On a listserv that I frequent, someone raised the question of whether a future Batman movie should include the Boy Wonder. This concept was botched big time in the version with George Clooney and Chris O'Donnell, so I doubt another filmmaker will try it anytime soon. But what about the small screen? As I've said before, Robin is a compelling character with a rich history, one you don't have to be a huge fan to appreciate.
Think about it: The first Robin, Dick Grayson, is an acrobat with a tragic past (parents killed in Mob-conceived trapeze "accident") who ends up in the world's toughest internship program. His guardian is an obsessed billionaire who is still exorcising his own demons, and who thinks dodging bullets is good therapy for a grieving teenager. And unlike Jason Todd and Tim Drake after him, Grayson has no template to follow, no youthful mentor to advise him about the complications of working for Batman. You could argue that Alfred is the only sane adult in his life. That's good storytelling material right there. The series could simply end in four years as Dick finishes high school and becomes Nightwing. The only thing I'm not sure of is how you'd handle the necessary Batman cameos, but I'm sure an enterprising screen writer could figure that out.
I don't know why Hollywood doesn't just ask me to do everything.
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