When Batman: Mask of the Phantasm was in production, executives at Warner Bros. asked to see an early cut of the film. Upon viewing it, they suggested that the film be presented in chronological order, meaning there'd be no flashbacks and the film would play out straight through from the earliest events depicted in the flashbacks right up to the end. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm would end as it does in the final cut, but all of the flashbacks would unfold in order even before the film reaches the 'present day' setting of the film. Alan Burnett said executives were worried the audiences might find the film's time-hopping too confusing. The idea was fortunately scrapped after the creative team showcased how detrimental that would be to the film's key plot, the mysterious identity of the Phantasm.