Burt Ward

The world has literally lit up with Adam West tributes since the Batman star’s tragic passing over the weekend, and we’ll have at least one more chance to honor the staccato “Bright Knight.” Sources confirm West had completed recording vocals for an animated sequel to Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders.

We’re still reeling from the loss of Adam West, TV’s original Batman and “Bright Knight” icon of superhero fans. The actor lost a battle with leukemia this weekend, and now Batman co-stars Julie Newmar and Burt Ward weigh in, along with Family Guy producers and many more.

Nowadays, actors are often straight-up forbidden from doing their own stunts so that they don’t suffer from any lasting injuries. Some, like Tom Cruise, have the star-power needed to convince a director he wants to be strapped to the side of a jetliner while it takes off, but most of the time it’s the stunt-doubles doing all the work. Not so for Burt Ward, who played sidekick Robin in the original 1960’s Batman TV show. He recounts a time during production during which he had to perform a stunt so dangerous he was sent to the emergency room.

Batman and Robin are back in action with the newest trailer for Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders, Warner Bros.’ newest animated version of the Dynamic Duo, complete with a vintage Batmobile, day-glo yellow utility belt, “holy insert-noun-here” exclamations, and superfluous labels on things like “GIANT OVEN.”

This is the Batman movie we need right now, but not the one we deserve.