060214, June 26, 2025

• r/TwoBestFriendsPlay, “Toei Animation Refuses Labor Negotiations With LGBT Union Member,” January 27, 2021

• The Week, “Pride month: the virtue signals of corporate America,” June 9, 2023

• Medium, “Virtue Signaling Is Starting To Backfire On Corporations,” May 21, 2022

• Wikipedia, “Virtue signalling,” June 25, 2025

• Wikipedia, “Toei Animation – Wikipedia,” June 25, 2025

• Toei Animation, “History | COMPANY,” corp.toei-anim.co.jp

• University of Tokyo, “Social Attitudes Survey,” 2020

• NHK, “Public Opinion Survey on Social Issues,” 2021

• Grandview Research, “Anime Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report,” April 2023

News compiled and edited by Derek Gibbs and Steven Bubbles on June 27, 2025. Follow us on ClownfishTV.com for more gaming, pop culture and tech news, and consider subscribing for only $5 per month to get access to exclusive podcasts and other content.

Nickelodeon may have canceled The Tiny Chef Show, but fans aren’t letting the little guy go down without a fight. As of June 27, 2025, the show’s creators have raised over $500,000 in crowdfunding to keep the Emmy-winning stop-motion series cooking.

Here’s the TL;DR…

• The Show Was Canceled June 24, 2025: Nickelodeon pulled the plug after three seasons and an Emmy win, citing low viewership and new IP priorities.

• Internet Backlash Fueled a Crowdfunding Boom: Viral fan support and trending hashtags helped the creators raise over $500,000 to revive the show.

• The Creators Plan to Go Independent: With network backing gone, Tiny Chef may find new life on streaming or as a fan-funded series.

What’s The Tiny Chef Show? A Recipe for Popularity

Premiering on September 9, 2022, The Tiny Chef Show is a quirky hybrid of stop-motion animation and live-action, created by Rachel Larsen, Ozlem “Ozi” Akturk, and Adam Reid. The star? A tiny mouse-sized chef who whips up “weshipees” like avocado sushi with charm, humor, and a big heart.

Featuring guest voices like RuPaul and Amy Sedaris, the series won the 2023 Emmy for Outstanding Children’s Series and wrapped three seasons with 41 episodes. Its handmade aesthetic and earnest storytelling struck a chord with audiences of all ages.

Cancellation Drama: Nickelodeon’s Tough Call

Despite its critical success, Nickelodeon canceled The Tiny Chef Show on June 24, 2025. A viral video showed Tiny Chef tearfully taking the call, with creators revealing the decision stemmed from low ratings and a shift in focus to new intellectual property.

@thetinychefshowSOS Cheffers, please go to the link our bio to learn how you can help us keep Chef on social media. Tiny chefs cooking show has officially been cancelled (very unexpected) and without the support of a major network we need crowd funding to keep cookin’ over here. Yesh this es weal! We want to thank @nickelodeon for giving Chef two blamazing seasons and all the besties he made there. Chef wouldn’t want anyone to blame his friends over there, he’s just deeply sad he doesn’t get to continue hosting a show he adores. Please let cheffy know how much he means to you in the comments he’s really feelin this one.

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Nick had renewed the show for a second season in November 2023, which premiered later that month. But even the momentum of a third season and Emmy buzz wasn’t enough to save it.

Internet Reaction: A Tidal Wave of Support

Fans took to social media under the hashtag #JusticeForTinyChef, turning the cancellation into a trending topic. X users shared GIFs of Tiny dancing and crying, while creators posted a heartfelt plea encouraging support.

Posts like @ToonHive’s June 25 message confirmed the show’s end, and @SouthDallasFoodie’s viral tweet, “Justice for Tiny Chef,” helped galvanize the movement. The Express Tribune noted the response as a “viral wave of support.”

Crowdfunding Success: A Recipe for Revival

In the wake of the cancellation, the show’s creators launched a crowdfunding campaign via Venmo, PayPal, and fan club memberships. By June 27, 2025, at 9:02 PM EDT, donations had topped $500,000.

The creators plan to use the funds to independently produce new episodes, keeping the spirit of Tiny Chef alive without network oversight. Whether through YouTube, streaming, or grassroots distribution, the fan-fueled effort has kept the pilot light on.

What’s Next: A Tiny Triumph?

The Tiny Chef team isn’t backing down. With a fan-funded war chest and a viral wave of support, the show may cook up a new home soon. Independent production is on the table, and streaming platforms could be next.

