Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito certainly did not disappoint when they reunited on stage at the 96th Academy Awards.
Almost four decades after they first shared screen space as the unlikely yet iconic brothers in the film ‘Twins,’ the duo came back together onstage at the 2024 Oscars to present the awards for Visual Effects and Film Editing. Arnold and Danny also used the opportunity to reminisce about their villainous roles in Batman.
“Well, Arnold and I are presenting tonight together for a very obvious reason,” Danny said.
“We both tried to kill Batman,” Arnold dropped the punchline with impeccable timing, causing an eruption of laughter from the audience.
The pair took a nostalgic dive and reminded the audience about their roles as Gotham’s adversaries. Danny had taken on the role of the Penguin, clashing with Michael Keaton’s Batman. Schwarzenegger, on the other hand, portrayed the villainous Mr. Freeze, who went up against George Clooney’s Batman in “Batman and Robin.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito turned back time with their reunion at the Oscars
During their Oscars bit, Arnold and Danny humorously mentioned how their characters were bested by Batman.
“How did Batman beat you?” Danny asked.
Arnold recalled how Mr. Freeze’s single vulnerability of his undying love for his wife was used against him.
“He used my one weakness against me,” Arnold said.
“Heat?” Danny asked.
“Love,” Arnold replied.
“Oh,” Danny replied and dryly added, “He threw me out a window.”
The pair poked fun at Michael Keaton during the playful banter
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito “call out” Michael Keaton at the Academy Awards for defeating them as Batman. #Oscars #Oscars2024 pic.twitter.com/eeXXSwjKMR
— Bam Smack Pow (@BamSmackPow) March 11, 2024
In an unexpected twist, Danny pointed out to Michael Keaton, who was sitting in the audience.
“He’s here. There he is. He’s right here … ” Danny said, gesturing towards the very actor who donned the Batman cape against him.
“You have a lot of nerve to show your face around here,” Arnold joked.
The camera captured a snarly-faced Michael as the crowd laughed at Arnold and Danny’s playful exchange.
“We’ll see you after the Governor’s Ball! Pal!” Danny said.
Watch the comedic crossfire that took place with the three actors below
Viewers were delighted by Arnold and Danny’s Oscars bit, finding their playful banter and nostalgic references a highlight of the evening.
“This is my favorite part of the show so far,” read one comment on YouTube, while another added, “I swear this was the best part of the show, I love when they do these nostalgic bits.”
“I never thought I [would] see the day two former Batman villains took the stage and discuss how they were defeated by him. And Micheal Keaton was like, ‘Bring in on,'” added another.
Praise also poured in for Michael playing along and staying true to his character.
“Keaton showing why he’s the best Batman with just the eyes alone,” read one comment, while another chimed in, “Keaton turned on his Batman face to not laugh.”
“Keaton deserves an award for that snear alone! Great actor!” one Facebook user wrote.
The nominees and winners of some of the 96th Academy Awards categories:
Best picture:
Winner: Oppenheimer
American Fiction
Anatomy of a Fall
Barbie
The Holdovers
Killers of the Flower Moon
Maestro
Past Lives
Poor Things
The Zone of Interest
Best actress:
Winner: Emma Stone – Poor Things
Annette Bening – Nyad
Lily Gladstone – Killers of the Flower Moon
Sandra Huller – Anatomy of a Fall
Carey Mulligan – Maestro
Best actor:
Winner: Cillian Murphy – Oppenheimer
Bradley Cooper – Maestro
Colman Domingo – Rustin
Paul Giamatti – The Holdovers
Jeffrey Wright – American Fiction
Best supporting actress:
Winner: Da’Vine Joy Randolph – The Holdovers
Emily Blunt – Oppenheimer
Danielle Brooks – The Color Purple
America Ferrera – Barbie
Jodie Foster – Nyad
Best supporting actor:
Winner: Robert Downey Jr – Oppenheimer
Sterling K Brown – American Fiction
Robert De Niro – Killers of the Flower Moon
Ryan Gosling – Barbie
Mark Ruffalo – Poor Things
Best director:
Winner: Oppenheimer – Christopher Nolan
Anatomy of a Fall – Justine Triet
Killers of the Flower Moon – Martin Scorsese
Poor Things – Yorgos Lanthimos
The Zone of Interest – Jonathan Glazer
Best original song:
What Was I Made For? – Barbie (Billie Eilish, Finneas O’Connell)
The Fire Inside – Flamin’ Hot (Diane Warren)
I’m Just Ken – Barbie (Mark Ronson, Andrew Wyatt)
It Never Went Away – American Symphony (Jon Batiste, Dan Wilson)
Wahzhazhe (A Song For My People) – Killers of the Flower Moon (Scott George)
