Christian Bale rejects Robin for Batman movies

By Alexandra Heilbron on July 4, 2008 | 59 Comments


Christian BaleChristian Bale isn’t too pleased about rumors predicting that Robin will appear in the next Batman movie. “If Robin crops up in one of the new Batman films, I’ll be chaining myself up somewhere and refusing to go to work,” he told StarPulse. Robin, Batman’s young sidekick, appears not only in the Batman comic books, but was included in the 1960’s TV series and the motion pictures Batman Forever and Batman & Robin. He was not in Batman Begins, starring Bale, and is also not seen in the upcoming Batman sequel, The Dark Knight, opening July 18. Heath Ledger, who died shortly after playing The Joker in The Dark Knight, will be honored in the film’s credits, along with Conway Wickliffe, a special effects technician who was killed when a car he was in crashed during a stunt test-run for the film.



Comments & Discussion

  1. Trace • July 4, 2008 @ 7:34 AM

    Good for you Christian. “The Dark Knight” is how “Batman” should be and would cheapen the franchise with a side-kick. Of which he doesn’t need. Rest well Heath, as you are missed.

  2. Lambage • July 4, 2008 @ 8:51 AM

    The lastest batman movies are definitely taking a darker side, and meant a little less for the young audiences. So ya I can see why not having a sidekick is a good thing at this point. Robin has always introduced a much lighter, kid friendly, jimmy gee willackers environment batman.

    So I’m with him on this.

  3. The Rock • July 4, 2008 @ 9:01 AM

    As much as I agree with Mr.Bale, it will unfortunately not be up to him to include Robin in future Batman movies. The studios are the ones that make most decisions and Mr.Bale could be replaced if he doesn’t follow the company line.

  4. Dogmeat • July 4, 2008 @ 9:09 AM

    LOL. Bale won’t be replaced as he’s THE Batman and is the reason the new series is doing so well. He will have creative control until his contract expires which won’t be for another couple of movies. He can be fired but those producers will be overly optimistic the franchise will survive without Bale. 🙂

  5. Beast • July 4, 2008 @ 9:25 AM

    If they do make another movie, I think they should introduce the character Dyck Garyson. But not have him become robin in the movie, Then if they make a fourth one, maybe then they should have him come in as Robin. Because you can’t denie that Batman did have a sidekick(s) in the comics. There has been times when he has needed help to take on the bad guys(Supermna can’t always be there).

  6. Ann • July 4, 2008 @ 9:33 AM

    Get over yourself Christain Bale. They can always get another Batman. You’re not that good of an actor that you can dictate who does and does not get to be in the movies.

  7. tammy • July 4, 2008 @ 10:16 AM

    I think Shia LaBeouf should play Robin…

  8. Thunderhowl • July 4, 2008 @ 10:18 AM

    *sigh* Batman isn’t famous because of Christian Bale, it’s the opposite.
    Robin, Batgirl, Superman, The Justice League…all are important items in the Batman Canon. Bale’s assertion that he’ll refuse to work if the writers include Robin is like refusing to work if they chose Two-Face or the Joker as villains to use. It’s utterly ridiculous.
    Batman is an iconic character that has survived a lot of abuse, and Bale didn’t become a household name until he accepted the role. I say again. BALE didn’t make BATMAN famous.

    Bale, give your head a shake. You aren’t that fricken famous. Get over yourself. Rather than crying about the addition of Robin, why not use your clout to make sure that they add Robin in a clever and respectful fashion. No one wants another Batman and Robin. No one.

  9. marvel man • July 4, 2008 @ 11:00 AM

    Get overself Bale. It’s funny that because he’s all famous now he thinks that he dictate who can and cannot be in the Batman series. Of course they’re going to ad Robin into the series, like duh. Robin has obviously already been written into the comic books and it’s only a matter of time before they introduce him into the movies. I’m not sure what Bale thinks he’s talking about, it’s going to happen. Robin is in the comic books, he’s going to be in the movies. It’s just that simple. It’s all about how they introduce Robin that counts. I think Beast has the right idea in introducing Dick Grayson rather than Robin. It makes more sense to do it that way. I would mind seeing a Barbara Gordon/Batgirl introduced more into the story. We caught a small glimpse of her in Batman Begins and I wouldn’t mind seeing it developed more.

