In 1989, the film “Batman” made a significant impact on the cinematic superhero genre. Tim Burton’s rendition of Batman was influential in shaping the modern superhero film landscape. Interestingly, there were initial considerations for Kiefer Sutherland to play the role of Batman’s sidekick, Robin, which could have led to a very different portrayal of the dynamic duo on screen.
In an unaired draft of Burton’s first Batman film, there were plans to include Robin, Batman’s sidekick. In a 2012 interview with On the Box, Kiefer Sutherland revealed that Warner Bros. approached him to play the role of Robin. Sutherland had just completed filming “Stand By Me” and “Young Guns” when he received the offer. Warner Brothers wanted him to portray the iconic character opposite Michael Keaton’s Batman. Sutherland humorously recounted his initial reaction to the proposal, stating, “I was like: ‘As in Robin with tights? No!’ I didn’t [realize] they were going to make the coolest movie ever!”
Prior to Burton’s film, Burt Ward portrayed Robin in the popular 1960s Batman TV series. Sutherland’s reluctance to take on the role is understandable, given the character’s history and the potential challenges of bringing him to life on the big screen. Despite declining the opportunity, Sutherland seemed to reflect on it with good humor, acknowledging what could have been.
In 1989’s “Batman,” Kiefer Sutherland almost signed on for the role of Robin before it was eventually cut from the script. Interestingly, Robin was also slated to appear in an early draft of “Batman Returns,” with actor Marlon Wayans already cast for the role. Despite the character being ultimately cut from the film, Wayans still received compensation for his work and continues to collect residuals. It’s quite an unusual situation where an actor was paid for a role that never materialized on screen.
In the Batman movie adaptations, Chris O’Donnell portrayed Batman’s sidekick in “Batman Forever” and “Batman & Robin.” The movies did not receive favorable reviews, leading to a decrease in the portrayal of Robin in subsequent cinematic adaptations. Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s character in “The Dark Knight Rises” hinted at Robin, but it was more of an Easter egg, revealed at the end when John Blake’s legal name is disclosed as “Robin.” Zack Snyder intended to include an epic confrontation between Joker (played by Jared Leto) and Robin in “Justice League 2,” but the plans never came to fruition. In Snyder’s films, the implication was that Robin had been killed, with Batman (played by Ben Affleck) sorrowfully gazing at his spray-painted costume.
Despite the setbacks, there is a continued interest in producing Batman movies. Although Kiefer Sutherland may no longer be suitable for the role of Robin due to his age, there could be an opportunity for him to be involved in one of the upcoming Warner Bros. Batman movie projects in some capacity.
