Dark Knight Mania

Video: Grayson Trailer Makes Robin Look Badass

Posted by Brian C. Gibson (brian@filmschoolrejects.com) on July 17, 2008

So this is an example of how DC could be making their films. Other than Batman Begins/The Dark Knight, I don’t think DC has really brought us a great film in a long time. An actor named John Fiorella has made a childhood idea come to life by creating a five minute trailer for Batman’s sidekick Robin. I swear if you watch this, you will think Dick Grayson is badass. Check out John’s website if you would like to download the script for Grayson.

If you have any suggestions for our Officially Cool feature, please send an email over to Brian@filmschoolrejects.com.

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Comments2008-07-17+12%3A15%3A59Brian+C.+Gibson

Cole Abaius says:
July 17th, 2008 at 9:29 am

They’re finally making a sequel to the 1966 Batman: The Movie? It’s about time.

I believe by “badass”, you meant “cheesy”.

And here I thought you were going to prove my point about Robin being able to be done well. You got my hopes up for the last time, Gibson.

Zap Rowsdower says:
July 17th, 2008 at 9:30 am

Ugh. Why spend all of that time and money only to have such crappy, awful, poorly-synched sound?

Zap Rowsdower says:
July 17th, 2008 at 9:31 am

And I fully agree with Cole, as well. Cheesy as a mother fucker. This and Batman: Dead End are lauded by fans but they are both so goddamn cheesy and awful. I don’t get it.

DAVID says:
July 17th, 2008 at 10:15 am

Yeah if this came out in the 70’s it wouldve been fine. but comn,this looks like a B movie with a lead whos lame.

David says:
July 17th, 2008 at 10:49 am

Sorry but that was absolutely terrible. Unendingly bad. And I mean all bad. Bad acting, bad story, bad costumes, bad directing…just all bad. They need to go watch The Dark Knight and see how it should be done.

Colin says:
July 17th, 2008 at 10:59 am

Officially cool?! Have some standards, please, ’cause this is cheesy fanboy crap.

Adam says:
July 17th, 2008 at 10:59 am

“I swear if you watch this, you will think Dick Grayson is badass.”

Nope.

Adam Sweeney says:
July 17th, 2008 at 11:03 am

For the first half of the trailer I could have sworn it was going to be called “See Robin Run.” I understand fan films can’t compete with actual films but you have to try to find decent actors. And the end scene where Robin does the obligatory jump in front of the bullet…horrid. Add that with the Robin pulling a Mr. Mom in the bathroom and it doesn’t get much worse.

And who was the girl who went to the Eartha Kitt School for Acting? “Be careful, this kitten still bites?” No, Selina my dear, only your acting does.

I speak for all young filmmaking hopefuls when I say please stop.

Jensen says:
July 17th, 2008 at 12:38 pm

Actually I rather liked it. I thought it was fun and there’s nothing wrong with a little cheese now and then.

Josh Radde says:
July 17th, 2008 at 12:57 pm

It’s “Officially Cool” because there’s a subculture of people who love this shit. Yes, it’s bad, but when I was at Wizard World people were watching this trailer at all times. There were even DVDs for this trailer and the 5 minute Batman: Dead End that came–with SPECIAL FEATURES. So whether or not Brian thinks this is officially cool, people definitely do. I do think its interesting how much time and money must’ve gone into this as well. Those are some devoted friends.

Adam Quigley says:
July 17th, 2008 at 4:25 pm

Wow, you guys are being incredibly harsh against a fan-made trailer. I can only assume you’re oblivious in regards to the effort and cost that goes into making a Hollywood film.

“They need to go watch The Dark Knight and see how it should be done.”

Seriously? What the hell is that? You’re going to compare a movie with a budget of $150 million, a cast of some of the best actors in the world, and a production that lasted several years with a fully-paid crew including editors, costume designers, etc. to THIS? It’s a fake trailer for a movie that probably cost a couple of thousand bucks (at most), had almost no crew, was made during the cast/crew’s days off from their full-time jobs, etc.

These people deserve our supports, not our ridicule. Give these guys a budget of $100 million, and I bet they could work magic on the big screen.

Kim says:
July 17th, 2008 at 5:53 pm

Nah, this trailer stinks. I’ve seen short films and trailers made by aspiring filmmakers on absolutely no budget and they were alot better than this. Sorry, I wouldn’t give these guys $100 million.

Rob Hunter says:
July 17th, 2008 at 6:12 pm

Nope, I’m with Adam Q on this one… even if all of the criticisms above were true this short still looks as good as half the films that reach theaters these days. It has obvious faults, but c’mon, it’s a fan film. It shows creativity, ingenuity, and a love of both film and the DC universe.

Scanain says:
July 17th, 2008 at 7:23 pm

I didn’t get bored once during the entire trailer! Like Rob said, way worse out there (and ofcourse better) but as a home made quasi super hero trailer for one of the most agravating comic book characters (in my opinion) they made an entertaining stab at it. I liked the she-jokers most…

Ryan Rubin says:
July 17th, 2008 at 8:16 pm

I really don’t think a low budget excuses how bad this is. There were better actors and writers in my high school drama class.

entertainmenttodayandbeyond says:
July 17th, 2008 at 8:59 pm

That trailers been on you tube for a long time. I agree I think its pretty good! The guy who plays Robin produced it for I believe a 150,000 bucks!

John says:
July 19th, 2008 at 2:22 pm

Ok people some of you need to get a life and please keep things in perspective. Yes some of the acting is not top quality . But the energy and love is there. The guy put up $150,00.00 it’s not a 80-100 million dollar major release.

Johnny Boy says:
August 14th, 2008 at 10:03 pm

This is no where near as good as Batman: Dead End. But even then, both Batman Dead and
and Grayson are definitely NOT how comicbook films should be made… They are great as
fanfilms, but that’s all.

Johnny Boy says:
August 14th, 2008 at 10:05 pm

I think it was produced for 17,000. NOT 150,000 bucks.

Nackturion says:
October 13th, 2008 at 7:58 pm

The quality may be lacking, but what strikes me, is the idea which has merit. This concept could have alot of potential for a major motion picture, perhaps even a JLA event. It’s good to at least see ideas that dont ignore the rest of the universe. Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman are the trinity of DC universe. JLA stemmed from them and they are best friends. If it was Hollywood, you’d see a movie about Batman dying, and just Robin being intrested. Batman has no friends and all you know :/

So, all in all, I love the concept and could see it working for a major motion picture if tweaked and smoothed, probably for a JLA type movie. Though perhaps not with Batman dying, but perhaps thought dead (but capture or some such).