Summary
The Dark Knight 4never happened, but it would have delivered a unique take on Robin if it continued from the trilogy’s end. WhileThe Dark Knight Riseswas the concluding chapter of Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, it left DC viewers on an epic cliffhanger. Not only was Bruce Wayne still alive, but Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s John Blake discovered the Batcave right after the reveal thatJohn’s real name was Robin. Batman was no more, but John Blake could continue the legacy started by Bruce Wayne so that Gotham would always have a defender.
Unfortunately, this was theend ofThe Dark Knighttrilogy, and Gordon-Levitt never debuted as Robin. However, ifThe Dark Knight 4did happen, it would have given audiences a darker version of Robin, rather than the tight-wearing, quippy sidekick viewers are accustomed to seeing in Batman movies. Robin hasn’t been treated seriously in a live-action Batman movie yet, and this could have been an intriguing first in the franchise’s history.
The Dark Knight 4: 3 Things That Would Need to Be Included in the Sequel
The Dark Knight 4 is very unlikely to happen, but if it does, the Batman sequel must include these three things.
The Dark Knight 4 Would’ve Made A Version Of Robin Batman Movies Have Never Seen
Robin has only been featured in two live-action Batman movies:Batman ForeverandBatman & Robin, played by Chris O’Donnell. The other theatrical release he was in wasThe Lego Batman Movie, voiced by Michael Cera. Both versions were more lighthearted and goofy, with O’Donnell’s version fitting the campy vibes ofJoel Schumacher’s Batman films. Cera portrayed Robin as a kid, whose whimsical demeanor often conflicted with Will Arnett’s moody and stern portrayal of Batman.
While Robin can be silly or overly optimistic in the comics, plenty of darker stories exist that take the character seriously.The Dark Knight 4would have featured this version of Robin, as he tries to carry on Batman’s mantle with Bruce no longer there to guide him. Nolan imagined the Batman franchise more as a gritty crime drama, rather than a colorful superhero spectacle, and it would have been fascinating to see Robin in that atmosphere, especially after the character’s film history. Fortunately, there are opportunities for a more serious take on Robin in the future.
Why The DCU Needs Darker Robin Stories
The DCU needs to fix many of the mistakes made by the DCEU and throughout DC’s film history. This includes Robin, who hasn’t been done justice yet in a live-action film. Schumacher’s version was too goofy to take seriously, and theDCEU’s Robin was killedbefore he could debut. James Gunn’s DCU needs to do Robin right, and that includes giving him a grittier story, so audiences can learn to respect the character. Robin has a reputation for being Batman’s dorky sidekick, and a darker story could earn him more respect.
Fortunately, that’s what audiences could get inBatman: The Brave and the Bold. According to Gunn, the DCU’s Batman film will introduce Damian Wayne, Bruce’s son who he had with Talia al Ghul. Gunn describes him as a “little murderer and assassin,” and Damian is traditionally one of the more violent and unpredictable Robins in the comics. The DCU can finally give viewers the tough and intimidating Robin that audiences have waited for.
