Brenton Thwaites is the new Dick Grayson. And we’re not talking about Chris McKay’s gestating Nightwing movie.
Instead, Thwaites, a graduate of Disney’s Pirates franchise, has signed on to headline Titans, Warner’s live-action TV series that promises a gritty new take on the timeless DC classic.
Flanked by the hot-headed Starfire and Beast Boy, we’ve already caught a glimpse of Brenton Thwaites in full costume, though it seems Thursday’s big reveal mined inspiration from none other than The Dark Knight Rises. The side-by-side comparison included below shows Titans‘ first-look photo next to the theatrical poster for Christopher Nolan’s trilogy-capper.
They’re certainly cut from the same cloth, too – a moody, low-angle shot of the brooding protagonist decked out in full battle armor. The only difference is that Brenton Thwaites is staring down the barrel of the camera. Oh, and the city-wide Bat symbol that appears as though it’s being engulfed by flames.
Our guess? This is nothing more than a similarity between two comic book-themed one-sheets, as there’ve been numerous examples of movie posters aping the layout and style of their predecessors throughout the years – think Inception and The Dark Knight, or the shoulder-turn pose that adorns everything from Blade to V for Vendetta. And you know what they say about imitation being the sincerest form of flattery.
Whatever the case, here’s a reminder of the official logline for DC’s live-action Titans series:
Titans follows young heroes from across the DC Universe as they come of age and find belonging in a gritty take on the classic Teen Titans franchise. Dick Grayson and Rachel Roth, a special young girl possessed by a strange darkness, get embroiled in a conspiracy that could bring Hell on Earth. Joining them along the way are the hot-headed Starfire and lovable Beast Boy. Together they become a surrogate family and team of heroes.
Titans will be the one to launch Warner’s DC Universe this fall. And after that? A slew of TV content – old and new – including original series based on Swamp Thing and Doom Patrol.