This article contains spoilers for The Batman.The Batman features Bruce Wayne in the early days of his career as a crime-fighter, before he’s faced off against the majority of his iconic rogues’ gallery. And of course, this is far from the first film adaptation that introduces Batman as a solo crimefighter.
In fact, out of every Batman movie, the only versions that have featured any of the Caped Crusader’s sidekicks are the spin-off movie of the Adam West TV show, the two Joel Schumacher movies, and The Lego Batman Movie. In the comics, Batman has a massive family of sidekicks and other allies fighting by his side, but for the past 25 years, filmmakers have been reluctant to feature any members of the Bat-Family on the big screen. However, The Batman provides a perfect opportunity to change that.
Flying Solo
The Batman shows the story of a young Bruce Wayne, only two years after he first became a vigilante. And while he works alongside Alfred and Jim Gordon — and eventually Catwoman as well — he remains emotionally distant for much of the film’s runtime. Bruce accepts help when he needs it, but it’s clear from his actions that he prefers to handle problems by himself, keeping everyone around him at arm’s length. This image of Batman as a brooding loner isn’t anything new, but Robert Pattinson’s portrayal carries a distinct sense of loneliness that makes Bruce's isolation feel all the more tragic.
At one point, Bruce fails to save Alfred from a bomb sent to Wayne Tower by the Riddler — a bomb that was meant to kill himself. Wracked by guilt, Bruce visits Alfred in the hospital at his lowest point, after he’s discovered that his father Thomas Wayne had ties to crime lord Carmine Falcone. For the first time in the film, Bruce lets down his guard and becomes truly vulnerable. On the verge of tears, he confesses that even though he believed he’d mastered his fear, he’d become consumed by the fear of losing the people he loved. Bruce’s desperation to protect those closest to him led him to push them away.
Soon after, Bruce learns that the Riddler and his followers were inspired by Batman to become symbols of fear and vengeance, striking terror into the city that abandoned them. Horrified by this revelation, Bruce realizes that he was wrong to rely on fear to protect Gotham — he must instead become a symbol of hope, to inspire the people of the city instead of terrifying them. And so, the Dark Knight steps into the light, publicly aiding the disaster relief effort in the aftermath of Riddler’s flood. After all the growth he’s experienced in his first film, the stage is set for Pattinson’s Batman to continue his journey in the sequel, becoming a hero who cherishes his comrades instead of alienating them. And what better way to cement his growth than to add some new members to his family?
Part Of Something Bigger
Out of all the comics that inspired The Batman, it’s greatest influence is arguably The Long Halloween by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale. However, The Long Halloween has a much lesser-known sequel series, Dark Victory, which features a similarly brooding Batman take in the young Dick Grayson as his adoptive son — and soon after, his crime-fighting apprentice when he becomes the first Robin. Dark Victory portrays Robin as a beacon of light in Bruce’s dark world, giving him a sense of renewed purpose as his resolve begins to waver. He isn’t just a kid sidekick, he serves a major thematic purpose in the Batman mythos.
The sequel(s) to The Batman could easily take a similar route, having Bruce take Dick Grayson in and placing him in the role of mentor. After spending so long with his mind clouded by darkness, Bruce would be forced to give guidance to someone else, even though he’s still in the process of finding himself. But at the same time, he’d have the opportunity to comfort another orphan boy who’s enduring the same trauma he once suffered. One of the most touching parts of Batman and Robin’s father-son bond is that Bruce is able to ensure that Dick turns out better than he did, growing up not into a vengeful vigilante, but a kind and beloved hero. If the new Batman’s character arc is all about learning to inspire others, then partnering him with Robin would be a natural next step on his journey.
Both Robert Pattinson and director Matt Reeves have both expressed interest in introducing Robin in a future film, so it’s not a stretch to believe that he could be joining Pattinson’s Batman in the sequel. However, there’s no need to stop at just one member of the Bat-Family. The second Robin, Jason Todd, could easily join the cast for a Death In The Family adaptation. Barbara Gordon is already getting her own Batgirl movie, but Cassandra Cain would be a perfect fit for the mantle in Reeves’ Gotham. The possibilities are endless — and while the future of Pattinson’s Batman remains unclear now, introducing the Batman Family certainly seems like a brilliant direction to take his story.