Continuing with my Batman themed posts, I've decided to explore if a solo Nightwing movie would work; now Nolan's Bat trilogy is wrapping up next year. To start with, let me explain that I do not actually think there's any chance of seeing a Dick Grayson/Nightwing movie anytime soon. DC isn't going to take a gamble on a lesser-known character after the disastrous result from this year's Green Lantern. However, if the unexpected were to happen, and the movie was given the green light, how would a Nightwing movie successfully translate to the big screen?
To start with, the movie would need to be treated extremely seriously so that it can be connected to Nolan's trilogy. Warner Bros aren't going to start a DC cinematic universe anytime soon, so connecting at least two or their franchises together would be a nice touch. I would set the movie in the fictional city of Blüdhaven. The city can be depicted like a cross between Gotham City and the Narrows area seen in Batman Begins. There would need to be a sense of corruption and evil surrounding the place, perhaps even making it the base of the new organised crime criminals, who were beaten out of Gotham by the Batman. It can't under any means be as glamorous as Gotham. Blüdhaven should feel like the slums compared to Gotham or Metropolis.
Enter Dick Grayson. Would Grayson necessarily need the Robin gimmick as for Grayson it did come before he took on the persona of Nightwing? The Robin gimmick wouldn't work unless he was a sidekick to Batman. It definitely needs to be a more adult Nightwing flick. The story could follow a teenaged Dick Grayson, inspired by the stories coming from Gotham about the Batman. The real task lies in creating Dick's character. As readers of the comics will know, Dick is not necessarily a dark character. He's actually one of the more light-hearted allies to Bruce Wayne. So Grayson shouldn't be as dark and broody as Batman, but he shouldn't be a wise cracking Spidey rip-off either. His origin in the circus should be kept, as it's the only logical reason to explain his acrobatic fighting style that is essential to the character. Grayson's origin should be that he was raised in an orphanage, only to run away during his adolescent years searching for the criminals responsible for his family's death. Would the comic book villain Tony Zucco (who is responsible for the death of the Grayson family) be the main villain? I'd rather use a pre-established criminal such as Sal Maroni (providing he's not dead already) who was last seen in a car crash in The Dark Knight. That way it ties the films together and adds some much needed depth to the Sal Maroni character.
Grayson is quite a ladies man in the comics, and that's the hardest thing to translate onto screen without damaging the overall tone of the film. I'm a big fan of the The Huntress character (who had a great scene in Batman: Hush), and although she's not an original love interest for Dick in the comics, she could be Nightwing's answer to Hit-Girl. A young woman who uses a variety of gadgets and weapons she steals from criminals. Unlike Catwoman though, Huntress is more reckless and careless. If Batman has Catwoman, Nightwing should have Huntress.
And lastly, who would direct it? At the risk of sounding delusional, I'm going to say Frank Miller. A Nightwing film needs a director who can capture the serious tone of the film. Whilst Gotham's been getting all of the attention, its sister city Blüdhaven has been ignored and left to ruin. The legend of the Batman needs to be a recurring theme throughout the film as it's what will drive Grayson throughout his crusade. Miller would capture that perfectly, whilst adding some real importance to Nolan's films.
It's a shame Warner Bros own of all DC's cinematic properties. Under their ownership I really doubt that we'll ever see a Nightwing movie. Perhaps if DC gave some of their properties to other studios we might eventually one day see Nightwing fighting crime on the streets of Blüdhaven on screen. Do you think Nightwing deserves his own movie? How would you do it? As always leave your comments below.
To start with, the movie would need to be treated extremely seriously so that it can be connected to Nolan's trilogy. Warner Bros aren't going to start a DC cinematic universe anytime soon, so connecting at least two or their franchises together would be a nice touch. I would set the movie in the fictional city of Blüdhaven. The city can be depicted like a cross between Gotham City and the Narrows area seen in Batman Begins. There would need to be a sense of corruption and evil surrounding the place, perhaps even making it the base of the new organised crime criminals, who were beaten out of Gotham by the Batman. It can't under any means be as glamorous as Gotham. Blüdhaven should feel like the slums compared to Gotham or Metropolis.
Enter Dick Grayson. Would Grayson necessarily need the Robin gimmick as for Grayson it did come before he took on the persona of Nightwing? The Robin gimmick wouldn't work unless he was a sidekick to Batman. It definitely needs to be a more adult Nightwing flick. The story could follow a teenaged Dick Grayson, inspired by the stories coming from Gotham about the Batman. The real task lies in creating Dick's character. As readers of the comics will know, Dick is not necessarily a dark character. He's actually one of the more light-hearted allies to Bruce Wayne. So Grayson shouldn't be as dark and broody as Batman, but he shouldn't be a wise cracking Spidey rip-off either. His origin in the circus should be kept, as it's the only logical reason to explain his acrobatic fighting style that is essential to the character. Grayson's origin should be that he was raised in an orphanage, only to run away during his adolescent years searching for the criminals responsible for his family's death. Would the comic book villain Tony Zucco (who is responsible for the death of the Grayson family) be the main villain? I'd rather use a pre-established criminal such as Sal Maroni (providing he's not dead already) who was last seen in a car crash in The Dark Knight. That way it ties the films together and adds some much needed depth to the Sal Maroni character.
Grayson is quite a ladies man in the comics, and that's the hardest thing to translate onto screen without damaging the overall tone of the film. I'm a big fan of the The Huntress character (who had a great scene in Batman: Hush), and although she's not an original love interest for Dick in the comics, she could be Nightwing's answer to Hit-Girl. A young woman who uses a variety of gadgets and weapons she steals from criminals. Unlike Catwoman though, Huntress is more reckless and careless. If Batman has Catwoman, Nightwing should have Huntress.
And lastly, who would direct it? At the risk of sounding delusional, I'm going to say Frank Miller. A Nightwing film needs a director who can capture the serious tone of the film. Whilst Gotham's been getting all of the attention, its sister city Blüdhaven has been ignored and left to ruin. The legend of the Batman needs to be a recurring theme throughout the film as it's what will drive Grayson throughout his crusade. Miller would capture that perfectly, whilst adding some real importance to Nolan's films.
It's a shame Warner Bros own of all DC's cinematic properties. Under their ownership I really doubt that we'll ever see a Nightwing movie. Perhaps if DC gave some of their properties to other studios we might eventually one day see Nightwing fighting crime on the streets of Blüdhaven on screen. Do you think Nightwing deserves his own movie? How would you do it? As always leave your comments below.