This tiny titan isn’t done yet—his Emmy, loyal fanbase, and $500K in support say there’s plenty of fuel left in the oven.

Sources

• Dexerto, “Tiny Chef Creators Reveal Why Nickelodeon Canceled Beloved Show Despite Emmy Win,” June 26, 2025

• Wikipedia, “The Tiny Chef Show,” accessed June 27, 2025

• @ToonHive, Post ID: 1934042169033228538, June 25, 2025

• The Express Tribune, “Tiny Chef meltdown on cancellation sparks viral fan reactions and online crowdfunding effort,” June 25, 2025

• @SouthDallasFoodie, Post ID: (referenced in Express Tribune), June 25, 2025

News compiled and edited by Derek Gibbs and Steven Bubbles on June 27, 2025. Follow us on ClownfishTV.com for more gaming, pop culture and tech news, and consider subscribing for only $5 per month to get access to exclusive podcasts and other content.

Today we talk to absolute LEGENDARY comic book artist John Romita Jr. about his storied career, advice for aspiring artists, the Marvel bullpen during its heyday and his new Kickstarter with Mark Millar, PSYCHIC SAM.

Mr. Romita has drawn nearly every Marvel character and is widely known for his work on Spider-Man, Daredevil, The Punisher, the X-Men and many, many more. In addition, he’s teamed up with Mark Millar on several other projects including Kick-Ass.

Check out PSYCHIC SAM on Kickstarter here.

Watch this podcast episode on YouTube and all major podcast hosts including Spotify.

CLOWNFISH TV is an independent, opinionated news and commentary podcast that covers Entertainment and Tech from a consumer’s point of view. We talk about Gaming, Comics, Anime, TV, Movies, Animation and more. Hosted by Kneon and Geeky Sparkles. D/REZZED News covers Pixels, Pop Culture, and the Paranormal! We’re an independent, opinionated entertainment news blog covering Video Games, Tech, Comics, Movies, Anime, High Strangeness, and more. As part of Clownfish TV, we strive to be balanced, based, and apolitical.

Clownfish TV has moved the D/REZZED livestreams to the main Clownfish TV YouTube Channel. The current plan is to stream every Monday, Wednesday and Friday around 7:30 or 8 p.m. EST.

If you missed tonight’s stream, you can check it out here.

D/REZZED News covers Pixels, Pop Culture, and the Paranormal! We’re an independent, opinionated entertainment news blog and podcast covering Video Games, Tech, Comics, Movies, Anime, High Strangeness, and more. As part of Clownfish TV, we strive to be balanced, based, and apolitical.

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Clownfish TV was live! Assassin’s Creed Shadows is getting beaten on Steam this week by older AC titles. The new Pope might disclose aliens and UFOs. Terraria comes to Palworld. Sony is making money. Final Fantasy x Magic The Gathering, toy tariff trauma and more.

Kneon also discusses the impact of AI on the video game industry, highlighting both its potential to revolutionize content creation and the accompanying concerns about job security and the authenticity of creative work, alongside various industry news and challenges.

Welcome to another edition of The Reef, Clownfish TV’s news roundup newsletter that covers movies, TV, comics, anime, video games, tabletop, and more. Here are some recent podcast episodes and articles you might’ve missed from ClownfishTV.com.

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Welcome to another edition of The Reef, Clownfish TV’s news roundup newsletter that covers movies, TV, comics, anime, video games, tabletop, and more. Here are some recent podcast episodes and articles you might’ve missed from ClownfishTV.com.

Be sure to subscribe to get this news delivered to your inbox daily!

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YouTube creators are reporting significant drops in views and impressions, with many speculating that YouTube’s recent algorithm changes—and the increasing role of AI—are behind the sudden decline.

YouTube’s algorithm has become a source of growing frustration for content creators in 2025, and Reddit’s r/PartneredYoutube is buzzing with concern. Threads like “Impressions and views dropping like a stone” and “If you are suffering from recent drop in views” highlight the scope of the issue as creators compare analytics and seek solutions.

Here’s a breakdown of what’s happening, what might be driving it, and where the platform—and its creators—go from here.

Creators Are Sounding the Alarm

Multiple users in the r/PartneredYoutube community have described dramatic viewership losses in recent weeks. One fitness creator reports a 50% drop in impressions and a 30% subscriber loss, stating bluntly, “My channel is basically dead at this point.”

