''Dozier was very concerned about that'': Adam West revealed that Batman's creator wanted to cast the perfect Robin
Whether you believe it or not, Robin was a very imperative part of Batman's success. We're not saying the beloved caped crusader couldn't beat bad guys by himself but having someone on your side makes things a bit easier (even if they're smaller than you are).
That's why casting the perfect person for the role of Gotham City's hero's sidekick was crucial for series creator William Dozier. We all know that Burt Ward was eventually the golden guy but he had to check off all the things Dozier needed and be far away from the things he was concered about. According to West's book Back to the Batcave, which he wrote with Jeff Rovin, the actor detailed the vision Dozier had for Robin and why casting a teen was out of the question.
"The casting of Robin was obviously very important to us, since he had to have the energy and build of a fifteen year old, but with adult sensibilities and wit to sell the character. He also had to be fully grown: if we lasted for more than one season, it wouldn't do to have a Robin getting taller than Batman. Dozier was very concerned about that," he wrote in Chapter 9.
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Of course, a few young guys auditioned, including a 19 year old named Bert "Sparky" Gervis Jr., who we know and love as Burt Ward. You might be thinking, "Where did he get the nickname Sparky from?" According to West, he heard two stories. "The first was that the way sparks flew off his ice skate blades whenever he made one of his dramatic leaps, and the second was that it was given to him when he landed on the frayed end of an electrical cable during a show."