Why are you cutting out catwoman in the final shot?
It’s because the film was originally going to keep her fate ambiguous. However, Warner Bros ordered Tim Burton and the producers to clearly show she survive. It was one of the last minute things that was done. I personally feel doing this takes away some of the mystery and intrigue. Besides, she never even returned for the others movies as well.
Here’s the full story:
https://youtu.be/JKMSKvJncf4?t=1439
Yeah but she does return in the sequel comic and I don’t if this matters but the love interest in Batman forever does mentions catwoman by saying he like women in leather and whips. so technically it is a sequel to Batman Returns even though the tone is different.