A gaming content creator saw views fall by 70%, despite producing 15–20 videos weekly. Similarly, a cooking-focused channel owner shared that daily views had plummeted from 20,000 to just 3,000. In a separate thread, another said their channel saw a 40% view decline and asked if others saw the same.

With dozens of similar experiences shared, these stories suggest a broader pattern that creators say started earlier this year.

What’s Causing the Drop? Algorithmic Shifts and Broader Trends

The most commonly cited cause of the decline is YouTube’s 2025 algorithm update, which now favors user satisfaction metrics—likes, comments, and post-view survey feedback—over legacy indicators like click-through rate (CTR) and watch time. This shift rewards creators who can maintain prolonged engagement, but others feel buried by the changes.

One Reddit user suggested that saturation is also playing a role: “There’s just too many creators now.” With over 2 billion monthly users on the platform, the competition for visibility has never been more intense. Others point to seasonal slowdowns and reduced advertiser budgets as contributing factors.

Regardless of the cause, the result for many creators has been the same: declining visibility, fewer views, and reduced revenue.

Is AI Misreading Creator Content?

The role of artificial intelligence in YouTube’s current algorithm is also drawing scrutiny. In 2025, YouTube uses AI to evaluate the tone, structure, and pacing of content, aiming to predict which videos will satisfy viewers. However, creators argue that these tools are not always accurate.

User u/Ok_Bet_2736 noted that their videos “aren’t even showing up in search results anymore,” suggesting that AI might be misjudging relevance or quality. Because the algorithm’s inner workings are opaque—often referred to as a “black box”—creators say they’re left guessing why their videos are no longer being recommended.

This lack of transparency is a challenge across many social media platforms and has become a growing concern for those who rely on algorithmic exposure to maintain their channels.

Monetization at Risk

View drops have a direct financial impact. Creators who rely on YouTube’s Partner Program (YPP) for income now face tighter eligibility requirements. YouTube’s updated monetization policies include AI-driven checks for repeated or policy-violating content. Channels that fall below performance thresholds or are flagged by the system risk demonetization.

One concern is that AI moderation can mislabel content, and creators fear losing monetization entirely. YouTube’s prior actions—such as suspending monetization for Russian creators in 2022—highlight how quickly policy changes can reshape the platform.

Faced with this uncertainty, many creators are now turning to supplemental income sources like Patreon, memberships, and merchandise.

What Can Creators Do?

Some creators are adapting by experimenting with Shorts, focusing on interaction-heavy formats, or refining metadata to improve visibility. Some users have pivoted toward Shorts in hopes of regaining traction. Others are creating longer, more immersive videos to boost engagement time.

While YouTube’s @TeamYouTube account and Creator Community sometimes address widespread issues, many creators feel the platform has left them to troubleshoot on their own. The overarching question remains: can YouTube balance its emphasis on AI-driven satisfaction metrics with the needs of the creator community?

Conclusion: A Platform at a Crossroads

YouTube’s current algorithm update is proving disruptive for a wide range of content creators, many of whom now feel uncertain about the future of their channels. Reddit’s r/PartneredYoutube is filled with concern, confusion, and calls for more clarity.

If YouTube cannot address the disconnect between algorithm design and creator needs, it risks further alienating the community that helped build the platform. For now, creators will need to stay flexible, adapt quickly—and hope YouTube makes course corrections before more channels fall through the cracks.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

Are you a creator seeing similar drops in your analytics? Or a viewer noticing changes in your recommended videos? Share your experiences in the comments or on social media—we’d like to hear your perspective.

Sources:

• Reddit, “Impressions and views dropping like a stone,” August 4, 2024

• Reddit, “If you are suffering from recent drop in views,” August 15, 2024

• Flintzy, “YouTube’s Algorithm Changes in 2025 Will Impact Channel,” February 23, 2025

• Buffer, “A 2025 Guide to the YouTube Algorithm: Everything You Need to Know to Boost Your Content,” 2025

• support.google.com, “YouTube channel monetization policies,” accessed May 13, 2025

Published: May 13, 2025

News compiled by: Derek Gibbs and Steven “Edgar” Bubbles

Pixels, Pop Culture and the Paranormal! D/REZZED strives to be an apolitical, balanced, and based entertainment news outlet covering Video Games, Anime, Movies, Comics, Tech, and the Mysterious. We try to be accurate, but errors do occasionally happen. Opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of our podcast hosts, editors, other contributors, affiliates, sponsors, or advertisers.

