Joseph Gordon-Levitt as John Blake III

[thej0ker]

Originally Posted by Tim_Riggins

Did you even read my response?!

Well, you replied fast. But tell me, JB being just a cop, its "fine" or "banal"?

[Poeman]

He does look like a good Robin...But maybe he takes over as Batman after Bats retires?

[Carnotaur3]

John Blake's function in the film is probably hinted at in the trailer.

There's a divide between the police and the citizens of Gotham, especially the poor. The kid is from an orphanage. It's possible Blake is a purely good individual who is trying to unite the people of Gotham. He's Batman's unofficial cheerleader. It helps that he's a lowly beat cop, because he uses that authority to get rid of misinformation.

[batlovescatDC]

After watching the trailer I'm suprised at how important his character obviously is to the movie. I was expecting his role to be somewhat subsantial but not that much.

I think it would be really cool if he does end up using the code name "Azrael" like it was rumored before. But I really don't think he's going to (and really don't want him to, honestly) end up being a character from the comics.

[Léo Ho Tep]

Originally Posted by Tim_Riggins

Raganork, obviously, you don't know how to read. I'm saying that casting JGL, it'd make sense if it were for a special role, a special something, if he turns out to be just a cop, fine with it if the character's great, but it'd be totally awesome if he turned out to be something MORE.

Do you understand or not?!

This message will appear as slightly arrogant, but it's because your answer seemed arrogant to me "smart way"........

Harvey Bullock, Renee Montoya, or even Crispus Allen are really special characters in the bat-mythology. and yet, as such, (no question or spectre), they are just cops. Cops are special in Gotham.

If he turns out to be more, I'm afraid this movie will be packed with TOO MUCH twists.

[Cassandra Cain]

Originally Posted by batlovescatDC

After watching the trailer I'm suprised at how important his character obviously is to the movie. I was expecting his role to be somewhat subsantial but not that much.

I think it would be really cool if he does end up using the code name "Azrael" like it was rumored before. But I really don't think he's going to (and really don't want him to, honestly) end up being a character from the comics.

But you have to admit, that would be a flippin sweet Easter Egg for us fanboys. :

[batlovescatDC]

Oh, I definitely think it would be awesome if he used that code name. But I don't want him to end up actually being Azrael, or Robin or any other comic book character. The code name would be really cool enough for me.

[DrMylesOBoogie]

BOF has repeatedly said that JGL is "more than just a beat cop". They also had a piece talking about how Nolan would most likely include Robin in some form to make this series a definitive take on Batman.

[The Batman]

Yeah, because we all know how credible post 2005 BOF is....

[batlovescatDC]

He said that they might, and that they might not. And BOF has been wrong about things before. There is no way that Nolan is going to have JGL actually become Robin. Maybe a character that's an homage to Robin, Azrael, Nightwing... something. But I don't think Nolan is going to have him actually BECOME any character from the comics.

I may be wrong though... but it will sincerely shock me if it happens. No matter what the Robin thing WILL NOT happen. Nolan, Bale, and others have all said there will NEVER be a Robin in their story.

[Jordanstine]

I forgot who mentioned it, but I like the idea that the movie ends with JGL becoming "Robin" or "Azrael" aka the next Dark Knight after Batman is believed to have passed (don't think Nolan will ever kill Bats).

[Iceman]

Originally Posted by Poeman

He does look like a good Robin...But maybe he takes over as Batman after Bats retires?

If anyone's going to take over I'd rather they at least be mentioned somewhere in the previous films. Not saying it wouldn't work with the arc of this film though and it would be a good way for the symbol to live on.

[The Guard]

I just don't see why they'd make him Dick Grayson, but have him going under an assumed name. It seems really unlikely at this point. What would the story purpose of that be if he's a good guy?

[Just_Human]

Originally Posted by Carnotaur3

John Blake's function in the film is probably hinted at in the trailer.

There's a divide between the police and the citizens of Gotham, especially the poor. The kid is from an orphanage. It's possible Blake is a purely good individual who is trying to unite the people of Gotham. He's Batman's unofficial cheerleader. It helps that he's a lowly beat cop, because he uses that authority to get rid of misinformation.

He is the kind of person Bruce wanted to inspire in BB

Not the copycats, not the freaks.

But a regular Gotham citizen.

And I think it's also relates to Harvey's comment in TDK : " Im not a hero ... Gotham's finest, they are the heroes "

[craigdbfan]

I don't think he's Dick Grayson. He's John Blake. I think most people who are bringing up the Robin idea sort of mean like a spiritual successor in that he isn't going to run around with red and green tights along with a domino mask.

