Was Kenner's Robin based on Marlon Wayans?

[@drphot6050]

Wow shoutout to Marlon’s family and agent for getting him that awesome contract… Somebody put me in a blockbuster film not keep me and still pay me any day lol

[@cesareonthemidway]

It's Tim Drake. Robin was already cut from the script when they started filming.

[@chrisdragnet722]

I remember when Marlon was rumored to be in the film.

[@zacharyjochumsen9677]

Chris dragnet well Marlon was alter considered to play Robin in batman forever

[@dirtydurdensoap]

Marlon also did get paid off this figure and the forever merch as well, as did Billy Dee Williams

[@drphot6050]

Yep they were ahead of their time with casting diversity for comicbook adaptation movie

[@Terminatorfan-2016]

We finally got an official Marlon Wayans Robin in the Batman 89 comic that is based on a couple ideas the Tim Burton had for his third film. I wish we would have gotten that instead. His cast and ideas would have been awesome. So this comic is the closest thing to that. It's an official sequel to Batman Returns.

[@Jakob-zs1qu]

I love the costume they created for his Robin too.

[@JackieWohlenhaus]

That’s some pretty interesting detective work.

[@_The_Worst_]

Wow...😮...Still receives royalties from a movie he never even appeared in...🤯

[@ThatJunkman]

also being he wasn't in Batman Forever he got paid some for that also, as he signed a pay or play for 2 movies. He wasn't as big then at all so he must have one hell of an agent

[@Cedrclovesutube]

Is that a fact?

[@syckles]

@@Cedrclovesutube Yeah, same with Billy Dee Williams, I believe he was paid for Batman Forever too.

[@zygas25]

No. Billy dee willams was never paid for forever. He even said it himself. His contract was diffrent. Wayans was the one that got paid even though he was cut.

[@keithhomesley1946]

Very interesting! I did not know this, thanks Junkman

[@jacobnothnagle9978]

Wow that was an interesting video. I’d always heard that rumor before but kind of doubted it. You put that one to rest though I think with that photo comparison to the comic book version. That is spot on! Good job sir. These type videos are always fun.

[@reelfishstories]

Billy dee Williams was a missed opportunity

[@alyfan1]

I actually just sold my loose robin figure. I always knew it was based of the tim drake character. You could tell by not only his look but how they equipped him, he had stuff tim had used as robin in the comics. Plus if they were going to do him in the movie it mist likely would have been tim because he was what was popular at that time.

[@MR-hx4dj]

Kenner Robin Hood, I lost it

[@arcademcfly1039]

Kenner’s Robin Hood was awesome … equipped with working bow and arrow

[@loringbush3319]

Yes he was supposed to become Robin in the 3rd film. I still remember hearing rumors about this in 1992.

[@VigilanteVegan]

The 2nd film. Returns.

[@randomuser2409]

@@dbdekudb6338 he was gonna be Dick Grayson

[@CardShopReality]

I like this figure conspiracy series with more serious tone. Nice twist mid-way through it. THUMBS UP!

[@peppersghost1232]

Ok, a follow up to my last comment, it looks like that Comic Shop News article where that flat top sketch is from is from 1990. This timing matches up perfectly with the timeline Kenner needed to produce the toy. So basically Kenner probably only had access to that early sketch of Robin and ran with it.

[@busk8159]

would be cool if dc could have Marlon Wayans play burtonverse nightwing in the new flashpointmovie

[@outerspaceman7534]

He’s black. Makes no sense

[@stevenkelley0615]

He was going to play Tim Drake which is a more fitting Robin but I do believe it should be in the BurtonVerse

[@vanceamania]

I always thought it was based on Marlon. This was a good video

[@stephens4175]

I did hear about this, I even had this figure for years mint in the box since it came out, got it because there was very few per case. so mad I sold it years ago, I only had him Catwoman and the penguin 2 pack of the Batman returns line, all mint. kicking myself now.

[@dasansmith4149]

This movie would be perfect

[@electricgecko8997]

That pic from the comic is nearly a perfect match to the figure. Smoking gun evidence right there.

