THE ACCLAIMED director who worked on dozens of mainstream phenomenons and cult favourite films has passed away at the age of 80.
Joel Schumacher, who helped to turn Colin Farrell into a star by working with him three times early on in his career, passed away on Monday after a year-long battle with cancer.
A spokesperson for the New Yorker confirmed the sad news, stating "Filmmaker Joel Schumacher passed away quietly from cancer this morning after a year-long battle.
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 27: Joel Schumacher and Sesame Street Muppets, Grover and Elmo attend the Sesame Workshop's 13th Annual Benefit Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on May 27, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Dustin Harris/Getty Images)"He will be fondly remembered by his friends and collaborators."
Schumacher created action blockbusters such as Phone Booth, Vampire cult favourite The Lost Boys and, after taking over the Batman franchise from Tim Burton, worked alongside George Clooney, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Nicole Kidman on Batman Forever and Batman and Robin.
He also brought Irish journalist Veronica Guerin's story to the big screen in a film of the same name, which saw Cate Blanchett, Gerard McSorley and Brenda Fricker star in the biographical crime film.
Tributes have been pouring in for the director, whose long and varied career saw him touch hundreds of lives along the way.
Cari Haim, sister of the late Corey Haim who starred in Schumacher's Lost Boys, said:
"My family would like to express condolences to friends and family f [Joel Schumahcer]. He was a wonderful brother and I know my late brother [Corey Haim] cherished his [Lost Boys] experience with him."
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
Jim Carrey paid tribute to the director by saying "he saw deeper things in me than most and he lives a wonderfully creative and heroic life.
"I am grateful to have had him as a friend."
Joel Schumacher has passed away. He saw deeper things in me than most and he lived a wonderfully creative and heroic life. I am grateful to have had him as a friend. pic.twitter.com/7kOeJ96rL8
— Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) June 22, 2020
Comedian Billy Eichner praised Schumacher's originality, saying "he was a )very) 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."
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
Padma Lakshmi said "I’m so saddened by the passing of one of my dearest friends and confidantes, Joel Schumacher. He was sharp, whip smart, witty and wise. He was kind and always had the best advice.
I’m so saddened by the passing of one of my dearest friends and confidantes, Joel Schumacher. He was sharp, whip smart, witty and wise. He was kind and always had the best advice. He was my favorite dinner guest and someone I love deeply. RIP pic.twitter.com/D6Jz98Fz90
— Padma Lakshmi (@PadmaLakshmi) June 22, 2020
"He was my favorite dinner guest and someone I love deeply. RIP."
See More: Batman, Director, Joel Schumacher, RIP, Veronica Guerin
