15 Changes the DCEU Needs To Make For Its Upcoming Movies
By Jenn Reid
Young Justice. Image via Cartoon Network
Bring In The Sidekicks
Apparently, Christopher Nolan hated Robin. He went on the record saying Robin didn’t fit into his Dark Knight Trilogy, and Christian Bale even went so far as to say he wouldn’t want to be involved in a movie with Robin. That explains whatever the Robin John Blake thing was about, then.
Unfortunately, the DCEU seems to be following that example. Batman is operating solo, with hints that Robin (Jason Todd) is dead. Each of our protagonists is a lone hero, the only person with their powers or abilities, coming together to join a Justice League.
Do you know how many great characters we’re missing out on with this approach? No Robin, no Batgirl, no Batfamily. No Aqualad, no Kid Flash? These characters are well-liked and fun and create a grounding, human experience for the heroes. For some reason, directors think the sidekicks are goofy or take away from the story, but they could be so much more.
Let’s look back over at our friends in Marvel for a second. Captain America has sidekicks – he has a whole side team! He’s got Bucky, Black Widow and Falcon. Before that, he had the Howling Commandos. He has friends that he works with when he’s not leading the Avengers. Thor has his warrior friends from Asgard. Tony has Rhodey. They’re all heroes in their own right, but they exist to serve the main hero.
These sidekicks help out in battle, act as confidantes, and make the main hero feel like a real and fully developed person. They also exist as someone the hero can vent to, someone who can take their side when there’s tension amongst the Avengers.
Why not let the Justice League heroes have that? Everyone needs someone in their corner. Sidekicks don’t have to be kids with cheesy catchphrases.