It’s been one of the funnier quotes from an actor I’ve seen recently, but I think it sums up very much the feeling towards one of DC’s premiere characters in cinematic format:
“If Robin crops up in one of the new Batman films, I’ll be chaining myself up somewhere and refusing to go to work.”
This comes from Christian Bale, the star of Batman Begins and its soon to be released sequel The Dark Knight.
And I couldn’t be further behind Bale on this one, despite my love for Dick Grayson and Robin.
However, the point that has to be made is that it is the comic version that people like, and the movie version that people have an issue with. Jeph Loeb, author of the fan-favorite Batman comic Dark Victory, came to The Boy Wonder’s defense.
“Take the time to tell the story properly,” he told
MTV News. “There is a story of Dick Grayson and how he becomes Robin that is extremely moving and very helpful.”
This is important, because the comic book Robin makes perfect sense, but could not be introduced into Christopher Nolan’s films anytime soon.
“I wouldn’t let him become Robin until the third act, if that. I think that’s the other problem when you tell that story is that there’s this rush to put him in a costume by the end of the first 20 minutes and in that case I think it’s a disaster.”
We know that Nolan and Bale are only in this for a trilogy, and apparently nothing will change Nolan’s mind on the matter. However, we’re not so sure about Bale’s commitment and he very well could be convinced of a Robin-involved movie for a fourth or fifth installment? Why do I say that? Because take a guess at what one of Bale’s favorite Batman comics is…
That’s right, it’s Dark Victory.
It’s funny to me the elitist attitude of such a star. He is spitting in the face of a legacy of writers and artists who poured a lot of effort into creating and continuing the Robin story in the comic books. To be so negative towards it, is just callous and shows a complete disregard to the source material.
creating and continuing the robin story? the story of a person that fans voted to DIE they loved so much?
if they include “robin” they should completely stick the robin persona, make the kid a little older, and go directly to nightwing, at least night wing would look at home in this new series….robin…not so much.
Introduce Dick Grayson for now in the third movie or even at the very end have Bruce taking someone to see the flying Graysons, he doesn’t even need to be Robin for a movie or two. He could be what he actually is…an orphan who batman/bruce wayne identifies with and takes him in because of it. This franchise needs to be treated like a long term one like James Bond. Think a little ahead. I know Nolan wants most of his loose ends tied up in each film because he don’t know if he’ll be back after each film. Nolan if we’re lucky will be back to do a third movie after that who knows who will take it over and where they’ll go with the story of batman
FYI: AICN said “the source is World Entertainment News Network aka WENN aka the highly unreliable gossip mongers who supply the IMDb with their steady stream of oft-debunked “scoops”…
In other words, there’s a good chance Bale never said this at all.
MajorJJH has it right; Robin works in comics but whenever he appears on screen the campness level jumps +300%. I would be fine with Dick Grayson apparing in a small role, almost as an easter egg.
Robin is my all time favorite character in DC. i get angry when people automatically dismiss this character when mention for an up coming movie. This is because Robin has been Stigmatized with a bad label from the past movies as well as people not understanding his background and importance to the story of Batman. Do your research he is a awesome character. Nevertheless these new movies have been based on the comics ”The Long Halloween and Dark Victory”. The origin of Robin sorta starts towards the end of Dark Victory which although he really doesn’t put on the costume until the very end, it still shows how he graduates to becoming The Robin as Batman’s partner. Dick Grayson has suffered a terrible lost just like batman, he is also very intelligent, cunning, and acrobatic from his circus life which is vital, believable, evidence to support his abilities to the duo team. If Nolan wanted to he can work his magic and make it his own as many of us have faith in him now.
(Quoted)”His parents…circus acrobats–had been murdered. And I saw myself in him… and wanted to make a difference in his life…”(Batman)
I don’t know why there so hesistant to use Robin, Robin can be pretty good if done well and I trust Nolan to make a realistic and kick-ass Robin, if they don’t have Robin they should at least have Dick Grayson. Just because Robin has been done badly in the past (extremley badly granted) doesn’t mean he cant be done good, he needs to be like 14-16, none of this 25 year old adopted Robin bullcrap, Robin represents the humanity of Batman, Batman has said before that if Robin wasn’t around he would be pretty much emotionless and too driven. That’s why Alfred likes him. But if they dont do Robin they should just have Dick Grayson take on an Oracle like role that would be bareable I guess.