Back in February of this year it was announced that The LEGO Batman Movie helmer Chris McKay is set to swap the world of DC animation for the live-action DC Extended Universe as director on a Nightwing feature, and the filmmaker has been speaking on Twitter about the appeal of the character and what he’s looking for when it comes to the casting of Dick Grayson.
The story of Dick Grayson, becoming Robin, then becoming Nightwing played out for us, the audience, in the comics in REAL TIME. https://t.co/icAEA8Imkz
— Chris McKay (@buddboetticher) July 16, 2017
It wasn’t a flashback. We experienced it. So all of Robin/Nightwings successes and failures we were along for the ride.
— Chris McKay (@buddboetticher) July 16, 2017
And people that underestimated Robin or dismissed him perhaps had their opinions changed as we watched him “grow up” right in front of us.
— Chris McKay (@buddboetticher) July 16, 2017
His relationships, his conflicts with Batman et al felt real to me because he was the window character with which we experienced Gotham city
— Chris McKay (@buddboetticher) July 16, 2017
Responding to a fan who said they hope the actor has as much love for Dick Grayson as McKay does, the director responded:
He has too. It has to be full commitment. Every day. It is going to be gruelling from a martial arts, gymnastics and stunt perspective. https://t.co/mYII8osKxI
— Chris McKay (@buddboetticher) July 16, 2017
Also emotionally taxing. It’s going to be real.
— Chris McKay (@buddboetticher) July 16, 2017
SEE ALSO: Exclusive interview with Chris McKay on The LEGO Batman Movie and LEGO Universe
As yet, we don’t have a release date or production start date for Nightwing, but that may change this coming Saturday when Warner Bros. holds its DC Films panel at the San Diego Comic-Con International. In the meantime, do let us know who you’d like to see cast as the DCEU’s Dick Grayson in the comments below…
Originally published July 18, 2017. Updated April 16, 2018.
