10 Things You Didn’t Know About Batman Returns

3. Robin Was Meant To Be In It

Before Tim Burton joined the 1989 Batman movie, script work had already begun. Robin featured in many of the drafts, but Burton ultimately decided not to feature the character in his first Bat-movie. By the time that Batman Returns entered production, though, the Boy Wonder was back in the scripts. Burton worked closely with DC Comics to design a new Robin more befitting his gothic cinematic vision. Neal Adams came up with some concept art that Warner Bros, Burton and DC all seemed to like, featuring darker tinges to the colouring, a redesigned mask and less bare skin. The process of including Robin in the movie got so far along that Marlon Wayans had been cast in the role and gone for a costume fitting, while Kenner had produced a tie-in action figure. When Wayans came on board, Robin€™s backstory was rewritten. Previously he€™d been a white gang leader before joining Batman, but now he was a black mechanic. There was some fan backlash at the casting of an African-American Robin, and at the idea of a comedic actor like Wayans taking the part. Ultimately, the character was written out, with screenwriter Daniel Waters calling the Robin "the most worthless character in the world, especially with the loner of loners." Although the casting and backstory was changed, some ideas from this script draft €“ including the funny moment when Robin drives the Batmobile €“ ended up in Batman Forever.
Contributor
Contributor

Film & TV journo. Quite tall.