DC and Warner Bros. clearly don’t know what they want to do with their next major film, Batman vs. Superman. Or rather, they have an asinine plan in place to shape their film universe in the Marvel mold, but are going about it in the most ridiculous way. I’ve already addressed some of the bigger issues plaguing the film that go beyond Ben Affleck’s casting as Batman, and Alex has written about the third DC tentpole character, Wonder Woman, also rumored to appear in the film. If new rumors are to be true, it goes to show exactly how out of touch and unorganized the powers that be at DC and WB truly are.
Latino Review has been rocking it all year with their exclusive scoops on the superhero film circuit, breaking news about such things like major casting and plot points for Guardians of the Galaxy and Star Wars Episode VII, amongst other films. The site’s El Mayimbe recently posted a video (which you can watch below) detailing the new casting call he uncovered recently involving DC and WB casting for Dick Grayson, Batman’s kid sidekick, Robin, who later grew up to become the Teen Titans’ Nightwing.
The studio is looking for a “young, John Hawkes-type […] Caucasian, who can do martial arts who’s 5’10”.” He also reports that the role has already been auditioned for, perhaps not for an acting role, but stunt roles. With news that Affleck’s Batman will be an older, weary, and jaded version of the character, it’s not without reason to believe that the call for Dick Grayson will portray him as a young adult. Indeed, Mayimbe also addresses rumors that a narrative point in Batman vs. Superman will circle around the strained relationship between Bruce Wayne and his former young charge, Dick Grayson.
Let’s take a second and reflect here: WB and DC want to create a thriving universe in the way Marvel has been successfully doing for the past seven years. However, they’re forcing the subject by stretching Batman vs. Superman too thin with major DC characters Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and now Robin/Nightwing, with no word on who the actual villain/villains will be. This is too much, too soon, guys! Regardless, if the rumors are indeed true, and Dick Grayson will be in the film, who would you like to see behind the mask? I have a few ideas, but I’ll hold onto those for a little while…
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[via Latino Review]