Rated 1.4/5: Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Worst Movie Ever, But He Kept a Souvenir!

You might think an actor would want to quickly move on after starring in what many view as a cinematic disaster. Yet, Arnold Schwarzenegger has held onto a significant piece of memorabilia from one of his most criticized films since 1997: the Mr. Freeze costume.

Over the years, Batman has been portrayed in numerous versions on both the small and big screen. Dozens of actors have taken on the role of the caped crusader or his vibrant foes. However, not all adaptations have left a lasting impression in the same way.

A monumental failure at the box office… and in the hearts

Released in 1997 under the direction of Joel Schumacher, Batman & Robin is considered by many to be a complete disaster. Despite a star-studded cast – George Clooney as Batman, Chris O’Donnell as Robin, Uma Thurman as Poison Ivy – the film has become a prime example of what not to do in a blockbuster.

The film was ruthlessly criticized, and audiences agreed: with a disastrous rating of 1.4 out of 5 on our site, it’s not only the worst installment of the Batman saga but also one of the worst films in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s career, where he played the villain Mr. Freeze.

A bad experience? Not for everyone…

Despite the chilly reception (literally), the former bodybuilder turned action movie star doesn’t seem to hold any grudge against the role. On the contrary: he made sure to leave with a particular memento from the set.

According to producer Peter MacGregor-Scott, interviewed in 2015 by The Hollywood Reporter, Schwarzenegger specifically requested to keep one of his character’s costumes. This request had to be approved by the top executives of the studio.

“Actors wanted to take set pieces, and we have to be very careful to limit that to a bare minimum”, he explained.

Eventually, an arrangement was made: Arnold rents the costume symbolically… for 1 dollar a year for the past 28 years! “Arnold Schwarzenegger wanted a Mr. Freeze costume. This went all the way up to the top of the studio. He had to sign a contract, and I believe he pays 1 dollar a year to borrow that particular costume.”

An amusing detail: the Mr. Freeze costume, equipped with LED lights, is still functional. “The lights on these costumes last 9000 hours. He doesn’t leave them on all day, but he turns them on quite frequently”, the producer revealed.

Even though Schwarzenegger doesn’t keep the costume lit constantly, he still lights it up occasionally, as if to rekindle the memories of a shoot that wasn’t as bad in his eyes.

For the nostalgic, Batman & Robin is available on HBO Max.