[Ragged Robin]

It's actually incredible ironic that for the sake of "realism," Nolan focuses on the most childish aspect and appeal of the character (cool toys, beating down bad guys, ninjas, etc).

There's really only two ways Batman can be written in order to do it any justice. That's either the gritty/noir/detective/crime aspect of him ala The Long Halloween/Hush or the super cool superhero/badass James Bond version ala Batman RIP/Batman INC. Neither of which has any of the live action stuff have shown.

Batman is the World's Greatest Detective. He is nothing if not that. The focus should be on his deductive skills and intellect. Batman's gimmick is that he is prepared for every single eventuality and situation. Next would be his interpersonal relationships as it relates to him being a recluse for the sake of the greater good as he sees it. Next would be Batman and his allies as legacy characters. The whole 10-year old sidekick makes complete sense. The whole "well having a 10 year old going up against guys with guns is not realistic" is reeruned because that's not the point. Having a grown man dressed up as a giant bat and punching people with guns and without killing is not realistic either. This is the boy who died in him the night his parents got murdered. This is the childhood Bruce always wanted to have but was denied. The idea of Robin is to remind Bruce of his humanity and purpose so that he doesn't go over the edge. Robin should be portrayed as an apprentice, not entirely a field-combatant/partner. In the comics the first Robin grows up to to become Nightwing and later takes over as Batman with Bruce's son being his Robin -- IMO the BEST period of Batman to date, reversing the roles with a fun, laid back Batman countered with an uptight, violent and stuck up Robin.

The legacy aspect is what they should capitalize. Audiences love continuity, it's as simple as that. That's how I'd do it -- a couple movies with Ben as Batman and build up Robin/Nightwing. Then have Batman ****ing DIE in grand fashion in a Justice League movie. Then continue the franchise/continuity with Nightwing taking over (learning to become Batman without becoming Bruce, thus showing us what really makes Batman who he is -- goldmine of a concept needed to be mined here). Then perhaps end with Bruce coming back with two mother****ing Batmen on the screen to blow everyone's minds wide open (ala Rock of Ages/Final Crisis, Darkseid seemingly kills Bruce but really sends him lost across all of space and time -- how's THAT for scifi?).