  10. John • July 4, 2008 @ 11:30 AM

    It’s like that whole blade 3 thing agine. Not wanting to share the screne with sidekicks!

  11. sidekick • July 4, 2008 @ 11:56 AM

    By adding Dyck Garyson, they can transition him into his own movie. For when he becomes Nightwing.

  12. Dave • July 4, 2008 @ 12:06 PM

    Robin is a character in the comics, but these movies are based on the graphic novels.

    the reason batman begins was so good and the only way a superhero movie can be watchable over and over again is if the transition from man to suit wearing hero is believable. this happens only if there is character development and deep motives and themes leading up to their suit wearing adventures. If a Robin character was introduced, youd need to dedicate an entire movie to their character development for it to be effective, and personally i dont care to watch a movie about robin.

  13. April • July 4, 2008 @ 12:23 PM

    First off – Christian Bale is the best Batman EVER!! I can’t really blame Bale to not wanting Robin introduced. This series is much darker then we have seen before, and Robin does add a comical dynamic to the movies. That being said, I’m not sure if Christian can dismiss a character that has been there long before he was even born. I still don’t really care about Robin what so ever… it is called Batman, not Robin.

  14. sidekick • July 4, 2008 @ 1:07 PM

    If they add robin, they don’t need to add his name to the title. They can still make the movie dark, It dosent need to be lighted up, just cause they add him. Plus we know what leads robin to become a crime fighter. just like Bruce his family is murderd in front of him. You don’t need to do a whole movie just for Robin to do charachter building. He became Robin well living with Bruce Wayne. Like others have said it is called Batman, all it is is adding another character. Then if they make Nightwing, they can do his character building in there.

  15. Sorsha • July 4, 2008 @ 1:30 PM

    First off it is too early in “Batman’s Life” for Robin yet anyways. If we all remember Bruce only just became Batman in the last movie. Heck Gordon was only a Luitenant. Second why can’t Robin be just as dark as Batman? Who says he has to be all cheery and happy? In this day and age we are all accustomed to darker quiet children perhaps with a disturbing past in movies. We all seem to be pre-occupies with Robin as he was in the incredibly silly yet entertaining 60’s version…heck even Batman was silly in the incarnation! I say put Robin in there only make him as dark and brooding as The Dark Knight himself perhaps with a dry sense of humour…

  16. Gewher • July 4, 2008 @ 1:45 PM

    Bale did make Batman famous. At least for me.

  17. bravalma • July 4, 2008 @ 2:58 PM

    I would agree that Bale most certainly did not make Batman famous and I didn’t like Batman Begins at all (I found it a bit boring). He is definitely not the best Batman. I never heard of Bale until he did Batman. Considering how many other actors there are that have played the role of Batman, I don’t think he can get too comfortable in the role.

  18. Sean • July 4, 2008 @ 3:29 PM

    Actually, that is pathetic. because the movies are dark and a dark director can tell the dark tale that is Dick becoming Robin. His entire family is murdered infront of him. That’s not dark? He is a rebellious younger character that would work well in the new franchise, if cast correctly and told correctly robin would be a welcome edition. Erase chris o’donnell as robin from your minds people, not only were those movies terrible but he was the absolute worst choice for Robin. Shame on Christian Bale (who is a great batman finally.) for not giving Robin a chance to be told with some substance.

  19. Sean • July 4, 2008 @ 3:32 PM

    P.S, if these are based of the ‘graphic novels’ that frank miller wrote, they were all single issue comics, and he has robin in them she is a young girl. Get your facts straight, robin is innevitable.

    The Dark Knight was heavily based off Frank Millers “Year One” and guess what, Frank went on to write in a robin. I’d like to know a graphic novel written that doesnt at least MENTION robin, or he doesnt exist in the universe. Think about it, write Robin into the third, then you could have a kick ass Dark Wing comic.

  20. Sean • July 4, 2008 @ 3:33 PM

    P.P.S. Bale is the best Batman there has been. He is a great young Bruce Wayne and a fantastic Batman, he is pretty much the only guy that makes his voice gravelly in the batsuit. Clooney was a joke, Kilmer was a joke, Tim Burtons direction was a joke. These are the only real batman movies. Anything made before Batman Begins needs to be destroyed and erased from history.

