Batman & Robin is infamous as a low point in the franchise’s history. It traded the brooding nature of Batman for a more outlandish take that critics and audiences were not receptive to. The backlash was so negative that it put the series on ice for several years until Batman Begins revived interest in the Batman property. However, the most lasting long-term damage the film inflicted was not on Batman himself but on his extended Bat-Family.
The film prominently features Robin and Batgirl as sidekicks to the Dark Knight in their only live-action cinematic team up to date. Outside of stints in animated features, this marked Robin’s third and final appearance in a live-action film and Batgirl’s sole live-action outing. However, Batman & Robin‘s take on the characters left much to be desired, with the infamy of their depictions ensuring that Batman has flown solo ever since. This has had the resulting effect of Batman’s rather extensive family of sidekicks being kept out of the film, and recent trends indicate it will remain that way.
Batman & Robin Damaged Public Perceptions of the Bat-Family
The most negative aspect of Batman & Robin is that it had a poor showing for both of Batman’s major sidekicks. In particular, Chris O’Donnell’s Robin is saddled with a depiction as an argumentative partner with poor judgment and decision-making skills, needing Batman’s help multiple times. Meanwhile, Alicia Silverstone’s Batgirl has little in common with her classic comic counterpart beside her name, making for a rather inaccurate take for fans and non-fans alike. This leaves the film with a bad look for Batman’s sidekicks that presents them as inadequate and not representative of who they really are.
The repercussions of Batman & Robin were swift on the Bat-Family, as it gave the impression that any sidekicks were superfluous to Batman himself. No further Bat-Family members have appeared in future films since, leaving Batgirl and Robin as the only members of the Bat-Family to make it to film. Consequently, Alfred Pennyworth and Commissioner Gordon have remained Batman’s only consistent allies across cinematic continuities and have become arguably better known and regarded.
The Film Future of the Bat-Family Remains Uncertain
Even with multiple continuity changes doing wonders for Batman, the rest of his family has remained shut out of the film world. The Dark Knight Rises featured a character named Robin, but he had little in common with the character beyond the name and an ally role. The DC Extended Universe had Robin already dead, and while Barbara Gordon was aiming for a solo live-action adventure, the Batgirl film was canceled following the Warner Bros. Discovery merger. No plans have been laid out for the Bat-Family under James Gunn’s DC Studios, but since Superman is undergoing a reboot, the future could still be open for the characters.
Batman & Robin‘s worst damage to the series was ensuring the Bat-Family stayed out of cinemas. Thanks to the unflattering depiction of his most famous sidekicks, subsequent films have remained determined to keep Batman a solo hero. However, this does not have to remain the status quo. Batman has a rich roster of allies, such as Batwoman, Oracle, Red Hood and Nightwing, that have compelling stories deserving of a shot at the silver screen. Under the DC Universe, the Bat-Family finally has a chance at a proper portrayal that does them justice and proves they are not merely sidekicks.