[@ThatJunkman]

the video started out believing he rumor that I heard for years... then I saw that pic of the comic robin and was like, thats complete what its base on it! That plus the comic book series was very popular it makes total sense

[@loringbush3319]

Look up Marlin say Robin not 🧀!

[@korydoe4813]

I have this figure, always wondered what was up with the hair do

[@ConnerTheEsquire]

I wish we had actual footage of Wayans as the mechanic. I can’t find it anywhere…

[@helrod]

NEVER heard this before ... The nation rumor was from the late 90s. When WB was talking about a reboot ihis rumored part was in an abandoned Batman yr 1 movie that was rumored to cast Keanu Reeves as Batman .... At the time of batman returns aam Hamm and Burton had said then child actor Ricky Addison Reed was the front runner for Robin.

[@sharkymark]

Makes sense.

[@pmccue226]

I have that figure it’s awesome. The Robin comic was my favorite. I didn’t now that about the movie. Kind of like how Billy Dee to be the original Two Face. 🙏 I love your channel

[@williamdrahos5530]

I was today years old when I found out that Marlon Wayans was going to be Robin in the original Batman movie!🤣🤣🤣

[@gudshepherd2282]

I have a new respect for marlon waynes!

[@wonderwoman3070]

Nice I'll be back! 👍🏼

[@nathanilsaenz8178]

I remeber my mom buying me that Robin from an antique store when i was a little kid. I always wondered why he had the flat top lol. still got it to this day

[@jessecowled5764]

3:47 Talllly Haaaawk

[@foxyspice8428]

All I know is that at the time I looked at the figure and he looked like he might’ve been black to me cutting his hair it almost looks like a Fade

[@mattromero1744]

Not sure if Wayons would have worked as Robin although Billy Dee Williams worked as Harvey Dent

[@ThatJunkman]

Just wish they did more with Billy Dee as Harvey

[@mattromero1744]

@@ThatJunkman I totally agree Wonder if Tim burton ever planned for him to even play two face

[@dirtydurdensoap]

Didn’t Tim Burton request the character be redesigned in the comics to coincide with the character’s introduction in Returns?

[@ThatJunkman]

I couldn’t find anything on that and it’s seems very unlikely.

[@maskdude6914]

I think I heard something like prototypes of that action figure being black

[@adfnow6270]

Then that Robin figure's body was used again for the Robin in the Batman animated series toy line..🤔

[@PozerAdultRacingTeam]

That Robin looks a little off compared to the other ones.

[@alexisdelarosa5396]

Great video

[@toddnolastname4485]

Is that Fred Sanford in the outro? Sounds like a stand-up clip, so would really be Redd Foxx. Huh. Actual name John Sanford. Wonder why DC Comics never considered having any Robin be non-white. Both Iron Man and Green Lantern had been replaced by black men around that time. If the figure was based on Wayans, there should be a couple of proto-type action figures where the figure is black, to figure out what shades the plastic and paint would be.

[@ThatJunkman]

Its Fred, from the show

[@terryallen7169]

FYI... Billy Dee Williams still gets paid as well for his role as Harvey Dent.

[@jamesoblivion]

I always remember this as being the first Robin action figure that looked like Tim Drake. The next was probably a BTAS figure, since even though he was supposed to be Dick Grayson, BTAS Robin's design was very Tim Drake.

[@matthewjenkins4559]

On Injustices 1 and 2, the developer made a skin for the original Redhood for the Joker and the CW Arrow skin for Green Arrow and CW Black Lighting for Raiden. I wish to make the first "89 Tim Burton Batman comic" skin Michael Keaton Batman and Marlon Wayne as Robin

[@reyes4129]

I always freaking knew this when I had the figure😆 the hair always gave it away for me lol

[@seangalvin3196]

Yeah. Im pretty sure he was paid for the role and some sort of residuals.

[@seangalvin3196]

I shouldn't have commented before i finished! Well done Junkman, well done!

[@bradbrown8759]

Holy controversy Batman! In deed Boy Wayans.. Uh hem! I mean, Wonder.

[@theclaybeartravels3596]

Michael J Fox as Robin would have been a perfect casting

[@michaelp2952]

Looks like Tim Drake Robin to me

[@peppersghost1232]

Hey Junkman, great video, but the timing doesn’t make sense to me. Both the Robin comic and figure in question came out in 91. The figure would still predate this comic here because tooling would have had to have happened in 1990. Thoughts?

