WARNING: The following contains possible spoilers for Warner Bros.' "Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice" and other future DC Comics properties.
Recently, a rumor popped up that suggested Zack Snyder's upcoming "Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice" will feed directly into Ben Affleck's solo Batman film. Specifically, it was thought that Jared Leto's Joker - who fans will officially meet in "Suicide Squad" - killed Jason Todd, aka the second Robin, at some point in the past of the DC Extended Universe. But that character is expected to return as the Red Hood in the rumored solo Batman film that Affleck will direct.
But if Jason Todd/Red Hood exists in the DCEU, does that mean previous Robins also exist?
"Naturally, the question will come up about whether or not Red Hood will be referenced as the second Robin and if Dick Grayson, the first Robin, will play a role," JoBlo reported. "According to our sources, Grayson is now Nightwing and will be referenced but not seen in Batman V Superman. However, Grayson is expected to show up in the solo Bat-film, assisting Batman in his battle against Red Hood and The Joker."
Interesting, how very interesting. Not only does this plan combine two of the most famous Batman comic story lines - 1988's "A Death in the Family" and 2005's "Under the Red Hood" - but it also establishes a rich history and mythology in the DCEU while introducing attractive side characters.
Beyond that, this plan also sets up Leto's Joker as the true Big Bad of the DCEU. No, the Joker isn't the same type of physical threat that Marvel's Thanos or even "Dawn of Justice's" (rumored) Doomsday is. But hinting at his murderous past in "Batman V Superman," introducing him in "Suicide Squad" and then pushing him to the forefront in a solo Caped Crusader flick helps to develop him as a genuine threat we've come to know and fear over time. That's how "Star Wars" made Darth Vader and the Emperor such imposing villains, and it's partly why Marvel's one-off bad guys have been so forgettable.
This is all still unconfirmed, but fans should hope this is how Warner Bros. proceeds with the DCEU.
