Robin

[FireStormTrooper]

How long before Dick Grayson shows up in the new BATMAN movie franchise? I'm almost 100% the character WON'T even make a cameo appearance (or even be remotely referenced) in BATMAN BEGINS. But maybe Dick will show up in BATMAN 6? Will Robin be a major player by BATMAN 7? How old should Robin be when introduced? I know, this is at least three years away from being practically relevant, but still ... any thoughts?

[Znluvx]

Well, if BATMAN BEGINS is the first film in a retelling of the Batman mythos, I can definitely see Robin in the 3rd film.

But if Batman Begins is meant to be a continuation in the timeline of the established Batman film franshise (Batman--Batman Returns--Batman Forever--Batman and Robin), Robin has already been introduced. So if he is going to be seen in any new films, they would have to jump forward to a point after Bat&Rob.
Now if that is the case, I would love to see the "breakup" of the Dynamic Duo, and possibly a spinoff NIGHTWING movie.

[Sonic1002]

I can tell yyou, this is a restart. We're startinf rom scratch here, gentlemen and ladies.
I don't know who I'd want for Robin. None of the young actors really suit my tastes for Dick... I don't even know about Tim. Maybe I've just got a view in my mind of the characters... heh...

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Now comes the part where I relieve you, the little people, of the burden of your failed and useless lives. But remember, as my plastic surgeon always said: if you gotta go, go with a smile.
-Joker

[norrinraad]

I personally would rather not see Robin again in these new movies. I've read that Superman V will aknowledge the previous films' continuity but from all accounts this is a new beginning for Batman. There are so many great solo stories waiting to be told that I don't think it's necessary to bring Robin back into the mix. I personally would rather see Huntress if any supporting Batman family members have to be included.

Having said that, however, the Killing Joke storyline would be awesome onscreen... http://www.comics2film.com/UBB/biggrin.gif

[FireStormTrooper]

BATMAN BEGINS (BB1) is a completely new and seperate continuity from the previous Bat-flicks. The movie basically has carte blanche to rewrite over anything and everything that happened in the prior Batfilms.

The BATMAN BEGINS sequel (BB2) will almost certainly portray the Joker as the main villian in a brand new light. I'd suspect that Harvey Dent would be featured there, solely as the D.A. with a repressed side.

I don't see Dick Grayson making anything beyond a cameo appearance until BB3. The Robin saga really is a turning point for the Batman franchise. Bats loses a lot of his innate darkness once he starts toting around a sidekick. Plus, Two-Face would be the obvious villain-of-choice, and then WB runs the risk of remaking BATMAN FOREVER. Who wants that?

[The Xenos]

Well it seems we won't be getting Robin in a movie for a while. I think I could live with that.

Though in the mean time I'd love to see a jump to more recent coninuity with something with Nightwing. Something, most likly a movie, based on the early issues of his series by Chuck and Scott would be awesome. Nightwing moving out of Gotham and taking back the streets in his own city. Maybe even follow up with or use the Nightwing/Huntress mini by Devin K Grayson (y'know, back when she could write Nightwing). Those are still some of my favorite comics. Pretty damn good crime comics with a more down to earth vigilante feel. Heck, Nightwing might even make a good TV show, but after what they did to Birds of Prey, I hardly trust WB TV.

Now I believe people could handle a Nightwing movie even when Batman ones are still just starting. Not sure if the studio would ever do it, but I'd love to see it.

-Xenos

[imported_StormShadow]

While I would love to see Dick Grayson's origin on screen adapted well, I have to agree that it probably won't happen for at least two more movies.

I too think that Nightwing is probably the best suited DC property for TV. Nightwing has a bit more of an easily explained backstory than the Birds of Prey cast had, and I think he is a bit more of an identifiable character. The stunts would be fairly easy as well, and the budget for the series would definately be doable. I see this as almost a DareDevil for TV.

[yas3r]

I would have to agree with this one. Knightwing has it especially interesting as by day hes still fighting crime as a policeman, in a corrupt police force.

BOP tried to hard to feel like Buffy/Lois and Clark.

Knightwing should be brought together by people keeping an eye on what makes The Shield so watchable. It is a gritty undertaking that would be different and entertaining.

Any other creations from Batman universe should take a leaf out of Nolans book-keep it set in the real world, it always was.

Knightwing would also work in an interesting year one way as it is one of the only occurences of the sidekick being bestowed the chance of being main hero-how would someone cope with that having always lived in someone elses shadow?

How would it be to fight with Batman for years to get a job as a cop on a force you cant trust?

A very good idea that im surprised has only just appeared. Anyone else think so?

[FireStormTrooper]

It's "Nightwing", not "Knightwing". Yeah, it would be a promising series. But it would sound too much like a retread of the Birds of Prey debacle. In other words, it's been done. Just not well.

