TheDC Universelooks to have faith in the character of Robin, with the hero set to be a major part ofthe story ofThe Brave and the BoldandDynamic Duoafter years of avoiding his use in Batman stories on the big screen.Everything known aboutDynamic Duosuggests thatthe roster of Boy Wonders in the DCU will continue to grow.This follows several years of darker, more dour takes on the Batman mythos in films by Christopher Nolan, Zack Snyder, and Matt Reeves and may suggest a hopeful tone for the franchise moving forward.
Thenewest Batman show introduced four Robins, and this felt true to the Batman character and his world.The character of Robin has been an important part of the Batman mythos since he was first introduced in 1940.Robin has had many iterations through the years, but they all tend to share an important relationship with Bruce Wayne and Batman. Robin allows for a different kind of Batman story to be told, and there is some hope with new announcements that this may be a focus for the character in the DCU.
Batman Movies Have Ignored Robin For Too Long
A Costumed Robin Has Not Appeared In Live-Action Film Since Batman & Robin
Robin has had some presence in DC’s theatrically released movies over the years, although not nearly enough.The character was alluded to inThe Dark Knight Rises, and featured prominently inThe LEGO Batman Movie.However,Batman is DC’s most profitable character, and finding places to expand his world should be important to the DC franchise. While there has been some stigma attached to the Bat-family following its appearance inBatman & Robin,there is much to mine from excellent Robin stories throughout DC’s long and storied comics history.
The character nearly appeared inBatman Returns,played by Marlon Wayans, but this did not make the final film. Instead,the only major iteration of the hero on the big screen in live-action was played by Chris O’Donnell in the decidedly campyBatman ForeverandBatman & Robin.Since then, the sidekick has only been alluded to, including in a Jason Todd costume being shown inBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Following this, Robin is overdue to make an impact in the DCU.
The DCU Era Already Has 3 Robins
The Brave And The Bold And Dynamic Duo Are Confirmed For The DCU
The DCU is expected to shake up the entire comic book movie landscape when it launches, and it seems that plans are set to integrate Robin into the universe’s stories.Fan-casting ofThe Brave and the Boldshows thatthere is already excitement for Damian Wayne to appear in the universe. Following this, the recent announcement ofDynamic Duoindicates further that Robin will be a focus for the franchise, with both Jason Todd and Dick Grayson set to appear in the film.
With three Robins already confirmed for upcoming theatrical releases, focus is on the Robin mantle now more than ever in this field.Seeing each of these characters taking on evolved and complex roles that lead them down different and distinct roles despite their shared sidekick history is an exciting concept. However, there seems to be one small hole in the Robin narrative yet to be seen.
DC’s Dynamic Duo Movie Announcement Makes It Seem More Likely Tim Drake Is In Teen Titans
Tim Drake’s Robin Is The Most Popular Iteration Not Yet Confirmed For The DCU
With many DCU projects not yet officially announced, it still seems that aTeen Titansmovie is in development, and this would be the perfect place to include Tim Drake’s Robin.While the DCU does not have to follow the comics' continuity exactly, it feels strange to leave out Tim Drake’s iteration of the hero from upcoming releases entirely, as this would mean leaving out the third Robin during this time despite including the first, second, and fourth. With unique style and substance, Tim Drake could be a popular hero in the franchise and would make sense inTeen Titans.
Whether as Robin, Red Robin, or someone else entirely, Tim Drake being the next Robin to be announced for the overarching franchise seems inevitable.He has distinct features from the rest of his team, and is perhaps the brightest version of the character in the universe. This could lead to a fun and accessible tone for theTeen Titansmovie, which could also feature Jason Todd or Dick Grayson, depending on their ages and stages in their careers.
It is incredibly exciting to know that Robin will be an important part of the DCU moving forward. After being underutilized for so long,it appears that the extensive comic book history of the character will finally be acknowledged in this new era. Doing this will allow for a different kind of Batman that stands apart from the previous iterations while building a fun and compellingDC Universethat will hopefully persist for many years to come.
DC Universe
The DC Universe is one of the biggest comic book franchises and often competes with Marvel. DC Comics started as National Allied Publications, founded by Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson in 1935. Since then, the franchise has exploded with thousands of comic books, movies, TV shows, and video games. 2013 marked the beginning of the most recent iteration of the superheroes, with Zack Snyder introducing Henry Cavill as Superman. After several movies with mixed reviews, DC underwent a soft reboot under the helm of James Gunn and Peter Safran.
