Director Joel Schumacher has passed away at the age of 80 from cancer, it was revealed last night.
Joel Schumacher was renowned for helming 'Batman Forever' and 'Batman & Robin'. He also directed cult classic movies 'St. Elmo's Fire' and 'The Lost Boys'.
Of Irish interest, Schumacher directed Colin Farrell in 'Tigerland' and 'Phone Booth', as well as the biopic 'Veronica Guerin'. His later credits included 'The Phantom of the Opera' and episodes of Netflix series 'House of Cards'.
Tributes have been coming in on social media from the likes of Corey Haim, sister of the late Corey Haim who starred in 'Lost Boys', and Minnie Driver, who starred in 'Phantom'.
My family would like to express condolences to friends and family of #JoelSchumacher He was a wonderful director and I know my late brother #CoreyHaim cherished his #LostBoys experience with him. #rip
— Cari Haim (@Cariteacher) June 23, 2020
#JoelSchumacher was the funniest, chicest, most hilarious director I ever worked with. Once,on set,an actress was complaining about me within earshot; how I was dreadfully over the top (I was)Joel barely looked up from his NYT+said “Oh Honey,no one ever paid to see under the top”
— Minnie Driver TICKLESS WONDER (@driverminnie) June 23, 2020
'Phantom of the Opera' stars Patrick Wilson and Emmy Rossum also shared words of thanks.
This breaks my heart. I treasured my time with Joel. The laughter. The wisdom. The karaoke. Both he and Mike Nichols believed that about 80% of what they did was casting. He started the careers of many. Too many to name. Such a diverse and fearless resumé. Rest In Peace. ❤️ https://t.co/CkTBLve6Ie
— patrick wilson (@patrickwilson73) June 22, 2020
Kiefer Sutherland, who worked with Schumacher on a number of films, also paid a touching tribute.
— Kiefer Sutherland (@RealKiefer) June 22, 2020
Jim Carrey, star of 'Batman Forever', said the late director "lived a wonderfully creative and heroic life."
Corey Feldman shared a series of tweets honouring the director and their friendship.
JOEL WAS THE DIRECTOR OF #THELOSTBOYS IT WAS BECAUSE OF HIM #THE2COREYS EVER MET OR BECAME A THING! IT WAS HIS IDEA! HE WAS THE 1ST PERSON 2 EVER SAY “IVE GOT #THE2COREYS IN MY MOVIE” AS HE BRAGGED ON THE PHONE 2 A FRIEND FROM THE WARDROBE FITTING AS I WAS TRYING ON MY #EDGARFROG
— Corey Feldman (@Corey_Feldman) June 22, 2020
THAT IS WHAT LED 2 R CLOSE FRIENDSHIP. AS THE 1ST DAY I WAS GIVEN COCAINE BY AN ADULT WAS ON THE SET OF #THELOSTBOYS JOEL WAS SOBER @ THE TIME & IMMEDIATELY NOTICED I WAS HIGH! HE FIRED ME ON THE SPOT. HE THEN ASKED WHERE MY PARENTS WERE! WHEN I TOLD HIM I DIDNT KNOW, HE REALIZED
— Corey Feldman (@Corey_Feldman) June 22, 2020
HOWEVER JOEL SCHUMACHER SENT ME SUPPORTIVE MESSAGES RIGHT TIL THE END OF HIS LIFE INCLUDING A SUPPORTIVE EMAIL AS HE WAS UNABLE 2 ATTEND THE PREMIER OF #MYTRUTHTHERAPEOF2COREYS W CONDOLENCES. NOW MY CONDOLENCES R W HIM! JOEL U R A BEAUTIFUL SOUL & U WILL B MISSED!
— Corey Feldman (@Corey_Feldman) June 22, 2020
PLEASE TAKE CARE OF OUR DUDE UP THERE IN HEAVEN! MAYBE NOW U CAN START TALKIN 2 #COREYHAIM ABOUT ALL THE THINGS WE CAN CREATE ONCE WE ALL MEET AGAIN IN ETERNITY! GOD BLESS U MY FRIEND! YOUR ART WILL LIVE ON IN INFAMY! #RIPJOELSCHUMACHER #THELOSTBOYS #BATMANFOREVER #FLATLINERS
— Corey Feldman (@Corey_Feldman) June 22, 2020
Fans of Schumacher such as comedians Billy Eichner and Kevin Smith also turned to Twitter to express their condolences.
RIP Joel Schumacher. I love St Elmo’s Fire. He was a (very) outspoken gay director before that was cool and his movies are a throwback to a time when Hollywood made something other than bloated action films or Oscar bait homework assignments. RIP Joel. I’m glad you had fun.
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) 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
