Why is Dick Grayson told to "be Batman" in the trailer for Titans season 2? Brenton Thwaites' Robin was undoubtedly the star of Titans season 1 and embarked on a rollercoaster journey, dealing with the emotional fallout from his Bat-breakup. When viewers first meet Dick Grayson, he's operating as a lone Robin but, by the season finale, Batman's former sidekick has resolved to leave his past behind and dramatically burns his famous red and green outfit to ashes.
Naturally, this scene left fans assuming that Grayson would assume his grown-up Nightwing comic book persona at some point in Titans season 2 and while this remains a strong possibility, Nightwing has yet to be revealed in the footage and marketing material released thus far. In the latest trailer for Titans season 2, the ramifications of Dick's decision are teased, with Starfire asking her new boyfriend, "what now?" While this line adds fuel to the Nightwing fire, the trailer's final moments deliver a surprise twist, as a Dove voiceover urges Dick Grayson to "be Batman."
The prominence of this phrase suggests a deep significance for Titans season 2, stunning fans with the implication that Dick Grayson's new role after ditching his Robin outfit could be to take over from the Caped Crusader himself. Such a development would definitely be surprising, but isn't entirely without precedent. In the Batman comics, an adult Dick Grayson assumes Bruce Wayne's alter ego on several occasions, once when his former mentor is badly injured and again after Bruce is presumed dead. Dick Grayson's version of Batman goes on to have his own run of comic adventures and appoints a new Robin in the form of Damian Wayne.
Titans' Bruce Wayne casting may also provide a clue as to Dick's superhero future. Nearing 60, Iain Glen is one of the older actors to play the Dark Knight and while he might've been fine swinging a broadsword in Game of Thrones, it's hard to imagine him nimbly skipping across rooftops and hitting goons with roundhouse kicks. Certainly, he was too old for Daenerys Targaryen.
Bruce's age in Titans could absolutely play into the "be Batman" line - perhaps Gotham's most famous son is considering retirement and looking to pass his cape and cowl onto a successor. This would also explain why Dick and Bruce are on speaking terms in Titans season 2 after so much animosity in the first season. Bruce might have invited Dick to his mansion to offer him the job, with the former Robin spending the bulk of Titans season 2 deliberating whether or not to accept.
With that said, it's impossible to escape the feeling that it's far too early for Dick Grayson to start parading around town as Batman. Not only would the Nightwing step have been criminally omitted, but Dick still feels angsty and somewhat immature, and it would be highly hypocritical of him to rage against Bruce Wayne in Titans season 1, only to turn on the charm when he's handed the keys to the Bat Cave.
Because of this, perhaps the most plausible explanation behind the "be Batman" line is that Dove was speaking metaphorically. Clearly, Dick is conflicted about his future as a masked vigilante and it's also likely that the Bruce Wayne of Titans is nearing the end of his crime-fighting career. Therefore, Dove could be encouraging her former lover not so much to literally put on Batman's outfit and start speaking in a husky voice, but to step-up as Gotham City's protector, and act in a way that Bruce himself might've acted.
If the "be Batman" line is entirely figurative, it's a bit of a cheeky inclusion in the Titans season 2 trailer. Nevertheless, fans are certainly in deep discussion ahead of the show's return and Dick Grayson's superhero future is the main point on their agenda.
Titans season 2 premieres September 6th on DC Universe.