  21. Anonymous • July 4, 2008 @ 4:18 PM

    I’ve been watching Batman for a very long time and I have to say that Im sick of it. What makes Batman so good is Robin and together they fight crime. The problem is that Bale sucks everytime he stars in a Batman movie, someone else steals the show from him. They need to replace to him. I agree with Sean, they do need Robin mostly because he went through the same thing as Batman. Bale just wants the show for himself and Im sick of them using Heath’s death as a way to promote the flim b/c it is going to do well anyways. Everything about the last Batman movie sucked and the only good thing about this new one is Heath Ledger

  22. Jo-Anne • July 4, 2008 @ 5:31 PM

    Sure Bale could be replaced. Anyone can.
    But let’s face it – if the gang behind the movie feels he’s integral to the part ($$$), hell, Bale will be dictating what colour M&M’s to fill the bowl in his movie star trailer with….

    personally, his Batman movie was not for me, I can’t wait to see Heath Ledger’s take on the Joker and hope I will enjoy this one more.

  23. Steven • July 4, 2008 @ 6:00 PM

    Forget Shia LaBeouf, I’ll play the role of Robin.

  24. Anonymous • July 4, 2008 @ 6:06 PM

    IT DOESNT MATTER IF BALE’S THE ONE SAYING THERE IS NO ROBIN, BECAUSE EVEN THE DIRECTOR SAID AS LONG AS HE’S STILL ON THIS PROJECT THERE WILL BE NO ROBIN

  25. Poppa John's in Exile • July 4, 2008 @ 6:16 PM

    !!!

  26. rolrace • July 4, 2008 @ 9:02 PM

    Create first a whole movie for Dick Grayson

    and his adventure then he will meet Batman

    in this movie. And the adventure begins…..

  27. Anne • July 4, 2008 @ 10:08 PM

    Christian Bale is one of the better actors to play Batman, but Michael Keaton was the best in the first Batman movie. I will see how this upcoming Batman feat. the late Heath Ledger as the joker vs. Jack Nicholson’s Joker in the 1989 Batman.

    Robin is good, but I don’t think Bale can decide .

  28. O.G, • July 5, 2008 @ 2:34 AM

    Robins are not nocturnal therefore kills the dark knight image, although i do trust Christopher Nolan and his film making skills to be able to pull it off but i rather see batman by himself for a while

  29. Sergio • July 5, 2008 @ 4:01 AM

    No doubt the new Batman franchise is much improved. It would be tough working in a character like Robin in this one. I think it would come across as hokey/cheesy..

  30. The Farting Cactus • July 5, 2008 @ 9:07 AM

    What about Bat-mite?

  31. Laura M • July 5, 2008 @ 9:23 AM

    Never heard of Christian Bale before Batman? Try watching Empire of the Sun, Little Women, American Psycho, Laurel Canyon, The Machinist, The Prestige, 3:10 to Yuma, I’m Not There. His performances in these movies have shown that always give his best and I will always look forward to seeing what he does next.

  32. Ryan Provenzano • July 5, 2008 @ 9:58 AM

    Robin, are you kidding me.There is no place in the batman movies for this character,not right now anyway.The batman franchise is bigger and better then never.We have big names in these movies, great actors who are taking these movies seriously.With a director who has done a great job showing us who and where the bat comes from.The movies are darker and harder then the ones before.Nolan takes the pages of many batman stories and brings them to the big screen with greater results then some of the other comic book movies we have seen.Christian bale is rigth to be upset.To bring robin into the picture so soon is a mistake,It’s important to the studios that the movie is good,but it’s important also that the movie makes money.And bringing Robin into the picture is just another way to make more movie.As a batman fan and reader,batman begins and even the dark knigth from what I’ve seen are two of the greatest comic book to movie films I’ve ever seen.

  33. quinn • July 5, 2008 @ 12:38 PM

    Batman doesn’t need robin right now. And the task would be to get a really good robin. unknown would be preferred, but studios usually get things like that wrong.

