Contents
Summary
- DC is developing a Teen Titans movie that could debut Nightwing on the big screen.
- Nightwing is a major A-lister in DC Comics and could logically feature in the new DCU project.
- Nightwing’s previous movie projects were canceled, including a DCEU film in development hell since 2017 and a spin-off from Joel Schumacher’s Batman & Robin
The upcoming DCU may finally crack the code following two previous attempts to make a live-action Nightwing movie happen. Since 1997, DC and Warner Bros. have tried and failed to bring a project together starring Dick Grayson’s Nightwing. However, the answer may finally come in the form of an upcoming DCU project which could be the perfect vehicle for Nightwing’s big-screen debut.
It’s recently been reported that DC Studios is developing a new Teen Titans movie for the upcoming DCU with Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow screenwriter Ana Nogueira penning the script. Depending on the age of the titular team of heroes, this could certainly be an exciting way to introduce Nightwing. Furthermore, a Teen Titans movie may be better for Dick Grayson’s debut than a solo Nightwing project.
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A DCU Titans Movie Could Finally Debut Dick Grayson’s Nightwing On The Big Screen
A Major A-Lister In DC Comics
It’s yet to be revealed which iteration of Teen Titans will be featured in the aforementioned movie, though it stands to reason that some version of Robin will help lead as they have on the page. To that end, Batman’s first Robin Dick Grayson is most commonly associated with the Teen Titans, having been a founding member alongside Aqualad, Kid Flash, and Wonder Girl. Likewise, the most famous roster of Teen Titans (featuring Raven, Starfire, Beast Boy, and Cyborg) not only features Grayson’s Robin but also his evolution into Nightwing, becoming a more independent hero rather than Batman’s sidekick.
Because the upcoming Batman: The Brave and the Bold is confirmed to feature Batman’s fourth Robin and biological son Damian Wayne, the assumption can be made that Dick Grayson will have already become Nightwing in the DCU. This is a very good sign that Teen Titans could logically feature Nightwing if desired. This would also be to DC Studios’ advantage as well, seeing as how Nightwing has become a major A-list hero over the last few years, becoming just as popular and beloved as Batman himself.
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Nightwing’s Canceled Movie Projects Explained
Schumacher Spin-Off And The DCEU
DC Comics and Warner Bros. have tried to make a Nightwing solo feature in the past. Back in 2015, Batman & Robin actor Chris O’Donnell confirmed in an interview with ETOnline that a Nightwing spin-off feature starring his version of Dick Grayson was considered. This was amid Warner Bros. wanting to produce another Batman trilogy following Joel Schumacher’s movie with Nightwing returning in the third proposed film, though the poor reception to Batman Forever and Batman and Robin led to all of those plans being scrapped in their entirety.
Batman & Robin
Serving as the fourth and final installment in Warner Bros.’s original Batman movie series, Batman & Robin sees the caped crusader and his faithful sidekick come up against Mr. Freeze, Poison Ivy, and Bane. The movie also marks the on-screen debut of Batgirl, who is played by American actress Alicia Silverstone.
Director
Joel Schumacher
Release Date
June 20, 1997
Studio(s)
Warner Bros. Pictures
Distributor(s)
Warner Bros. Pictures
Writers
Peter Tomasi
Runtime
125minutes
Budget
$125 million
More recently, a DCEU Nightwing movie was in development with director Chris McKay as early as 2017, though it remained in “development hell” for years. Ultimately, the project was recently confirmed to have been canceled thanks to the new DC Universe in the works and the previous DCEU having officially ended. Regardless, a DCEU-connected Nightwing film would have no doubt been bizarre considering Zack Snyder’s confirmation that the murdered Robin referenced in 2016 Batman v Superman was revealed to be Dick Grayson rather than Jason Todd as many had initially assumed.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
In this high-action film by Zack Snyder, the two DC superheroes face off against one another in a conflict spurred on by the villainous Lex Luthor. The film also features WonderWoman playing a role in the fight against Doomsday and other villains from beyond the Earth. As the world’s two most powerful superheroes prepare to destroy each other, an unexpected commonality brings them together to defeat their real enemy.
Release Date
March 24, 2016
Studio(s)
DC
, Warner Bros. Pictures
Distributor(s)
Warner Bros. Pictures
Runtime
152 minutes
Budget
$250 million
Nightwing’s Titans Have Replaced The Justice League In The Current Comics
The League Is On Hiatus
It’s also worth noting that Dick Grayson’s Nightwing is currently leading not the Teen Titans but the more singular “Titans” in the current DC Comics era. Having all become adults who recently saved the world during Dark Crisis following the incapacitation of the Justice League, it was decided that Nightwing would usher in a new era with his fellow heroes while the League goes on hiatus. Featuring an iconic roster including Wally West’s Flash, Donna Troy, Raven, Starfire, Beast Boy, and Cyborg, these Titans have officially replaced the Justice League.
To that end, it might be in the DCU’s best interest to have an older group of Titans for their upcoming movie. It would certainly be a dynamic way to set them apart from past versions seen on-screen with their various shows and animated features. It could almost be more in line with HBO Max’s recently concluded live-action Titans series, a DC show set in its own universe that gained a sizable fanbase (while also featuring Grayson’s evolution from Robin to Nightwing.)
Titans
This gritty take on the “Teen Titans” franchise follows young heroes from across the DC Universe as they come of age. Dick Grayson (aka Nightwing) and Rachel Roth, a special girl possessed by a strange darkness, get involved in a conspiracy that could bring Hell on Earth. Hot-headed Starfire and lovable Beast Boy join them along the way as together they become a surrogate family and team of heroes fighting evil.
Cast
Brenton Thwaites
, Chelsea Zhang
, Curran Walters
, Alan Ritchson
, Anna Diop
, Lindsey Gort
, Minka Kelly
, Esai Morales
, Ryan Potter
, Teagan Croft
, Joshua Orpin
, Seamus Dever
Release Date
October 12, 2018
Seasons
3
Network
HBO Max
Directors
Akiva Goldsman
, Greg Berlanti
Showrunner
Akiva Goldsman
How Nightwing Leading The Titans Could Be Better Than A Solo Movie
The Titans Can Set Nightwing Apart From Batman
A Teen Titans movie starring Nightwing could also be a great way to highlight all that sets him apart from Batman. Nightwing has surpassed his mentor over the years with the achievement of moving past his own trauma and darkness to become a better, stronger, and more empathetic hero, rather than perpetually dwelling on said darkness like the Dark Knight. To that end, a Teen Titans movie could arguably show more of Nightwing’s positivity and optimism compared to Batman’s darkness better than a solo feature with Grayson on his own.
It’s been very well established on the page that while the Justice League is a professional team of like-minded heroes seeking to do good, the Titans are a family who’ve all grown up together. Their team dynamics are much stronger as a result, and much of that comes from Nightwing’s leadership. All things considered, the DCU’s Teen Titans movie could be the perfect way in which Nightwing’s big-screen debut finally happens over a solo project.