In 1997, Batman and Robin was released and became one of the most infamous comic book movies, being a critical catastrophe and domestic box office disappointment. Ever since, there has been a sentiment that Robin did not fit with a darker Batman, and that he was a relic of the goofier side of the superhero. Even when he nominally appeared in The Dark Knight Rises, it was as mostly an homage than as an actual sidekick.

This fear of Robin ruining Batman is unfortunate because it is rather unfounded. Throughout DC Comics, Robin complements Batman and adds an important foil to him. What’s more, the various Robins through the ages all bring something different to the table. In the years since the character’s inception, many people have donned the mantle of Robin. Indeed, Robins also make for an interesting character in their own right, often having their own internal storylines or arcs.

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There’s some speculation that Robin’s return to Batman films is already in the works, with Matt Reeves suggesting the possibility that audiences may see the character appear in The Batman 2. However, “maybe” isn’t good enough: Robin has been sidelined for too long, and he needs to appear in a movie. There is a lot of potential for Robin in a live-action setting. Given the many Robins that have been sidekicks to the Caped Crusader, this article will outline some possible candidates for the position and what they could bring to Reeves’ version of Gotham and Batman alike.

A Robin Who is Darker Than Batman: Jason Todd

     Via DC Comics

Those who fear that introducing Robin would shift the dark tone of Batman are likely not well acquainted with the story of Jason Todd. The second Robin, Todd was a more aggressive alternative to the mainstay Dick Grayson, who was killed by the Joker in an infamous fan event, per Games Rader, where fans voted on whether the Robin would survive. Robin died, being beaten to death with a crowbar, but then was resurrected and donned a new persona as the Red Hood. Under his new name, he began killing criminals, violating Bruce’s code against killing.

The introduction of Jason Todd would give The Batman 2 the chance to explore the tragedy of losing a member of the family for Batman. The Caped Crusader is often a surrogate father of sorts to the many Robins, usually adopting them into the Wayne family directly. Killing Jason in a movie would truly be an emotional blow to Batman that would be compounded many times over when he returns as the Red Hood. There’s also the possibility of using the Red Hood as the main villain in a movie — which would be a major pivot from the usual characters we’ve seen time and again on-screen — and then revealing that he is the presumed dead Jason Todd throughout through flashbacks and detective work.

Ultimately, Jason, as a character, represents a fiery temper that acts as a foil to Batman’s cool professionalism. His presence as a Robin would challenge Batman as the two would butt heads as Jason becomes more violent. As the Red Hood, he could challenge The Dark Knight’s refusal to kill his villains, presenting a dark mirror of a Batman who does not have any mercy.

A Robin Who Challenges Batman: Damien Wayne

All the Robins present the challenge of parenthood to Batman, but few do so in such a dramatic way as Damien. The son of Bruce Wayne and Talia Al Ghul, Damien has spent most of his life, before finding his father, training with the League of Shadows. Damien is a cocky, selfish, and often callous young kid. Rather than coming to Batman as a mostly-raw prospect with talent that he has to hone, like Grayson, Damien comes with lessons he has to unlearn. Like Todd, he is potentially more violent than Batman, but it’s due to ruthless assassin training rather than aggression.

Damien would be a controversial choice. Fans tend to find his personality grating, as outlined by CBR, and dismiss him as spoiled, however, it could be argued that it makes him a more challenging Robin for Batman. Bruce would have to teach Damien to balance some of his worst traits, with the young sidekick always presenting the danger of going back to the League of Shadows or their ways.

One other thing that serves as a mark against Damien is his age. He is the youngest of the Robins and that lack of age, it could be argued, would tip the tone towards the goofy and somewhat unrealistic reputation Robin has sometimes in the comics. Not to mention the fact that The Batman showed Bruce Wayne in only his second year as The Dark Knight, so you may still be too young to have unknowingly fathered a son.

A Robin Who Humanizes Batman: Dick Grayson or Tim Drake

     DC Comics

The other Robins are inevitably compared to Grayson, and with good reason. Dick Grayson is the first Robin, adopted by Bruce Wayne after his parents’ deaths at the hand of a mob hit during their gymnastic act. Bruce let Dick become Robin and trained him with some of his fighting ability and skills, to the point where Dick was able to have his own career as the superhero Nightwing. Tim Drake was found in a similar way, but he was found after the death of Jason Todd.

Dick Grayson is unique in the Robins discussed in this article so far, as he presents a chance to humanize Batman rather than to challenge him. Dick is still a foil to Batman, but rather than being the opposite of his control and mercy, he is instead someone who can push Batman to be a better person. Tim Drake, another Robin, can also provide a similar role to Batman as a conscience or a positive influence. Tim would also be a good choice due to the fact that he would act as a good influence after the death of Jason Todd, whose murder would strongly affect Batman. Dick Grayson, on the other hand, could present a good choice as he also has a solo career as Nightwing that can fuel other movies.

People forget that in darker stories, sometimes it is necessary to have rays of light or hope. This is why Robin exists, to balance the brooding and dark Batman out. Tim Drake’s positive attitude and Grayson’s unflappable snark would both give needed contrast in The Batman 2, a franchise that has proven, with The Batman, to have created an even grittier version of Bruce’s world. These Robins also can also have friction with Batman, with Dick especially often having to deal with Batman’s core unwillingness to fully trust others. In a darker story, one way to up the stakes or to have drama is to force something dark upon characters who are rays of light or otherwise hopeful.