Batman & Batman Returns - 4K Regrades?

This is more of an inquiry if there are any solid fan regrades of the 4K masters of the Burton Batman films out there that removes the ugly teal and restores the original theatrical colour grading, as much as possible?

There are those fanedits by Double O Productions that do an excellent job at restoring the colour to a more authentic look, however those edits also do a ton of revisionist changes like digital changes to optical effects etc, and almost go into George Lucas territory. These edits are very well done and a lot of work is put into them, but it would be nice if the people involved offered an additional 4K encode that only has the fixed colour grade and OG sound mix, and none of the other changes.

What I find interesting is, as far as I’m aware from looking online, nobody else has tackled fixing the colours of the Burton Batman 4K masters, except Double O, who also unfortunately did a ton of extra revisionist changes.

I’ll see if I can take a shot at this

I’d be very interested in a project like this, the 4Ks look great quality wise but the teal tint is a bit off putting, and it would be nice to listen to the original sound mixes along with them.

I’d be very interested in a project like this, the 4Ks look great quality wise but the teal tint is a bit off putting, and it would be nice to listen to the original sound mixes along with them.

SonnyGFunk said:

I’d be very interested in a project like this, the 4Ks look great quality wise but the teal tint is a bit off putting, and it would be nice to listen to the original sound mixes along with them.

I have found some projects who have synced the Laserdisc mixes to the 4Ks.

BoingoBanshee said:

This is more of an inquiry if there are any solid fan regrades of the 4K masters of the Burton Batman films out there that removes the ugly teal and restores the original theatrical colour grading, as much as possible?

There are those fanedits by Double O Productions that do an excellent job at restoring the colour to a more authentic look, however those edits also do a ton of revisionist changes like digital changes to optical effects etc, and almost go into George Lucas territory. These edits are very well done and a lot of work is put into them, but it would be nice if the people involved offered an additional 4K encode that only has the fixed colour grade and OG sound mix, and none of the other changes.

What I find interesting is, as far as I’m aware from looking online, nobody else has tackled fixing the colours of the Burton Batman 4K masters, except Double O, who also unfortunately did a ton of extra revisionist changes.

2026 bump.

This is something I’m seriously wanting to see happen. My expertise on colour correction is practically zilch, so ideally if anyone who knows how to colour correct 4K and possibly HDR colour correct please get in touch.

My original idea was to use the SDR prints of the 4K releases, but I was warned by someone to stay clear of those because WB screwed up the highlights on those. So it’ll have to be the HDR prints which many have said HDR is difficult to play with.

Hit us up if you have the skills and want to try and make this happen.

I’d also love to have a somewhat de-tealed version of the two, especially Batman Returns, which from the print stills does have teal in it, but should also lean deep blue, sometimes bordering on slightly purple.

The flat open matte first trailer posted might serve as a good reference (and it features alternate shots and stuff you shouldn’t be seeing).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAvlA73XNUE

Also the final theatrical trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOLQfvp4aYI&list=PLDRH8owssg8H0YToSKVBIvg0qWaFAiB9l

So it seems the home releases prior to the 4K were turned a bit too neutral in its grade.

I believe Warner Bros 35mm negative scan was leaked on a russian site (Rutsacker?) and that the master is before the clean-up and regrade. I only saw stills of this, though.

I believe Warner Bros 35mm negative scan was leaked on a russian site (Rutsacker?) and that the master is before the clean-up and regrade. I only saw stills of this, though.

A negative scan of Batman Returns? Or do you mean the NC-17 print scan of 1989? The latter is a very poor scan with crushed blacks and with a green tinge (the colour corrected attempt has a blue tinge, overcorrecting). A shame as a properly done scan of either film would be amazing.

StarmanSkywalker said:

I’d also love to have a somewhat de-tealed version of the two, especially Batman Returns, which from the print stills does have teal in it, but should also lean deep blue, sometimes bordering on slightly purple.

The flat open matte first trailer posted might serve as a good reference (and it features alternate shots and stuff you shouldn’t be seeing).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAvlA73XNUE

Also the final theatrical trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOLQfvp4aYI&list=PLDRH8owssg8H0YToSKVBIvg0qWaFAiB9l

So it seems the home releases prior to the 4K were turned a bit too neutral in its grade.

I believe Warner Bros 35mm negative scan was leaked on a russian site (Rutsacker?) and that the master is before the clean-up and regrade. I only saw stills of this, though.

Searched ‘Batman 35mm’ on rutracker. Nothing came up.