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Why Nightwing Fans Can Rest Easy That Their Hero is in Good Hands


Fans of Nightwing watched the near-impossible happen when DC greenlit the development of a movie about their crime-fighting hero. The chances of it's actually happening soared when a director was appointed to helm it: Chris McKay of the LEGO Batman fame. Now there's a third reason why they can even be happier: McKay has a good grasp of the character and his out-of-uniform alter ego, Dick Grayson.

To Batman and Nightwing fans, that matters a huge deal. Because Dick Grayson aka Nightwing is not just another skyscraper-swinging vigilante but he is the epitome of the sidekick who grew up and made his own identity. To the very few who don't know, Nightwing was the first Robin who learned his skill from the Master Detective. However - and this is another reason why Nightwing is so popular - the blue-clad hero does not follow his mentor blindly. He's more optimistic, relaxed, socially smart, and has a high EQ. He can lead teams like The Teen Titans and Young Justice, while Batman has a struggle doing so.

McKay showed he understood Grayson's many nuances in his long conversation with the titular host in the podcast Shanlian on Batman. Here's what he said:

"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 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."

McKay obviously doesn't just see Grayson aka Nightwing as Batman Jr. or Daredevil-lite. And that's why many DC fans can look forward to seeing his cinematic hero in action. So would other actors like

Jared

Padalacki

who is open to playing the part.

To see Nightwing in animated action, check the video below.

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