Chris McKay on what makes Nightwing an interesting character

Last Updated on July 31, 2021

I was a little surprised last week when it was revealed that not only would we be getting a standalone NIGHTWING movie, but that Chris McKay, director of the recently released THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE, was in talks to direct. Although the news was unexpected, I'm certainly curious to see how McKay plans on tackling Batman's former sidekick. While chatting on the Shanlian on Batman podcast recently, McKay spoke about what makes Nightwing an interesting character as well as how he stands apart from the Dark Knight.

Bruce Wayne in my mind came from privilege and I think that’s why he’s more dour and angry. He’s self-made as far as his becoming all of these cool things we like him for…Dick Grayson didn’t come from that. Dick Grayson came from a circus family. Essentially people who aren’t rich and they are self-made. They’re entertainers. They’re gymnasts. They’re people who live hand-to-mouth and that’s something that informs him and his attitude…he’s a fascinating guy to me, because he had all the same things happen to him.

He’s got some of the same negatives as Bruce Wayne and then from a society standpoint – obviously he was adopted into Bruce Wayne’s life…but he didn’t start that way. He’s this guy who has all these negatives and then even more negatives and yet he remains…Those are things why I like Dick Grayson, why I like the idea of Nightwing as a movie.

There have been several characters who have held the mantle of Robin over the many years of the Batman franchise, but we really haven't seen all that much of the character in the DCEU beyond the glimpse of a battle-scarred Robin suit worn by the now deceased Jason Todd. It will be interesting to see how Dick Grayson, who was Robin before Jason Todd, will fit into the existing DCEU and what his relationship with Ben Affleck's Batman will be like.

Chris McKay's THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE is currently playing in theaters, so make sure to check out a review of the film from our own Chris Bumbray.