[The Xenos]

And defiantley not Nite-wing. Heh.

-Xenos

[yas3r]

well however its spelt, it wouldnt be like BOP as it shouldnt ideally be aimed at a family audience if it is to gain any respect. Nolan i'm sure isnt thinking about gettin all the kids into batman, and i think the mature route is the most respectful.

[yas3r]

Oh yeah, and if they do use robin...be faithful. Robin was always a small boy, that was the point.

Anyone who has read Dark Victory by Loeb/Sale will see that it can work this way. I just hope they design him in a way that allows for his removal in future stories.

Batman always works best on his own.

[FireStormTrooper]

What if they went straight to the Carrie Kelly Robin in the new Batman film franchise? Not to diss Dick or Tim, but let's face it, there's something ... less unnerving ... about a girl being in that colorful costume than a boy. I personally wouldn't have a problem with a female Robin as there has been already been a couple of them in the comics (Kelly in The Dark Knight Returns storyline and Spoiler in the recent issues).

[yas3r]

If they did it, it would have to be Dick Grayson.

I agree your point of the benefits of a lady in costume, and there is always something a little weird about having him there.

But this first film looks to be pretty faithful, they couldnt possibly make a decision that would ultimately displease a lot of people.

[FireStormTrooper]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that no Robin (of any type or sex) makes a movie appearance until the sequel to the sequel to BATMAN BEGINS at the earliest ("BB3"). Batman does work best as an utter loner, unless you want to go the opposite extreme and make Batman the ultimate surrogate family man.

Alfred Pennyworth (surrogate father)
Leslie Thompkins (surrogate mother)
Barbara Gordon (surrogate sister)
Selina Kyle (surrogate spouse)
Dick Grayson (surrogate son)
Tim Drake (surrogate son)
New Batgirl (surrogate daughter)

[yas3r]

very interesting....

i agree that it should be in batman 3 (or hopefully 4) and no sooner.

They should also attempt to give it a spin, so as not to have to have him as a permanent fixture. Maybe he could go to boarding school, and by the following chapter he has already evolved into nightwing.

Maybe get 'a death in the family' and the introduction of tim drake in the same film (it sounds like an interesting personal story arc for bruce, to run in conjunction with an inevitable attack on gotham by....hmm...lets say..mr freeze).

[FireStormTrooper]

I think the next three movies should be by the same director and feature Batman as a solo artist. No Robin. BB1 is the origin with Ra's and then the Scarecrow. BB2 is the reintro of the Joker (most likely). BB3 would probably further expand on that and introduce Dick Grayson and tie in his parent's murder to that movie's plot. The last shot of BB3 would be similar to BATMAN FOREVER, where we see a very young Robin silhouetted against the shadow of the Bat. But we never actually see Robin at all in those next three movies.

The next three Batman flicks after that would be all Robin all the time. BB4 - Batman & Robin but ends with Dick quitting. BB5 - Death in the family with Jason Todd. BB6 - Intro of Tim Drake.

[Captain Sigma]

It's such a tragedy that Joel Schmuckmaker had to get involve with the franchise because Robin wouldn't even be an issue if he hadn't.

For me, Robin is an important part of the Batman mythos and should be a part of the new series. I think Dick Grayson's parents buying the farm at the end of BB2 would be a good place to pick up the storyline in BB3.

At the beginning of BB3, you could have Dick (age 12 or 13) stumbling on to Bruce's secret life, taking the oath, constantly training (much to Alfred's dismay). Bruce leads him on and then tells him he was never going out to fight crime because it's too dangerous. Batman gets himself in a situation that he couldn't get out of alone (not like that crap from 'Batman Forever'), Dick remembers everything Bruce taught him and dons the Robin costume (the one thing I liked about 'Batman Forever' except for the nipples). Then the two issue an ass-kicking paycheck to the wrongdoers who put Batman in his problem. Bruce tells Dick he passed the test with flying colors. Dick tells Bruce he's a dick for putting him through all that, then asks if it was real. Bruce tells Dick only he and Alfred knew what was going on and everyone else (including Dick) had no idea what was happening (sort of like Jamie Kennedy).

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Tah dah!!!!
Captain Sigma

[This message has been edited by Captain Sigma (edited 11-01-2004).]

[FireStormTrooper]

I think that the last two Batman movies turned off audiences to the idea of a big-screen Robin for a while. That's why I think the Christian Bale Era of Batman will be Robin-free. He'll probably do three (max) movies of the Dark Knight, none of them featuring the Boy Wonder and then pass the mantle onto someone else.

That someone won't play a young Batman as he's starting out, but a full-grown adult in the prime of his career. The Actor Who Plays The Next Batman could do another three movies, all of them featuring Robin.
1. Intro to Dick Grayson
2. Intro to Jason Todd (and then A Death In The Family)
3. Intro to Tim Drake