‘Titans’: Brenton Thwaites Explains Why Nightwing Was Saved For Season 2

Brenton Thwaites Dick Grayson Robin Titans Nightwing Batman

Brenton Thwaites discussed why the decision was made to save Dick Grayson’s transition to Nightwing for Titans season 2 and that famous Batman line.

The first season of Titans introduced viewers to Brenton Thwaites’ Dick Grayson after the young hero had already parted ways with Batman. However, unlike his comic book counterpart, Brenton Thwaites’ Dick Grayson had yet to adopt the Nightwing mantle for his crimefighting exploits.

Fortunately for fans, recent set photos have revealed that Brenton Thwaites will suit up as Nightwing at some point during the second of Titans. During an interview with Collider, Brenton Thwaites discussed how Dick Grayson’s journey to becoming Nightwing was going was originally planned for the first season of Titans and how the introduction of Deathstroke in season 2 provides a great opportunity for his character’s evolution:

“When I signed onto this, in an early meeting, they were telling me in the first season, it would be about the transition of Dick becoming Nightwing. That’s where all that training came from, in the preparation that I would become Nightwing. But, the way the story had it, we had other elements to deal with, so we went down a different path. The whole time I was very anxious to read the pages of what the story and the journey of Dick growing into Nightwing would be. For a number of reasons, it provides an opportunity a character to realize his potential as superhero. When that happens, we feel a sense of confidence watching it. We know we have a leader who is going to win every single time on the screen. But what it also does is gives us an amazing opportunity to build up the power of Deathstroke. We spent a lot of energy and time explaining to the audience how dangerous and serious this villain is. I feel it was worth putting that time on the screen and teasing to the audience that this bad guy can only be put down by another intense superhero, which we all know is Nightwing.”

Brenton Thwaites also commented on the famous moment in the Titans series premiere during which Dick Grayson says “F**k Batman.” As Brenton Thwaites explained, the line was meant to express Dick Grayson’s frustration and the resentment he developed during his time as Batman’s ward:

“For starters, I don’t think that was on the page. Or, if it was, it was on a version I never read. It was more of an in-the-moment thing from Geoff Johns, who realized this is a very bold character decision. It’s a choice that comes from a lot of pain. It’s a moment where the character needs to say something bold in order to move on. Saying “Fuck Batman” in the scene it’s in retaliation to the drug dealers being afraid of Batman and not Robin. They see Robin and they relax a little bit. So, Robin decides to beat the shit out of them. It’s a way of saying, “Don’t worry about Batman. I’ll take care of it.” But what it’s saying to me, what I saw in that was years of pain and perhaps a childhood that was thrust into fighting crime a little too bit early, and some of that anger and resentment coming out.”

Are you excited to see Brenton Thwaites’ Dick Grayson become Nightwing? Are you glad they decided to save Brenton Thwaites’ Nightwing for the second season? How do you feel about that famous Batman line? Let us know below!

Here is the official synopsis for Titans season 2:

In Season 2, following the aftermath of their encounter with Trigon, Dick reforms the Titans. Under his supervision in their new home at Titans Tower, Rachel, Gar and Jason Todd train together to hone their hero abilities and work together as a team. They are joined by Hank Hall and Dawn Granger aka Hawk and Dove and Donna Troy aka Wonder Girl. Although these original Titans attempt to transition into a regular life, when old enemies resurface everyone must come together to take care of unfinished business. And as this family of old and new Titans – including Conner Kent and Rose Wilson – learn to co-exist, the arrival of Deathstroke brings to light the sins of the old Titans which threaten to tear this new Titans family apart once more.

The series stars Brenton Thwaites as Richard “Dick” Grayson / Robin, Anna Diop as Koriand’r / Starfire, Teagan Croft as Rachel Roth / Raven, and Ryan Potter as Garfield “Gar” Logan / Beast Boy. Newcomers for its sophomore outing include Joshua Orpin and Esai Morales playing Superboy and Deathstroke, respectively, while Chella Man and Chelsea Zhang have also joined the cast as Deathstroke’s children. Natalie Gumede has signed on to play Mercy Graves and Game of Thrones star Iain Glen is on board as Bruce Wayne, a.k.a. Batman.

Titans season 2 is now airing on DC Universe.

Source: Collider

Sebastian Peris

Sebastian Peris

Canadian film buff, political junkie, comic book geek, and board game enthusiast.