  34. Cyclops • July 5, 2008 @ 12:45 PM

    If they do make another movie, I think they should introduce the character Dyck Garyson. But not have him become robin in the movie, Then if they make a fourth one, maybe then they should have him come in as Robin. Because you can”™t denie that Batman did have a sidekick(s) in the comics. There has been times when he has needed help to take on the bad guys(Supermna can”™t always be there).

  35. jo • July 5, 2008 @ 2:41 PM

    Maybe its just me but the previous Batman movies were slightly cheesy?!

    I think Bale is THE Batman, and he’s the reason the franchise is so profitable. Face it – if there were more Batman movies and Bale wasn’t the lead character… I couldn’t watch it!

    However in order to remain true to the comic books I think Robin DOES need to be introduced – as this dark, edgy character with a dry and sarcastic sense of humour.

    For now? I’m going to LOVE LOVE LOVE Bale’s second take on Batman in “The Dark Knight”!

  36. Chris • July 6, 2008 @ 6:37 AM

    Christian Bale isn’t a movie star or a draw. Very few people see the Batman movies because he’s in them. He can be easily replaced, and I hope he is if he continues this diva act. Bale needs to get over himself.

  37. jkjhj • July 6, 2008 @ 2:01 PM

    he’s done 2 batman movie, and the secound one hasent been seen yet. You can’t say he’s made the fanchise.

  38. studentfilmmaker • July 6, 2008 @ 7:27 PM

    For all you people who doubt Robin could appear in a franchise so dark as this, just read Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder. It’s penned by none other than Frank Miller, and shows the dark twisted side of the origins to robin. If they made a movie with Robin, cast a ten or twelve year old boy who can really act, not a 20 something pretty boy like Chris O’Donnell.

  39. person #1 • July 6, 2008 @ 8:13 PM

    oh my god! why is everyone makin such a big fuss about this?! Bale doesnt want robin and some people do. People have different opinions.
    I would say that robin is more like a happy-go-lucky superhero and batman isnt. In this kind of franchise I would say robin wouldnt fit in.its my opinion

  40. person #3 • July 6, 2008 @ 8:18 PM

    oh by the way christian bale was a great actor as batman/bruce wayne in my opinion

  41. Anonymous • July 7, 2008 @ 12:48 PM

    wow does this guy have a over bloated ego

  42. Anonymous • July 7, 2008 @ 1:42 PM

    bale stars in one blockbuster movie and he thinks he owns the place. Robin is important otherwise the he never would of have been created. They dont have to follow the comic books exactly, I mean in the next batman movie Robin could turn bad.

  43. CDN_Comicguy • July 7, 2008 @ 6:37 PM

    Has anyone read the new All-Star Batman with Frank Miller writing? Robin can be dark too, the kid is tormented by his parents being murdered and takes it out on people.

  44. mlm • July 8, 2008 @ 9:39 AM

    bale is just a big whiner hes gotta learn hes not gonna get everything his own way…

  45. Nancy • July 8, 2008 @ 11:23 AM

    Yes, exactly! What is it with these actors trying to dictate the script and stuff. Ed Norton and now Christian Bale. You’re being paid to ACT…they pay others to write, produce, and do the casting!!

  46. Andrew Smith • July 9, 2008 @ 4:35 PM

    i think christian bale is the best batman and agree with him because there is nothing more gay than robin, and thats why the last batman movies failed too gay way to go studio screw up a franchise if you like

  47. Andrew Smith • July 9, 2008 @ 5:03 PM

    HEY GREAT IDEA STUDIO YEAH ….ROBIN PUT HIM IN FOR SURE BECAUSE THE LAST BATMAN MOVIES WITH JOEL SCHUMACHER WORKED OUT SO WELL.WHATS NEXT POLAR WITH ARMOUR?! HEY STUDIO HOW ABOUT SOME ALIENS! …THAT WAS A GOOD IDEA WITH INDIANA WAY TO GO! KEEP IT UP

    IN CASE U DIDNT DETECT THE ALWAYS NOTABLE SARCARSM ITS A BAD IDEA

  48. Ron Corless • July 14, 2008 @ 1:40 AM

    I want Robin to be in the next Batman movie!! I like Robin and Batman needs Robin! Robin makes Batman feel like a father figure and an older brother and provides light into Batman’s dark world. I think Robin could work in Nolan’s Batfilms. But I think they should bring in Tim Drake instead of Dick Grayson or bring in Dick Grayson but have him be more like Tim Drake and wear the current red costume with the R on it and the black cape that Drake currently wears instead of the red & green suit with the yellow cape but I prefer the latter the best because I grew up with that but I also do like Robin’s new red cotume and could blend in well with Batman’s dark costume. Robin should be based on the graphic novel Dark Victory in which the next film is rumored to be based on.

