‘This Thing Will Not Die’: One DCU Casting Rumor That Comes Daily, According to a Fan-Favorite Star

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The DCU is building up to the introduction of one of DC Comics’ most important superheroes. While James Gunn’s universe is set to begin in earnest with Superman this summer, fans are already looking ahead to the arrival of Batman. In his initial announcement video detailing the early entry in Chapter 1 of the DCU, “Gods and Monsters,” Gunn revealed that the Caped Crusader would star in a new live-action film entitled The Brave and the Bold, with The Flash director Andy Muschietti helming the project. The film is also confirmed to introduce Damian Wayne as Robin, marking the first time that Batman’s son has appeared in live-action.

Despite the excitement surrounding the launch of the DCU, it’s been a rough few months for Batman fans. The Brave and the Bold is still struggling to get off the ground, with no release date set for the landmark DCU movie. Meanwhile, Robert Pattinson’s return in The Batman: Part II, an Elseworlds film, was recently delayed by a full year, landing in late 2027. These setbacks have only made fans more anxious to learn who will play the new Batman in James Gunn’s DC Universe, offering their suggestions as they wait for an official announcement. While many names have been thrown in the ring to play the DCU’s Dark Knight, one actor seems to be emerging as the new fan-favorite casting choice.

Alan Ritchson Is the New Fan-Favorite to Play Batman

The Reacher Star Is Noticing the Rampant Fancasts

While actors like Jensen Ackles, Brandon Skelnar, and many others have all been named as possible casting choices for the DCU’s Batman, Alan Ritchson is rapidly becoming the most popular actor to take on the role of the Caped Crusader. While answering “The Web’s Most Searched Questions” with WIRED, Ritchson addressed the rampant rumors that he would be cast as the DCU’s Batman. Answering the question “Is Alan Ritchson Playing Batman,” the Reacher star pointed to the fact that James Gunn had personally debunked this rumor, confirming that he had not been cast as Batman. However, he went on to express his surprise at how prevalent the rumors remain even after Gunn’s statement. He also reaffirmed his sincere desire to play the role in The Brave and the Bold, saying;

Originally entering the spotlight thanks to his role in the sports comedy Blue Mountain State, Alan Ritchson has since become one of the fastest-rising action stars in Hollywood. His work in Prime Video’s Reacher, an adaptation of the Lee Child’s Jack Reacher novels, catapulted him to stardom. He has since starred in action films such as The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare and Fast X. Ritchson even played Hank Hall, a.k.a. Hawk, in Titans, a series set in an alternate DC universe. His career so far seems perfectly suited to taking on the role of Batman–and it seems that Ritchson’s fans won’t let this casting choice die.

Will Alan Ritchson Play Batman in the DCU?

Despite James Gunn’s Statement, There’s Still Hope for a Ritchson Batman

Despite James Gunn’s statement debunking rumors that Alan Ritchson will play Batman in the DCU, there is still a chance that this popular fan casting could come true. Gunn has been very clear about the development process for projects in the DCU, insisting that important characters should only be cast once a film’s script is finished and a director is found. While The Brave and the Bold already has a director, it seems DC Studios is still struggling to put a script together, suggesting that Gunn and Muschietti have yet to cast their Batman actor. Gunn confirmed this in a Threads post last month, where he debunked rumors that he had already cast the DCU’s Batman. This is great news for proponents of Alan Ritchson’s Batman. It may be that Gunn’s initial statement declaring that Ritchson “isn’t playing Batman” was merely about the fact that the Caped Crusader hasn’t been cast yet at all. Gunn didn’t say that Ritchson would never play Batman, merely that he hadn’t been cast as of yet. DC Studios is still early in the process of figuring out who and what its new Batman is going to be. It is still possible that Alan Ritchson will fit whatever description they land on, though fans likely won’t know for some time.

Some detractors of the Alan Ritchson fan-casting point out that the Reacher star is substantially larger than how Batman is typically depicted in comics, television, and movies. While this is true, some artists are known to draw Batman as less slender and bulkier, getting close to Ritchson’s muscular frame. Other versions of the character, namely Absolute Batman, are incredibly bulky, dwarfing even Ritchson. It also should be noted that audiences got a sneak peek at the DCU’s Batman in Creature Commandos, where the hero’s silhouette can be seen for a few brief moments. While this was the briefest of glimpses at the character, it did appear to be a more physically intimidating depiction of the Dark Knight, possibly indicating that James Gunn plans to go a different direction than in previous live-action iterations of Batman. This would also help differentiate the DCU’s Batman from Robert Pattinson’s concurrent version of the character, who is more slender and agile.

DC fans still have a long road ahead before they finally learn who will play the new Batman. While James Gunn has made it clear that he has not yet cast the next Caped Crusader, fans of Alan Ritchson haven’t lost hope yet. While not usually swayed by rampant fan casts, Gunn may coincidentally find that his vision for the DCU’s Batman lines up with what Ritchson offers. The Reacher star may yet don the classic cape and cowl.

“}]] One beloved action star says he keeps getting fancast as the DCU’s new Batman. Could a casting announcement be coming for the Caped Crusader?  Read More