Batman: Unchained

Batman: Unchained was the planned sequel to Batman & Robin. It was written by Mark Protosevich and was to be directed by Joel Schumacher. However, the film was cancelled after the universal negative reception of Batman & Robin. However, some of the themes and imagery that were planned for the film were later used in the 2005 film Batman Begins.

Returning characters

 * Bruce Wayne/Batman
 * Dick Grayson/Robin
 * Barbara Wilson/Batgirl
 * Alfred Pennyworth
 * Jim Gordon (expected)
 * Edward Nygma (in Batman's mind)
 * Oswald Cobblepot (in Batman's mind)
 * Selina Kyle (in Batman's mind)
 * Harvey Dent (in Batman's mind)
 * Jack Napier (in Batman's mind)

Confirmed New Characters

 * Dr. Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow
 * Harley Quinn

Returning Actors

 * George Clooney
 * Chris O'Donnell
 * Alicia Silverstone
 * Michael Gough
 * Pat Hingle
 * Jack Nicholson
 * Danny DeVito
 * Michelle Pfeiffer
 * Tommy Lee Jones
 * Jim Carrey

New Actors

 * Nicolas Cage (role offered as Dr. Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow)
 * Courtney Love as Harley Quinn (actress never hired)

Plot
The overall plot involved Batman learning to conquer fear and has to confront the demons of his past. The city would be faced with a new threat, Dr. Jonathan Crane, aka Scarecrow and his (supposed) female accomplice Harley Quinn. Harley Quinn is a toymaker who is written as The Joker's daughter who seeks revenge on Batman for The Joker's death. The Joker, along with Penguin, Catwoman, Two-Face and The Riddler would return in Batman's mind as a hallucination caused by Scarecrow's dangerous Fear Toxin. Scarecrow also discovers Batman's secret identity and forms an alliance with Harley to try and lock him inside Arkham Asylum. Robin was to leave Batman after some disagreement, however he returns to help him in his battle with Scarecrow and they manage to defeat Harley and Crane, allowing Batman to conquer his fears.

Cancellation
After the negative reviews of Batman & Robin, Warner Bros. were unsure of the plans for Batman: Unchained. George Clooney then vowed to never wear the cape and cowl again after the negative reviews. Joel Schumacher claimed that he had lost his passion for Batman in film. After which, the film was officially cancelled.