    Christian Bale is great as Batman but he is a jerk if he thinks Robin should not be in the Batman movies or doesn’t want to work with the actor who will eventually play him. It’s not up to Bale if Robin will be in the movies but the filmmakers and the studio. They should get another actor to play Batman in the next film and beyond if Bale doesn’t want Robin in future movies.

    Robin’s appearance in the next film could pave the way for a second trilogy of Batman movies where Robin is with him all the time and becomes Nightwing in the last film of the trilogy and Tim Drake becomes the next Robin at the climax of the last film much like Dick Grayson should be Robin at the climax of the next film just like Dark Victory. I WANT ROBIN IN THE NEXT BATMAN MOVIE THAT COULD COME OUT IN 2010 OR 2011! BATMAN NEEDS ROBIN!! BATMAN NEEDS ROBIN!! BATMAN NEEDS ROBIN!! NOLAN BRING ROBIN IN THE NEXT FILM PLEAAASE!!!! PRETTY PLEAAASE!!!

  49. lm • July 14, 2008 @ 12:43 PM

    Wow, I couldn’t imagine having every single comment I make disected like this. It sounds like it was a knee/jerk reaction and is probably linking it to Batman’s mindset of the current movie in which Robin could not fit in. Yes, he is in the public eye but perhaps if the next movies are developed in a way where it stays true to the Frank Miller graphic novels he would have a change of heart. For those who accuse Christian Bale of being an egomaniac, it seems to me that he is the direct opposite. He has stayed out of the public eye and tries to avoid the media (probaby for this very reason). Avoids tabloids. Lives a quiet life with his wife and child loves the “craft” of acting. Perhaps that is why alot of people don’t consider him being a “household name.” Incidentally, many have been fans of his before he ever became Batman. He has been in approx 30 movies and is one of the best actors of our time.

  50. Nightwing916 • July 22, 2008 @ 2:05 AM

    Student filmmaker is right. Those of us who grew up reading/collecting the Batman comic books understand that Batman needs a Robin. It’s just that Robin as never been portrayed accurately in the old Batman tv show (ex: Burt Ward) or that horrible version with Clooney and O’Donnell. Robin (Dick Grayson) should FINALLY, for the first time, be introduced/portrayed on screen by an 8 year old boy (intelligent, resourceful, but also very sullen) who is taken under Bruce Wayne’s wing after his parents are murdered. Although it is still too early in Bruce Wayne’s life to have a young Dick Grayson be introduced, eventually I (like many Batman and Titans comic book fans) would like to FINALLY see Robin’s history unfold chronologically and accurately. It would also be refreshing to see the intense father/son struggle between the two of them. Non-Batman comic book readers just need to get the Burt Ward/Chris ODonnell images out of their head. There’s nothing at all cartoony about Robin if portrayed “true” to the comic books.

  51. chris • November 7, 2008 @ 8:58 AM

    I agree with beast. They should introduce Dick Grayson first and in the sequel after that he becomes Robin. Christian Bale has his opinion about whether robin should be in this franchise or not but he should remind himself that he can always be replaced as batman no different from someone new playing jason in a remake etc. My opinion is Tim Burto’s two films are darker than Nolan’s work. i quote Bruce W. Timm from the animated series, ” You can’t have batman be a loner for too long without having robin be included somewhere down the road”. I like robin cause the batman comics are unique in its own way. there’s not many heroes with a sidekick, and batman is only human. They could put robin into good use if they used Bane again in a sequel, and no im not talkin about a dimwit bane like in batman & robin. im talkin about bane from the comics who broke batman’s back. id like to see Batman put up the fight of is life to someone like that.

