Like leather-winged rodents from a frightening cave, Batman movie news is flying out of Warner Bros. today. Soon after reports emerged that Matt Reeves will be directing the upcoming Batsy solo flick, The Hollywood Reporter said Warner is also planning a movie about long-standing DC Comics hero and Batman protégé Nightwing. The Lego Batman Movie’s director, Chris McKay, is set to direct and Bill Dubuque of The Accountant is writing the script. The basic gist of Nightwing is that he’s the grown-up alter ego of Dick Grayson, the first lad to don the domino mask of Robin. He strikes out on his own and becomes his own nighttime defender, eternally trying to get out of his erstwhile father figure’s shadow.
This is a curious development, as Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice made no mention of a living ex-Robin and implied that at least one Robin was killed by the Joker. It’s certainly possible that Dick was just off doing his own thing, undiscussed, but the fact that DC Entertainment never teased Nightwing’s existence in a movie with as many teases as BvS suggests that this is a new idea from a studio that’s desperate to make sure their very expensive superhero operation doesn’t capsize.