Thomas Roach on why a female Robin would be good for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice….
There’s been some speculation that Jena Malone will actually be playing the female version of Robin, Carrie Kelley, in 2016s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice – first when Malone visited the set a few months back, then a recent picture of her with red hair on Instagram, and most recently the reported confirmation from an extra that the film features a female Robin. This may all still be coincidence and the “extra” could be lying about a female Robin being in the film, capitalizing on Jena Malone’s recent hair change. But, if it is true, a female Robin may actually do the film some good.
Firstly comic book movies lack strong female characters and this would be an opportunity to rectify that. The film is set to feature Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman – as of yet we don’t know how big her role will be, but we do know she will have her own solo movie in 2017 so this film may lay the ground work for that. Why not add another female character? By making Batman’s sidekick a woman allows females to have more representation in comic book movies. Fans are crying out for female standalone movies, so introducing a female sidekick is one step closer to that.
Let’s face it, Robin is rather hated by a lot of fans. Usually the serious tone of Batman does not always lend itself to a young sidekick joining the Caped Crusader when fighting crime. The versions of Robin in the comics are usually teenagers and cannot always be taken seriously. Chris O’Donnell in Batman Forever and Batman & Robin was not well liked but that may have had more to do with the movies. Fans were also not keen on the idea of Robin appearing in The Dark Knight trilogy in any form. In The Dark Knight Rises however a wink to the audience was given that the rookie cop John Blake was Robin. It is revealed that his birth name is Robin and he chooses not to use it. This version was far from the comic version, so escaped criticism. However by using the female version of Robin, it almost gives the character a clean slate. Yes we have seen Robin on the big screen before, but not a female version.
Using the female version of Robin that first appears in The Dark Knight Returns would suit the film. Zack Synder has said that The Dark Knight Returns greatly inspired the story but is not a direct adaptation. Hence why this is a Batman v Superman movie. The Dark Knight Returns has proven to be one of the most popular Batman stories ever. As the film is borrowing from the story anyway, they should use as much as possible. Carrie Kelley may not have been as popular as other versions of Robin but there was certainly something special about making the character female for that story. It may be a risk to use a female Robin, but fans like risks.
Overall we currently don’t know if this rumour is true or not but there is plenty of information to suggest that it is. However if it does turn out to be false it may be worth the filmmakers considering using a female Robin in future films. So far there seems to be a positive response to Malone potentially playing Robin, so if it is true some fans will certainly be happy. A female Robin has not been done before in live action so why not give it a chance? The filmmakers and fans alike may surprise themselves at how well received it is.
Do you think Jena Malone will be a good Robin? Do you believe this rumour? Let us know…
Thomas Roach
Originally published October 18, 2014. Updated April 13, 2018.
