The Batman: 4 ways Matt Reeves can make his trilogy feel fresh

Credit: DC Comics The Bat-Family

3. Comic Book’s Number One Sidekick

To say we haven’t seen Dick Grayson and/or Robin on the big-screen is dismissive. There are actors who either played Robin or some form of the hero. The first was Burt Ward in 1966’s Batman: The Movie. 31years later, Chris O’Donnell played Robin in Joel Schumacher’s, Batman Forever, and again in Batman & Robin.

Ward’s portrayal of Robin was great for what it was. He was the first to dawn the old-school classic digs in campy classic. O’Donnell did his best in a film that featured both Robin and Batgirl. Unfortunately, Batman Forever didn’t do him justice and Batman & Robin left a bad taste in everyone’s mouths.

Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises teased Robin with Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s original character, John Blake. Other than his looks, and his “real name” being Robin, nothing else about Gordon-Levitts’ John Blake was Dick Grayson like. Although, there was a cool scene where Blake presumably takes on the mantle of the Dark Knight.

So it’s safe to say fans are thirsting to see Robin in a Batman film. With the rumors flying around, it does appear that we’ll see Dick Grayson make his highly anticipated return. Forbes’ Mark Huges recently spoke on the possibility of a new Robin:

"“I was told months ago that Penguin, Riddler, and possibly Catwoman are expected to appear, as well as other rogues and mobsters — and additional characters including Commissioner Gordon, Alfred, and potentially Robin, we should be hearing additional casting information soon.”"

With Reeves’ script set for a noir-film feel, introducing Robin is an easy feat. In fact, Bam Smack Pow previously explored how Reeves could make this happen. Of course, it doesn’t stop at Dick Grayson, as there’s an entire Bat-family waiting for some screen time — if Reeves dares to be ambitious.

There’s Jason Todd, Tim Drake, and Stephanie Brown. Barbra Gordon is expected to make her DCEU appearance soon, and what better way to introduce Batgirl than a prequel Batman film that predates Birds of Prey? Just by adding Robin, specifically Dick Grayson into the mix, Reeves separates his Batman from all the others, but it isn’t enough.