[@sergepd]

The costume design was created by Neal Adams for the '89 movie. Warner Bros asked him to design a costume without short pants. DC comics used the design when introducing Tim Drake. The drawing of Robin on the rooftop in the video is by Adams. It was used in promos for the Drake Robin and it was stated during that time that the design was supposed to be for the potential Robin in the '89 Batman. The kid from the TV movie "Return to Salem's Lot was cast as Robin in the '89 Batman

[@joeholtster1891]

The figure looks just like the comics of that era.

[@justinmk]

The figure was based on Marlon, the hair on the toy mold is very reminiscent of black people. You can tell when you look closely. Even if Marlon wasn't going to wear that suit in the film, the mold was made to make the dollars. So you are right in both scenarios. Yes, Marlon was in the film and the head mold was based on him, but also Kenner was going to put Robin in this film. They also retooled and unused Super Powers Catwoman and threw stitching on it. Been nice if they would have thrown money at a Devito Penguin, but they repaint the Super Powers one. The whole line was based on retooling old Kenner molds. Batman is a Super Powers Batman with some updates.

[@ThatJunkman]

There is no evidence that the mold was based on him from Kenner or anyone.

[@SpeedosAndTheGun]

Honestly believe it’s probably just because he was black

[@mcrugrat9287]

I'm here!!!!

[@rhettgenung1223]

Too Hype Boyeeee!

[@saintsofchaosdeluxe3676]

Looks like TIm Drake to me

[@SpeedosAndTheGun]

Lol why did Kenner make robin white

[@LEGOJediMaster]

5:15 Robin HOOD lol!

[@Professor_Indoca]

A white Robin with a high top fade lmao 8

[@Mysterwright]

Then why is there a black variant of the Kenner Batman Returns Robin?

[@ThatJunkman]

Cause there isn’t.

[@jayholmes4147]

Kid n play Robin

[@onionsavoya7543]

Whos laughing now.

[@stevenkelley0615]

Marlon was going to play Tim Drake

[@ThatJunkman]

yes thats is why he is in the Thumbnail and talked about in the video

[@Amh10780]

A race swapped Marlon wayans figure is crazy

[@battroidattack]

Hmm this topic is #redditworthy 🤔

[@marchionessamoretto7326]

I don't believe that Marlon Wayans would be Robin, that is rumours, and Chris O' Donnell is a better choice to play Robin and done a great job

[@hezekiahramirez6965]

If you just use some common sense it's pretty unlikely it's based on Marlon Wayans, tho I admit I came to that conclusion myself once I found out he was cast. The script would have been written before the figures were designed. If Marlon Wayans would have appeared in a distinctive costume that likely would have been the design for the toy, first off. Secondly, the shoot was eight months long. By the time the action figures were designed feature development was very likely finished. They might have even been shooting. Robin had been cut at that point. So why would Kenner bother to use his likeness? They probably had the license, since he was officially cast, but I don't see why they would bother with that. There seem to be facial similarities but I think like 50% of that is just wanting it to be true. It's honestly just not a very well sculpted face. The hair is interesting and it kind of does look a lil bit like Marlon Wayans' hair at the time but it's not the same style and it's just a bit closer to Tim Drake's design. It probably is based on that drawing because even tho it didn't nail the look exactly it really looks like it tried

[@raywallacefan7786]

Michael J. Fox would have made a good Robin back in 1989. The problem is when they were filming "Batman" in 1988, he would have been working on the "Back to the Future" sequels, as well as the sitcom "Family Ties."

[@jeremyburdge8573]

No it is based off the comic books of the time era not based off the marlon wayans

[@ThatJunkman]

Yes that is what I said in the video

[@jeremyburdge8573]

@@ThatJunkman yeah i know dude when i seen him on the back of the package in 90's i was like what did they do to Robin's look. i didn't know any thing about marlon wayans going to be robin tell a couple yeas ago. I didn't have any comics due to a older brother who would rip up any comics i had or break my toys so i didn't know Robin in the 90's was not Dick Grayson .