However I still think that he may don the cowl. Not sure how good of a possibility that is but it's certainly there given all the allure. Like I said earlier Nolan's Batman series is no stranger to subterfuge.

Right now though him being a very courageous cop who will go above and beyond his duties does seem like the most likely and logical guess.

[Robin91939]

Originally Posted by batlovescatDC

There is no way that Nolan is going to have JGL actually become Robin. Maybe a character that's an homage to Robin, Azrael, Nightwing... something. But I don't think Nolan is going to have him actually BECOME any character from the comics.

Originally Posted by The Guard

I just don't see why they'd make him Dick Grayson, but have him going under an assumed name. It seems really unlikely at this point. What would the story purpose of that be if he's a good guy?

He doesn't have to become Robin, in costume. He can be Dick Grayson. And, Guard -- him hiding his name, etc could fit into the story in this fashion...

He is a child from the orphanage that we have now seen him attempt to protect, all grown up. He was orphaned by crime, and inspired by the Batman to try and do good. However, during his days as an orphan, he accumulated a small rap sheet, petty stuff -- trying to stay alive. So, he had to create the name and the person of John Blake to become a police officer and to try to do good.

I think once Batman confides in him and learns to trust him, "John Blake" will trust the Batman and confide in him that his given name is Richard Grayson and he will be instrumental in continuing the legacy of the Batman...

I think, if done well -- this could possibly work. It would incorporate MUCH of Dick Grayson's backstory, even the later history of him becoming a cop in Bludhaven. They could even say he was arrested as a youth for attempting to perform acts of vigilantism... I could see this being a Nolan twist on the character of Robin -- a REAL possibility. I am not sure how I feel about it, truth be told. It will need to be handled pitch perfect.

It is a nice way to honor the character and the importance of Dick Grayson -- but, if true, I really wish they had not been afraid of the character and used him... Who knows, maybe we'll find out that Bruce/Batman KNEW John Blake/Richard Grayson for sometime during this 8 year gap and they work something out there...

But it is seeming to be a more and more real possibility.

I DON'T think that he will become Batman, or wear the cowl at the end of the film. Batman will either live on or die with Bruce. Otherwise, it is the constant "blowing up of the balloon" which this film set out to NOT do.

-R

[MrWayne]

Yea but what he didn't know was that "Gothams finest" were some corrupt mofo's who set his ass up and his gf too!

[GregComicFan]

Originally Posted by Léo Ho Tep

Harvey Bullock, Renee Montoya, or even Crispus Allen are really special characters in the bat-mythology. and yet, as such, (no question or spectre), they are just cops. Cops are special in Gotham.

If he turns out to be more, I'm afraid this movie will be packed with TOO MUCH twists.

Perfectly said. My thoughts exactly.

The thing I don't understand about John Blake being Nolan's "twist" on Robin is if that's true... WHY NOT JUST CALL HIM RICHARD GRAYSON FROM THE VERY START?

If Nolan truly wants to have that character in his world, why give him a different name, or go by an alias... just call him Grayson... and have him be a supporter of Batman, a good cop, Bat's cheerleader, a crime fighter in his own right... but he never puts on a Robin/Nightwing costume... end of story.

Calling him "John Blake" throws the whole theory into disarray for me.

Ducard is Ras Al Ghul
Miranda Tate is... well, we all know
John Blake is Richard Grayson...

too many fake-outs with people altering their names.

[The_Raganork]

He's not Dick Greyson...

[Just_Human]

Originally Posted by Raganork8

He's not Dick Greyson...

Hey Rag, what do you think of my analysis ?

Thanks :-)

[AnneFan]

Originally Posted by Raganork8

He's not Dick Greyson...

Is he Dick Grayson?

[The_Raganork]

Originally Posted by Just_Human

Hey Rag, what do you think of my analysis ?

Thanks :-)

It's what I think

Originally Posted by AnneFan

Is he Dick Grayson?

He's not him either.

[Just_Human]

Originally Posted by Raganork8

It's what I think.

Thanks

[GregComicFan]

You know... if Nolan wants to make Bane's war truly disgusting, unsettling, and horrific for the audience, it's very possible he created this John Blake character just for audiences to fall in love with........AND THEN KILL HIM!!!!!

It's what he did to Rachel. Nolan created her. Nolan killed her.

Admit it: someone in TDKR has to die.... Bruce? Lucius? Alfred? or the new guy, John Blake?

I think Blake stands a better chance of dying than Bruce.

[MrWayne]

What I haven't seen is Batman and Blake together in a scene. I wonder if that's going to happen at all.