  52. Cayer • December 24, 2008 @ 4:51 AM

    I can understand why many people are wary to see Robin in the films. Many people are probably still scarred from the terrible Batman movies of the past. However I wonder how many comic books Bale has read? I don’t want to come off as the elitist comic book fan boy, because I’m really not. I just happen to be a teen who grew up on DC comics, and who also enjoyed the latest Batman movies.

    That being said, I think Robin would be an excellent addition to the series if done right. Many of you are talking about how Batman is taking a “darker” tone. Let me be clear, Batman took a dark tone back in the 80’s when the whole concept of a superhero was revised in The Death of Superman and The Dark Knight Returns. Since than the story arc and mood of the Batman universe has been twisted and grown into something truly entertaining. For those of you who didn’t know, Robin isn’t just some kid in tights who comes up with ridiculous one liners and fetches the shark spray. He is now a complex and entertaining character who morphed into Nightwing.

    I like the ideas of previous posters, to introduce Grayson in a film, than give him a spin off. DC and Warner Brothers need to start thinking about expanding the Batman universe. Marvel has had huge success with Spiderman, X-Men, and most recently Incredible Hulk and Iron Man. So far the only recent memorable movie from DC has been Batman.

  53. Scott • December 25, 2008 @ 5:34 PM

    First of all Christian Bale “is” replaceable. There are several good actors that could fill the role. I think Robin could be in the next Batman film “if” the character is done correctly. Make him a homeless, orphaned, tough street wise kid with gymnastics, martial arts skills who has had a hard life. The death of his parents could have also been caused by the criminal world. He then becomes a “bad-ass” vigilante whom Batman encounters while going after a criminal and the two go at it one on one. The storyline could be weaved so that Batman is facing two villians so powerful that he “needs” help and they reluctantly join forces.

  54. Cristian Pacheco • December 31, 2008 @ 3:03 PM

    Actually this type of resentment of the Robin character is perfect because in all except the 60s TV show Robin was following and nagging Batman and Batman wanted nothing to do with him. If you ask me if Bale keeps this attitude and is still on contract for said many movies and has to do it I forsee it being great screen chemistry aith at the same time still following the serious and dark tone to the series.

  55. Batfan • January 4, 2009 @ 8:54 PM

    Bale is absolutely right, his batman is way to young to act like a ‘father’ figure, and also batman would make an terrible dad. His bruce wayne is a nice guy, but he’s a air head, and i like it like that, robin makes batman seem like friggin’ michael jackson, no thank you.

    and those that say batman needs robin are wrong, having a robin makes for plots that have to dumb batman down, saying that he can’t take care of himself (which he can). Robin was created to draw young children into the comics, there is no place for a 8-12 year old in a suit fighting people like Heath’s Joker, he would be killed in a much less child friendly way than jason todd within 10 minutes. (if there needs to be a ‘robin’ he should really be a ‘nightwing’ and be almost as old as batman so they can be more like friends and bruce doesnt have to be a pedophile)

    and for the love of god don’t anyone mention bat-mite lol

  56. Chris • January 10, 2009 @ 5:43 PM

    Batman made Bale famous, not the other way around. Tell me why Robin cant be dark again?
    the only reason the bat is dark is because his family was murdered in front of him…oh wait so was dick grayson’s family. They can do whatever they want with the script and make the duo as dark as they want.

  57. chas • November 10, 2009 @ 12:11 PM

    I think it would be cool for robin to come in the picture face it Chris D’Donald was the best robin ever and everybody needs to get a life robin needs to be in the next batman movie rather christian bale likes it or not he has no rite to say he doesnt want a robin in the next batman movie and thats all there is to it period end discussion im out

  58. Joe • June 21, 2012 @ 9:10 AM

    Bale sucks!

  59. Zei Daniels • November 27, 2012 @ 9:47 PM

    The robin character seemed serious enough in the Dark Knight Rises, during the end right before the credits and they tell us that bruse survived and Alfreds vision came true through the Cat woman. But why should I buy it when I can already get a decent copy with torrents? Torrents are what they let movie I reviewers like me who is highly paid, use when they/I are/am watching new stuff and allowing the rest of people who contribute to the industry do their part. I guess reviewing movies has it’s perks because I get them for free all the time, nor am I lieing about it.


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