One of the early trailers forBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justiceshowed Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) looking at a display ofRobin’s costume, featuring a hand-scrawled note presumably from The Joker. It was the first hint that Robin was part of the DCEU. And the costume display featured Robin’s weapon, which most fans assumed was a traditional quarterstaff. But as it turns out, this sidekick actually wielded a much more elaborate, and deadly weapon.Titan Books’Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice: Tech Manualreveals that the display in Bruce Wayne’s Batcave is actually a broken weapon, that once had three blades affixed to the end of this staff.
An excerpt from the book reveals that Robin’s suit was on display as a reminder of what can happen when Batman fails to subdue Gotham’s most dangerous criminals. As it turns out, before filming began,director Zack Snyderdecided to make this weapon a “broken artifact,” even though it was originally designed as a full weapon. Here’s what props masterDoug Harlockerhad to say in the book.
“That was Zack saying, ‘Look, maybe we should just make it look like it’s been broken and smashed.’ So we deconstructed it in order to film it.”
Of course,Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justicedidn’t reveal any details aboutRobin’s death, but the costume display strongly hints that The Joker was responsible for his demise. There has been speculation that Robin’s death may have been what lead to Batman actually killing the villains he goes up against, but it’s also possible that Batman became more comfortable with killing while he was fighting crime with theBoy Wonder. DirectorZack Snyderhad teased in previous interviews that Robin was killed approximately 10 years before the events ofBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
It’s possible that we’ll learn more about Robin’s death in the upcomingSuicide Squad, which hits theaters on August 5. We know thatBen Affleckwill be appearing in that movie as Batman, since he has been seen in set videos, and the first trailer, riding atop The Joker’s high-end sports car. There have been rumors that The Joker plays a big part in a massive prison riot sequence at the end ofSuicide Squad, and that Batman may also confront him during this scene, possibly to avenge the death of Robin, but those details haven’t been confirmed.
Regardless of whether or not we learn more about Robin’s fate in the upcomingDC Extended Universemovies, it’s certainly interesting to learn that this sidekick’s weapon was originally much more elaborate than we saw on the big screen. Some have speculated that the late Robin may be resurrected later on in the DCEU as the Red Hood from the comics, but that hasn’t been confirmed either. Take a look at this image from theBatman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice: Tech Manualbelow, and chime in with your theories.
