The CW Wants to Tell Robin’s Story
Ever since The Dark Knight, people have been speculating whether or not there is room for Robin in Christopher Nolan’s Gotham. Back in July, I wrote this:
So far, it doesn’t look as if Robin will appear in Nolan’s Gotham anytime soon. Can he modify the brightly colored costume to fit into a world of grays and blacks? Will the vigilante crimefighter ever work with a partner?
More importantly, will the hardcore fans ever completely accept a Robin-free Gotham?
It will be a challenge - but no more of a challenge than it would be to fit The Penguin, Catwoman, or some of the other improbable and unrealistic legends of the Batman universe. Nolan can’t ignore them forever.
Now, it looks like Robin is coming back from a Schumacher-enduced coma - but in what form?
The CW, long known for its modern take on young Superman with Smallville, has ordered a pilot for a new show called “The Graysons,” which is made by some of the same producers. As the name suggests, the show would revolve around a young Dick Grayson and his family before Dick became Robin, the Boy Wonder.
“The Graysons” is seen as a potential replacement for “Smallville” should that show end its run this season, which has been speculated. Should “Smallville” return next year, “The Graysons” might also make a strong companion piece.
CW insiders said they also see the “Graysons” development as a validating gesture by Warner Bros. that the company is still behind its 50% investment in the netlet, particularly following this fall’s strong openings for “Gossip Girl” and newbie “90210.” They believe the studio wouldn’t risk bringing one of its prized franchises to CW if it believed the net was in dire straits.
But how will a modern show cope with a guy named Dick? Easy. He’ll be known as “DJ.”
What do you mean, “Spider-Man already did it?” SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP.
It’s possible that “The Graysons” will pave the way for a Robin in the next Batman film - or it may preclude him. But Smallville didn’t have much of an effect on Superman Returns, so maybe plans won’t change at all.
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