Director Christopher Chulack reveals that George Clooney was chosen for the role of ‘Cape Crusader’ because of a specific episode of ER.

George Clooney Was Selected For ‘Cape Crusader’ Role Due To THIS ER Episode

Director Christopher Chulack, who directed the ER episode “Hell and High Water” (which aired on November 9, 1995), shared with TV Insider that the inspiring plotline was what drew the attention of Warner Bros. In this episode, Clooney’s character, Dr. Doug Ross, rescues a young boy who is stuck in a storm drain, a moment that highlighted his charm and bravery.

The Episode That Transformed Clooney’s Career

“That episode attracted 45 million viewers,” Chulack reminisced. “The following day, this is a true story, Bob Daley and Terry Semel, who were the heads of Warner Bros. Television, came to George’s dressing room and told him, ‘You’re going to be the next Batman because of the heroism displayed in that episode.’ So I thought it was only going to get better from there, and it did.”

And indeed, it did. After Clooney departed from ER in 1999 to focus on his film career, he swiftly rose to become one of Hollywood’s leading actors with celebrated roles in Michael Clayton, Up in the Air, Syriana, and the Ocean’s Eleven series.

The Notorious Legacy of Batman & Robin

Nevertheless, Batman & Robin itself failed to meet expectations. Directed by Joel Schumacher, the 1997 superhero film boasted a star-studded cast including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Alicia Silverstone, Uma Thurman, and Chris O’Donnell. Despite the impressive lineup, the film did not perform well at the box office and received harsh criticism from reviewers.

Clooney Reflects on His Notorious Batman Role

Clooney has frequently addressed the film’s negative reception with a sense of humor. “I did one superhero film, and I f—ed it up so badly they won’t let me near the set,” he joked in October 2021 during an event at the Directors Guild of America in New York City, as reported by PEOPLE.

In December 2023, the two-time Oscar winner mentioned to Entertainment Tonight that he had no intention of ever wearing the cape again, quipping, “I don’t think there are enough drugs in the world for me to go back again.” However, he did make an unexpected cameo as Bruce Wayne in The Flash that same year, offering fans one last nostalgic look at his time as Batman.