Flashback: George Clooney’s Gold Coast holiday for Batman and Robin’s Movie World premiere

LOVING the sight of Aquaman’s stars soaking up the Gold Coast’s best? Flashback 20 years to another group of superhero stars hitting the Glitter Strip, including superstar George Clooney.

June 1997: Warner Bros, Movie World, Gold Coast hosted the Australasian Premiere of Batman & Robin with stars George Clooney, Alicia Silverstone, Elle MacPherson & Director Joel Schumacher. Pic Paul Broben.

THE Gold Coast has been known as Australia’s answer to Hollywood for more than 25 years but we have always loved star spotting.

With Aquaman’s filming underway, locals are getting the chance to capture glimpses of the DC superhero epic’s stars Jason Momoa, Willem Dafoe and Amber Heard soaking up all the best the city has to offer.

It was 20 years ago this month that the Gold Coast enjoyed a blast of star power as the leads from another DC film made their grand appearance.

George Clooney meets Daffy Duck.

It was June 1997 — The UK was just weeks away from handing over Hong Kong to China, Super League’s lone season was in full play and Wayne Goss announced plans to run for Federal Parliament.

Cinemas, including the new theatre at Pacific Fair, were packed with hits including Liar Liar, Volcano, The Beautician and the Beast and Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion.

But these were all predicted to be small fry compared to that year’s superhero blockbuster, Batman and Robin.

Actor George Clooney & girlfriend Celine Balitran arrive at Gold Coast on the eve of Australian premiere of his new Batman film.

While critics now universally regard it to be among the worst films every made, Gold Coasters were looking forward to it.

And even more exciting was the arrival of stars George Clooney, Alicia Silverstone and Elle McPherson, along with director Joel Schumacher.

All flew into Coolangatta on the same plane but took separate limos to the Sheraton Mirage at Main Beach.

Clooney, who was to walk the red carpet at Movie World for the Australasian premiere.

Actor George Clooney on basketball court at Sheraton Mirage.

The Bulletin’s editorial of the day declared that the launch of the film in the city was indicative of the “respect for the role played by the coast industry and what it is achieving”.

Clooney, who this week became a father with his wife Amal, walked the red carpet with then girlfriend Celine Balitran.

During his time on the Coast, Clooney was photographed playing basketball at the Mirage and relaxing.

Clooney meeting with adoring fans

There were later reports that Clooney was looking to buy property here on the Gold Coast.

Speculation was kicked off after he and Balitran were spotted cruising the city in a limousine, allegedly looking at real estate.

The report claimed the pair had risen early to inspect potential properties.

Clooney responded to the reports with laughter.

The premiere was a success, the film was not.

“Everyone’s been telling me that. I just found out,” he joked to the Bulletin.

“You’ve got a good deal? I’m buying a house on the Gold Coast, congratulate me.

“Sure it’s beachfront, in fact I’ve only been here two days, now that’s fast.

“You know what I did? I flew over and pointed at a house and then moved down.

“You know I’ve got to have that house.”

Clooney wrapped up his visit to the Gold Coast by cutting the ribbon at the opening of the new Warner Bros store at Pacific Fair, which had recently finished a major expansion.

The shop closed in the mid-2000s.

Clooney had fun on the red carpet.