The idea came to me, like all great ideas. In the bathroom. A shared DC universe in film. The flaws of "The Dark Knight Rises." How to make a Batman movie that feels new and fresh, sticks to the core of the characters and the universe, and still make it accessible to the non-fan.
Holy afterthought Batman! What about a Batman and Robin movie!?!?!
I know, I know. Batman is gay, peter pan boots, yada, yada, yada. I've been kicking this around for a few days and I think it could be done well. Let me tell you why.
After reading Tainted87's outstanding article "The Seven Essential Deadly Sins and Virtues of CBMs," (and you really, really do need to check it out - http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/DanMiller/news/?a=65607) it occurred to me to use some of the points he made in reference to a Batman and Robin movie, how some these concepts can be used well, and things that should be avoided.
Origins - The end of the beginnings
We know the origin of Batman. My mother knows the origin of Batman. Monks who have taken a vow of silence in Tibet, know the origin of Batman. Do we really need another origin story? Not just for Batman, for any CBM for that matter? These properties have over 50 years of history, a history rich with characters, locales, villains, and personalities. In that entire history, why do we keep telling the same stories over and over? If we are going to tell an origin story for our hypothetical film, let's tell the origin of Robin. This serves a two fold purpose.
1. It allows the Batman to remain as something of a myth. Remember, Batman is supposed to be this larger than life, urban legend. The boogeyman for criminals in this cesspool of a city. Not rehashing his origin again will allow him to be somewhat shrouded in mystery to the audience and the other characters in the film. It could also be used to keep the Batman persona and the Bruce Wayne persona separate, making for some interesting suspense.
2. Telling the origin for Robin, this young, 15-16 year old kid, who loses everything, allows our film to develop on an emotional level, without forcing that onto the Batman character. Nobody likes mopey Batman. Which brings me to my second point.
The Human Connection and THE END of the Love Interest - In praise of Richard Grayson and Leslie Thompkins.
Directors love for their heroes to have a love interest. It gives the hero motivation, someone to protect, and gives them the opportunity to share a softer side of the hero with the audience. This is fine for most CBM's. Peter Parker needs his MJ or Gwen, Clark needs his Lois. I get it, but giving Batman a love interest in the movies has always seemed contrived. Batman is a tragic figure. He's never going to get the girl and retire to the country. I've mentioned this in other articles, but Batman does not quit or retire. He's obsessed with being Batman.
So, instead of romantic love, what if we focus our hypothetical movie on paternal love? We introduce a young Richard Grayson, an acrobat and martial artist with a loving family of circus performers visiting Gotham. We see the relationship between father, mother and son, as they teach, guide, and protect. We see tragedy befall this child and the need to do something, anything, to make this right. We see the relationship between Bruce Wayne and Leslie Thompkins as they try to help this boy who has lost everything. We see the father and son relationship between Batman and Robin, the mentoring and guidance, to keep this driven young man from being consumed by the darkness that Batman is so engulfed by.
Sharing the Universe - Batman doesn't have friends
The last point that I want to make is (and honestly, I'm not a writer. I'm tired of writing, so let's just argue about it in the comments,) that Batman is not a trusting person, but Dick Grayson is. Our youthful adventurer will not only be the foil for exposition, but the eyes of the viewer who can see the DC universe unfold on the big screen. Batman would not be excited about meeting Superman, but Robin would. Robin would blush meeting Wonder Woman, make jokes with the Flash (Wally, not Barry), and tease Green Lantern (heh, rube). Introducing Robin into the Batman franchise allows for both characters to grow onscreen, without relying on the contrived and boring storytelling we've seen in the past.
So in summation, here is the quick list for a good Batman and Robin movie.
1. Grayson needs to be young enough to need a father figure but mature enough to be taken seriously. (Think Harry Potter.)Don't make him oblivious. He should already suspect that Bruce is Batman, but he is focused on finding Zucco.
2. Use the parallel of their shared tragedies as emotional development, but only in relationship to their secret identities. Bruce wants to protect him , while Batman wants to avenge him.
3. Keep Batman mythic for the first half and separate from Bruce Wayne. Eyes and ears shrouded in shadow. A silhouette that drops down from the darkness.
4. Use the Tim Drake outfit. You can use the peter pan outfit as part of the circus costume, but the Tim Drake costume will translate better to the screen
So be honest...Think it would work? Would you go see it? Tell me your thoughts!