HOLLYWOOD, CA – NOVEMBER 12: Matt Reeves attends ‘On Acting: Andy Serkis’ at AFI FEST 2017 Presented By Audi at TCL Chinese 6 Theatres on November 12, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for AFI), Batman
Matt Reeves confirmed that his Batman won’t be another origin story for Bruce Wayne but it will be an emotional one. Could we finally see Robin in the DCEU?
There has been confusion and convolution surrounding the DCEU’s Batman since Matt Reeves signed on to direct. We have yet to get confirmation on whether Ben Affleck’s Batman still exists. Additionally, it’s unclear whether or not Reeves’ The Batman will serve as a reboot or a prequel to the current DCEU Batman.
There’s a current universe being built within the DCEU that directly links to the Caped Crusader despite not have production date for Reeves’ film. What we do know is that Reeves still in ongoing talks with Affleck and he expects a Batman script in two weeks. While there hasn’t been any confirmation on a specific story we can eliminate at least one Batman comic from the equation. Matt Reeves told Deadline that Batman will not be another Year One story.
"“I’m just excited to be focused on a tale that’s defying for him (Batman) and is very personal to him, but at the same time, we’re really–obviously we’re not doing any origin tales or anything like that.”"
Fans have speculated for some time about which Batman story Reeves film would tell. With Batman: Year One out of the equation there are other stories that feature a young emotional Bruce Wayne. In fact, we think his Batman film will undoubtedly feature Robin one way or another — here’s why.
Credit DC Comics
Robin exposes Bruce Wayne’s emotions and highlights his detective skills
Reeves expressed wanting to focus on a different more emotional Batman. There are quite a few Robins most of which pulled on Bruce Wayne’s emotional strings. No matter which Robin we talk about, all of them affect Bruce in one way or another. Moreover, each kid that dawned the Robin attire forced Bruce to be more than just Batman. In the current DCEU timeline, we saw the emotional wreck Bruce becomes after losing one of his own. In Dawn of Justice, Bruce Wayne is seen brimming with violent vicious tendencies seemingly after Joker murdered Robin.
Since Reeves plans to truly expose the emotional side of Batman — there’s arguably no better to accomplish that than to feature Robin. Additionally, Robin does allow for something that Reeves has been adamant about. From the beginning, Reeves expressed his intent to make Batman a “noir-driven” film. Matt Reeves expressed wanting to tap into Batman’s detective skills more so than we’ve seen in recent history. Deadline reports that Reeves’ film is forced to dive deep into the exploration of Gotham.
"“Reeves’ Batman will be completely separate from Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight universe yet will still be “noir-driven in which Batman is investigating a particular case that takes us out into the world of Gotham”. Reeves said he did “a deep dive” reading his favorite Batman comics to inform his creative process, but didn’t want to name specific titles.”"
Featuring Robin forces Batman to do just that. Whether it’s using Jason Todd, Dick Grayson, or Tim Drake, Batman is more than a brute hero. Each sidekick has their own story, that allows Batman’s moniker to ring true as the world’s greatest detective.
Credit DC Comics
There a few Robin stories that make sense
The latest Robin is Damian Wayne, his biological son with Talia al Ghul. There’s no bond like a father and son bond — something that DC Rebirth understands. Matt Reeves could opt to focus on Damian Wayne for a couple of reasons.
For starters, he immediately forces Bruce to become a father after being dropped on his doorstep for safety reasons. Secondly, the inclusion of Damien will open up the door for Ben Affleck to return as an older Batman. However, with rumors suggesting that Reeves Batman could be a prequel and the on again off again story with Batfleck Damien can be eliminated.
Tim Drake is a possibility. Although not originally orphaned in the way that his predecessors were his parents died later on his origin story — after being poisoned. Tim does something not many DC Comic characters have been able to do. He uncovers the identity of Batman and Robin.
After seeing Batman become an emotional wreck post-Jason Todd’s death, he offers his services as Robin. Bruce reluctantly agreed but forces Tim to endure brutal training before he becomes Robin. He proves his worth after saving Batman from Scarecrow. Like Damien, Tim’s story focuses on an older version of Bruce.
Credit DC Comics
Jason Todd, the second Robin
There’s Jason Todd who takes the mantle as Robin after Dick Grayson quits. Batman caught him stealing tires off the Bat-mobile and took him in under his wing in an effort to keep him off the street. Jason was the most brutal Robin, not including Damian and the least skilled fighter. The latter his why he was able to be captured and beaten to death by the Joker in A Death in a Family.
Still, Jason’s history as Robin leaves a lot of creative freedom for Reeves to explore. We could get a fresh take on their relationship and why his death affected Bruce so much. For Reeves, he could give us a special glimpse into a story that follows Bruce making up for mistakes he made with Dick. While also telling a compelling story, one that sees Batman as more of a detective.
However, the Jason Todd story that makes the most sense, one that fans have begged for is Under the Hood. More specifically a live-action adaption of Batman: Under the Red Hood. The story that forces Batman to go full on detective as he struggles to uncover the identity of the new crime lord in Gotham.
Clues are laid out for him throughout the series that finally leads him to uncover the resurrection of Jason Todd. This story could be the DCEU’s equivalent to Winter Soldier as it well truly capture Batman in his most vulnerable state.
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Dick Grayson, the first Robin
Finally, we have Dick Grayson the very first Robin and the worlds greatest sidekick. The popularity of Dick Grayson as Robin can’t be overstated. Unfortunately, we have yet to see a true depiction of his story on the big screen. The DC Universe series Titans and the rumored DCEU project, Nightwing will give fans a look at life after Gotham City’s hero.
So, why can’t the DCEU give us a look at who he was before? Moreover, recent rumors reported that Reeves’ film would draw inspiration from a Frank Miller story and we know it won’t be Year One. We also can conclude that it will not mimic Chris Nolan by adopting The Dark Knight Returns. Nevertheless, a Frank Miller story Reeves can adopt is All-Star Batman and Robin, the Boy Wonder.
Furthermore, Reeves pointed out the vast studying of his favorite comics and there’s no doubt Robin Year One was one of them. Combining those two stories would give Reeves a chance to allow Batman to be a detective — trying to solve the murders of Dick Grayson’s parents. Meanwhile, Bruce decides to take Dick in and while he isn’t the ideal role model they do develop a father-son bond. It’s the ideal tale that gives us a look at all that Batman has to offer.
Credit DC Comics
Didn’t deny Robin being involved
Matt Reeves has kept his development of Batman covert and understandably so. The DCEU is trying to turn things around under Walter Hamada but Reeves understands the importance of continuity. Robin has technically already been established in the DCEU with Dawn of Justice. While Zack Snyder no longer has anything to with the universe the fact remains. We believe Matt Reeves will right the wrongs and connect the dots by depicting Robin on the big screen.
"“There’s ways in which this connects to the DC universe as well and we’re one of many pieces.”"
As a matter of fact, Matt Reeves didn’t deny Robin being part of the film, instead choosing to not comment. So, we’ll hand out hats on that. Moreover, we have yet to see an accurate depiction the greatest comic book duo off all-time and the DCEU is the perfect time to make it happen. Robin allows for Bruce Wayne to be emotional, vulnerable, and the worlds greatest detective.
Reeves wants production to start in the summer or fall of next year. As we impatiently wait for some concrete info to drop we’ll continue to speculate. Do you think Matt Reeves’ film should feature Robin? If so who which Robin do you want to see depicted on the big screen?