2015 marked the 75th anniversary of Robin the Boy Wonder, the very first kid sidekick and one of the most recognizable super heroes in any medium. While there hasn’t been and official announcement of a solo ‘Batman’ movie, rumor is that one is in the works which will star, be directed and co-written by Ben Affleck.
The latest rumor is that the movie will introduce movie-goers to the most famous and infamous former Robins– Dick Grayson and Jason Todd. Dick was the first and longest-running Robin before becoming his own man, Nightwing in the 80s. Jason was Dick’s street-smart replacement who was a flop with readers, who voted via a 1-800 number to kill him off in the legendary story ‘A Death In The Family’ in 1988. Jason returned in 2008 in the also seminal tale ‘Under the Red Hood’.
Allegedly, the ‘Batman’ movie will draw from both these comic book stories, depicting Jason’s death at the hands of The Joker and his return to torment his one-time mentor. According to reports, Warner Brothers is looking to cast unknowns as both the ex-Robins. “Unknowns” can be interpreted different ways. Generally speaking, Henry Cavill (Superman) and Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman) fit that description despite starring in high profile movies. But it was their DC castings that really put them in the spotlight and their names on lips.
Beyond the obvious, the biggest issue with casting both parts is the movie timeline. Batman is older and grizzled and has been operating in secret for many years– enough time to have gone through at least two Robins. Dick Grayson should be older by Jason Todd by maybe five years, but he should still be younger than Superman. But Cavill is only 32 years-old, so that’s a tight window into which to squeeze.
Here are five actors plus an honorable mention each to suggest who could potentially play Dick Grayson and Jason Todd. Feel free to respond in the Comments section with your picks!
NIGHTWING
Honorable Mention: Steven R. McQueen
Why He’d Work:
He wants it BAD! The ‘Vampire Diaries’ alum has been working out and tweeting his progress as well as his desire to play Nightwing, despite there (at that time) being no projects in the works to feature the character. (He initially approached the producers of ‘Arrow.’) It’s a check under the Pro column that he is a huge Nightwing fan and not just someone who wants to be in a super hero movie for the paycheck or because they’re popular. And he definitely looks the part.
Why He Might Not Work:
Some of the biggest movie stars originated as TV actors– Chris Pratt, Will Smith, Leonardo DiCaprio and Bruce Willis just to name a few– so the fact that McQueen is coming from a TV background isn’t necessarily a handicap, but he hasn’t really gotten the chance to prove that he has what it takes to be a film star. Now if TNT ever gets around to making that ‘Titans’ series they’ve been developing, he’d be my hands-down choice.
5. Garrett Hedlund
Why He’d Work:
On paper, he’s got the qualities to make a strong leading man including good looks, general likeability and a certain intensity that could serve him well as Dick Grayson.
Why He Might Not Work:
Hollywood has tried to make Hedlund a leading man, but his two most expensive movies, ‘Tron: Legacy’ and ‘Pan‘, failed at the box office. He isn’t Box Office Poison just yet, but he really needs a good role in a hit movie to get things on track. Playing Nightwing could be the perfect opportunity!
4. Armie Hammer
Why He’d Work:
Dick Grayson is one of the biggest sex symbols of the super hero set and Armie Hammer is so pretty it hurts. With his booming voice, easy charm and charisma, he’s just waiting for the right role in the right film to make him a household name.
But the real (and meta) reason? He was already supposed to have played Batman! He was slated to be the Caped Crusader in George Martin’s ‘Justice League: Mortal‘ which was all set to shoot when it was suddenly scrapped at the last minute. Since Affleck is the movie Batman for the foreseeable future, it might be fun to see Hammer play the next best thing.
Why He Might Not Work:
For the same reason as Hedlund– high-profile flops: the headlining part in ‘The Lone Ranger’ and co-starring with Superman himself, Cavill in ‘The Man From U.N.C.L.E.’ But like with Hedlund, I think it’s just a matter of the right role to make him click.
3. Matt Bomer
Why He’d Work:
He’s a dead ringer for the comic book character. (Actually, in the pic, he looks more like Superman with that spit curl.)
Why He Might Not Work:
Age. He’s 38 versus the 32 year-old Superman. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still a looker, but his Nightwing opportunity may have come and gone.
As far as acting, he seems decent but has never blown me away.
2. Casey Affleck
Why He’d Work:
In ‘Gone Baby Gone’ Casey proved he could be phenomenal under the direction of big bro Ben. A skilled thespian on his own, he’s unfortunately always been overshadowed by his older sibling… yep, definitely sounds like the angsty Dick Grayson from around the time he chose to strike out on his own as Nightwing and soar from under Batman’s shadow.
