I could see one possible way of making Robin/Dick Grayson work for Nolan's film. I like Batman as a loner. Especially the way it's going now. He's at his best when he's the lone creature of the night. I hate the sidekicks idea to heroes and the superhero teams also. Thats not my Batman. But Robin is different he could work because he essentially is, Batman. Just cut from a different cloth. Robin's origin has a thematic connection to Batman's in that both see their parents killed by criminals, creating an urge to battle the criminal element. Bruce sees a chance to direct the anger and rage that Dick feels in a way that he himself can not, thus creating a father/son bond and understanding between the two. That makes a better story in my opinion.
If they were to include Robin in the Nolan universe, this is how I would like to see it tastefully done.
"And here, we.......GO!"
In Gotham City the Dark Knight/Bruce Wayne is having trouble striking fear into his enemies and the citizens of Gotham. The new TV/Cartoon "The Caped Crusader" (Think the 60s show only more fantastic) based on The Batman's actual "adventures" now airing on every TV in Gotham has now established Batman as an outcast and laughing stalk rather than a a brooding creature of the night, like we saw him in Batman Begins, The Dark Knight etc. While the show features the non-fictional Batman it also introduces the fictional character, Robin (Batman's new crime fighting partner). Since this is a story within a story the Batman in the show has no relation to Bruce Wayne. (instead he is an alien from Batton) Batman is still the vigilante Gotham makes him out to be but this show is merely tarnishing his rep with his enemies with the camp of the actors, props, and gags.
With Batman no longer being feared, Wayne decideds to give into his public image and hang up his cape and cowl. He finds that being an actual playboy billionarehas it's perks, and is much better than the Dark Knight. Later he has his run in with Dick Grayson, (who also has no relation to "The Caped Crusader TV Show") an 10-11 year old who witnesses the brutal and grusome murder of his parents (instead of being acrobats they were instead owners of a wealthy circus company in Gotham with connections to the Wayne family and other billionares) by Tony Zucco (a member of Carmine Falcone's destroyed Mafia empire. Bruce Wayne, who is in the audience, takes pity on the boy, as they are both the orphaned sons of parents murdered in their presence. Upon hearing of Dick's telling of what he saw, the police fears that he will have no place to go, as he is a material witness, but Bruce steps in and partially adopts young Dick, whom no one else wants considering he's still a target for witnessing the murder) At first hesitant, Wayne with the persuasion of the GPD, the simple fact that this was essentially the same incident that happened to him, and saving him from the uncaring juvenile services system decides to take Grayson in as his "son". Strangely the resemblence of Grayson to his "father", Bruce Wayne, is uncanny. The two at Wayne's charity functions are often thought of actually being father and son to those who haven't heard the real story.
Zucco arrives back in Gotham after months of hiding. He is ordered by "insert mob boss name" to take out Grayson before he spills his guts. (His father had something to do with the mob, and they assume Dick has information against them) With the emergence of a new villian (Another plot. Man-Bat? Two-Face? Bane? etc.) along with this new crime syndicate and Zucco Batman must step back into the public's eye. Determined, Bruce Wayne establishes a darker, more menacing Batman that puts his enemies close to death, because of the campy "Crusader" show that makes Batman as menacing as Barney. Bruce juggles the life of being a crime fighting vigilante and......a father toward Grayson. Alfred reminds him that Dick is feeling unloved and scared, which prompts Bruce to realize he must spend more time with him. He later comforts the boy and tries to make him feel better, but Dick breaks down in tears and explains that he saw Zucco before the murder, thus making him responsible. Bruce points out he felt the same way when his parents died, but the pain will go away in time, at least for Dick.
This would have to go beyond what we have ever seen before, even with the Joker in the Dark Knight. Bashing heads, gritty fights etc. A really menacing Batman. If Man-Bat was to be included, it could be part of the story that the people actually begin to fear Batman again because they think this blood hungry creature is The Dark Knight, full throttle. With the body count rising, the City decideds to cancel "The Caped Crusader" to Wayne's liking, but at the same time an unwanted scenario occurs, the apprehension or killing of The Batman by Gotham's finest! (Which Gordon wants nothing to do with leaving yet another plot other than Dick Grayson, the villian/villian's, and the identity crisis)
Later an attack is made that threatens Bruce's life by Zucco. At the rebuilt Wayne Manor, Wayne is mortally wounded by Tony. Feeling guilty yet again Grayson runs away not only for his own safety but for his guardians also. A new issue thickens when Dick is captured and upon learning that Grayson doesn't have the information they sought they hold him for ransom for everything Wayne owns. Batman while still recovering from his injuries goes out on nightly hunts for his "son". And even overcomes the villian/villians, and clears his name.
After finding Dick, the Mob, and Zucco (who Grayson ultimately despises) Batman defeats them and saves the boy. In a final confrontation Zucco threatens the Dick's life at gun point only to be stopped by Batman. Zucco does not die and is sent to jail. Vengeful, Grayson lashes out at Batman who brings him back to the "new" Batcave and reveals himself, with the help of Alfred, as Bruce Wayne. He then suggests that Dick's "temporary" stay become indefinite and offers him a place as his crime partner to avenge his parents as he had, to which Dick eagerly accepts.
The next movie or movies can establish Grayson's alter ego.
-It's important to note that he becomes Robin after years of training so it's not obvious that Wayne's adopted son and Robin are one in the same.
After years of training (the same as Wayne with the Leauge of Shadows), Grayson is ready to fight along side Batman and hunt the criminals that created them. (Considering he was much younger than himself and ready earilier, Bruce still made sure he didn't become his partner until he was old enough out of fear of the boy's life) Wayne introduces Grayson to his new body armor, a redisgned black and crimson blood colored Begins suit, (unless destroyed, give him one of Batman's older suits since we know every film introduces a new suit) a cowl from the 10,000 mass produced selection without the ears, (no domino mask here/it does have white lenses though) a the memory cloth cape, and last but not least the famous gauntlets that were given to Bruce by Ducard, his mentor. Grayson utilizes all of Batman's weapons and becomes just as dangerous as his "father".
After several of nightly hunts along side Batman. Crime is at is's lowest. Robin rarely makes puns or sidecracking jokes, he is just as determined to rid "his" city of crime as Batman. (though he does lighten the moment several times considering he's not as "dark" as Batman) The genreal public and criminals dub him.........ROBIN, after the old TV show that mocked Batman.
If Robin is established in Nolans films like this i'd have no problem seeing him on screen again. (Sans nipples and the letter "R" of course) The public needs to name him Robin, and what better way then a campy cartoon that is similar to the old 60s show. Just imagine seeing Bale's/Wayne's distaste to seeing a humorous version of himself? I think this would completely change the general audiences view of Batman. He would no longer be that campy character if something was similar was shown in Batman's "real" universe. He'd cringe, he'd quit.........