Val Kilmer’s final cowl, Joel Schumacher’s original vision, and a darker look at Gotham’s neon-soaked past.

Something Bat-fans have waited nearly three decades for is finally happening: the long-whispered Schumacher Cut of Batman Forever is getting a public screening in Los Angeles on May 29, 2025. It’s not just a nostalgic victory lap—it’s a major pop culture moment.

With the 30th anniversary of Batman Forever right around the corner and Val Kilmer’s passing still fresh, this feels like a long-overdue spotlight on an oft-misunderstood chapter in Batman’s cinematic journey.

Which One Was Batman Forever, Again?

Released in 1995, Batman Forever was a total tonal swerve from Tim Burton’s dark, gothic take on the Caped Crusader. Joel Schumacher brought a high-voltage, fluorescent glow to Gotham, complete with over-the-top villains and action figure-ready set pieces. Val Kilmer stepped in as Bruce Wayne, flanked by Chris O’Donnell as Robin, Jim Carrey as a manic Riddler, and Tommy Lee Jones doing his best Jack Nicholson impression as Two-Face.

Critics and fans were split. It made money—over $336 million globally—but hardcore Bat-fans were left wondering what could have been. Turns out, Schumacher had a much moodier, introspective version of the film in mind… and now, nearly 30 years later, that version is crawling out of the Batcave.

What Makes the Schumacher Cut Different?

This isn’t just the theatrical cut with some deleted scenes slapped on. It’s a reimagined version that changes the emotional core of the story:

• Longer Runtime: The Schumacher Cut runs 158 minutes, a big jump from the theatrical version’s 121. This allows the story—and Bruce Wayne’s psyche—room to breathe.

• Psychological Depth: Gone is the sugar rush pacing. This version leans into Bruce’s trauma, with dream sequences, bat symbolism, and introspection that feel more Nolan than camp.

• New Opening Scene: Instead of starting with a goofy bank heist, the film opens on a gritty escape from Arkham Asylum, giving Two-Face a more terrifying entrance.

• The Giant Bat Sequence: Bruce has a symbolic showdown with a giant bat—a moment previously left on the cutting room floor. It’s weird, it’s bold, and it adds layers to Kilmer’s take on Batman.

The version being screened still isn’t finished—it needs $5M to $10M in post-production to clean up VFX and sound—but it’s enough to give fans a taste of Schumacher’s original intentions.

Why the Timing Feels Personal

This screening hits different. Val Kilmer passed away on April 1, 2025, at 65, after complications tied to his long battle with throat cancer. Just two months before his death, he shared a poignant Instagram video of himself putting on the cowl one last time.

It felt like Kilmer’s quiet goodbye to the role and the fans who embraced him. Seeing his performance through the lens of the Schumacher Cut gives Bat-fans a chance to reevaluate and appreciate what he brought to the role beyond the neon.

Director Joel Schumacher, who died in 2020, never got to share this version with the world. Screenwriter Akiva Goldsman has called this cut a tribute to Schumacher’s more serious intentions. It’s a redemption arc for both men, framed in flickering Gotham shadows.

Will Warner Bros. Finally #ReleaseTheSchumacherCut?

While it doesn’t have the massive online push of #ReleaseTheSnyderCut, the Schumacher Cut has its own loyal fandom. The May 29 screening at the Landmark Nuart Theatre, part of CineFile Video’s monthly series, might be what pushes Warner Bros. to take a closer look.

This is not the first time the cut has been shown—Kevin Smith held a private screening in 2023—but this is its most public outing yet. It’s pay-what-you-can for non-members, and CineFile members get in free. If buzz builds, WB might finally drop the funds to polish and release the full version officially.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

Would you watch a fully restored Schumacher Cut? Are you one of the fans who always preferred Kilmer’s quieter, more brooding Batman? Let us know what this version means to you—and whether WB should finally finish what Joel Schumacher started.

Sources:

• World of Reel, “‘Batman Forever: Schumacher Cut’ to Screen on May 29 in L.A.”

• CineFile Video Instagram Post, April 30, 2025

• WSB-TV, “Val Kilmer’s Cause of Death Confirmed”

• FandomWire, “Val Kilmer’s Last Instagram Video Before His Death Will Be So Hard to Watch for Batman Fans”

News compiled and fact-checked by Derek Gibbs and Edgar B.