Why He Might Not Work:
Too on the nose? Too much familial resemblance? Would the relationship steal focus from their onscreen (not related) partnership? Maybe.
1. Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Why He’d Work:
Because he came thisclose to it already, playing Robin John Blake in ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ which ended with his cop character inheriting the Batcave and Batman’s arsenal of crime-fighting equipment, seeming to set up a sequel that never came as WB switched its gears to ‘Man of Steel’ and the new cinematic universe. But Gordon-Levitt wowed viewers with his depiction and maybe he should be given the shot to pick up the role for which he seemed to be set up.
Why He Might Not Work:
This is a new universe with no connection to Christopher Nolan’s so bringing back Gordon-Levitt might be too confusing. Plus, a bit of his luster has dulled with smaller films and poorly-received big budget endeavors like ‘Walk’, but even so, he seems genuinely likeable and could easily overcome that.
So there are five (plus one) options to consider for Dick. What about Jason? Keep reading!
RED HOOD
Honorable Mention: Jensen Ackles
Why He’d Work:
He’s the Internet’s choice for sure. Fueled by his excellent job voicing Jason Todd in the animated adaptation of ‘Under the Red Hood’ and the fact that he’s already a genre favorite for playing Dean on ‘Supernatural’ he’s got the geek vote.
Why He Might Not Work:
Like Bomer, he’s too old, 37.
Like Steven R. McQueen, he’s almost exclusively a TV actor. Once again, not a jab, but in Ackles case, he doesn’t seem at all interested in being in movies. If he were, he’d be in them! With his matinee idol looks and deep voice, he could easily land one of those Nicholas Sparks adaptations. But Ackles has a family and seems content with the steady TV gig with occasional voice work, allowing him time to spend with them.
5. Michael Cera
Why He’d Work:
HEAR ME OUT! HEAR ME OUT! I know, an oddball choice, but Jason Todd is a somewhat oddball character. Just a few short years ago, Cera was the posterboy for geek chic, but has worn out his welcome by playing the same awkward nerd in nearly every movie. This could add to this role, when you think about it. Even though Jason has been redeemed with some readers, remember he died in comics because fans wanted him dead! I’m sure Cera would really sink his teeth into the chance to play a fan-assassinated character and get his revenge both figuratively and literally.
He proved he could do action in ‘Scott Pilgrim’, plus he’s voicing Robin in the upcoming ‘LEGO Batman’ animated movie.
Why He Might Not Work:
Inability to get past his Michael Cera-ness.
4. Zac Efron
Why He’d Work:
He has the looks and physique and can play douchy and arrogant, which suits the part. Though he’s most known as a nice prettyboy in female-skewing roles, he has branched out in darker roles in small films and genuinely has range and undeniable charisma.
Why He Might Not Work:
Efron almost exclusively appeals to females (and gay men). No straight man considers him one of their favorite actors, even after ‘Neighbors’. And while comic book movies are a hit with nearly every demographic, it’s the young male demo that the studios are most desperate to appeal to and Efron just doesn’t have guy appeal.
3. Aaron Paul
Why He’d Work:
He just WOULD! ‘Breaking Bad’ wasn’t a scifi or comic book show, but its fandom certainly overlaps with those. As Jesse Pinkman, Paul did despicable things, which serves the Red Hood role well, but despite those actions, Pinkman was the tender heart of the show. The boy has range and it’s just a matter of time before he breaks through big time in a movie role.
Why He Might Not Work:
His post-‘Breaking Bad’ lead turn was in the crappy ‘Need For Speed’, so he doesn’t yet have box office clout. (That’s really all I got. Paul for Todd!)
2. Evan Peters
Why He’d Work:
He freakin’ STOLE ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ as the cocky Quicksilver. And his sinister roles on ‘American Horror Story‘ have shown his abilities to play sensitive and sympathetic as well as crazy and scary. Like Paul, he’s got big screen success written all over his future.
Why He Might Not Work:
He’s part of the ‘X-Men’ franchise, but other actors have bounced between Marvel and DC.
1. Adam Driver
Why He’d Work:
More than any of the other selections, he exudes menace and unpredictable rage, but can also flip the switch and be fragile and in need of nurturing. Even with his off-kilter style, he is engaging and charismatic.
Why He Might Not Work:
Those same qualities are already being put to use as Kylo Ren in ‘Star Wars’. Whereas the ‘X-Men’ movies are based on Marvel Comics characters, they aren’t produced by Marvel Studios which is owned by Disney. ‘Star Wars’ is also owned by Disney, making it less likely that they’d share Driver.
Plus one super villain-esque role might be plenty.
Well, those are some selections. Love ’em? Hate ’em? Do you have a better suggestion? Sound off below!