It’s pretty common knowledge that at some point, Robin was expected to appear in Tim Burton’s first ‘Batman’ movie, released in summer 1989. But by the time production began, those plans were scrapped, which is probably for the best, as between Batman/Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton), Vicki Vale (Kim Basinger), and The Joker (Jack Nicholson), plus supporting characters like Alfred, Commissioner Gordon, and Harvey Dent, the film was packed plenty full without the Boy Wonder.
But Mark Hamill has shared a video that explains how Robin would have fit into the story. The animated clip uses the original movie storyboards, with Hamill voicing the Joker and Kevin Conroy as Batman.
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In the scene, Bruce Wayne is caught without his Batsuit and must wear an improvised mask with his regular business suit until Alfred arrives. Batman chases after the Joker on horseback, and their frantic pursuit winds up wrecking the circus where Dick Grayson and the Flying Graysons are performing. In this version, it’s The Joker who winds up being responsible for the deaths of Dick’s family. If the beginning of the movie was still the same, that means that Nicholson’s Joker killed both Bruce and Dick’s parents.
This was apparently meant to be included on a home video release of the film. The video is old, but Hamill has just shared it, so if you have never seen it, check it out below:
This rare clip from an early draft of the 1989 Batman movie introduced Robin but was later scrapped. @RealKevinConroy & I voiced the storyboards for the sequence- most likely for a bonus on a DVD release. I’m seeing it today for the very 1st time. ENJOY. https://t.co/o2zFR7Fw8W
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) July 13, 2019
Chris O’Donnell would debut as Robin/Dick Grayson in 1995’s ‘Batman Forever’, but by that point, both Burton and Keaton were out. Joel Schumacher directed that film, with Val Kilmer stepping into the role of Batman. (Nicholson and Basinger only appeared in the first movie.)
There are currently rumors that Robin might appear in Matt Reeves’ ‘The Batman’, but that is still in pre-production. Check back for updates on that film as they emerge.
Would you have liked to have seen Robin in ‘Batman’? Or is the movie better off without him?
