Summary
As the DC Universe continues its major overhaul under James Gunn’s leadership, one burning question continues to dominate fan discussions and press interviews: Who will play Batman in the DCU? While Gunn has previously shut down rumors swiftly, a recent interview suggests there might be more to the speculation surrounding fan-favorite Alan Ritchson than previously thought.
During a wide-ranging hour-long conversation with Josh Horowitz, Gunn discussed everything from the controversial exit of Henry Cavill as Superman to the future of characters like The Flash and Aquaman.
But when asked directly about Ritchson—best known for his role in Reacher—possibly donning the cape and cowl, Gunn’s response was unusually reserved.
A Pause Worth Noting
When Horowitz brought up fan enthusiasm for Alan Ritchson, Gunn replied:
“I am a big Alan Ritchson fan, both as an actor and a guy. I… just wait and see what happens.”
While this wasn’t a confirmation, it marked a significant shift from Gunn’s usual blunt denials.
Instead of shutting down the possibility, he hesitated—leaving room for speculation.
When pressed further about the tone and direction of the new Batman, Gunn offered a more generalized answer:
“It’s dictated by the material and the take. Actors, you know, actors aren’t important. [Laughs] Do I ever think about it? Sure there’s people out there I think about, but let’s see where the script comes in. It’s not the furthest along thing. We have things that are much further along than that.”
This signals that casting is still open—and perhaps even undecided—as Gunn awaits the final script for The Brave and the Bold, the upcoming Batman film in the DCU.
Alan Ritchson Really Wants to Be Batman
Ritchson himself hasn’t been shy about his desire to play the Dark Knight.
In an interview with Wired back in March, he said:
“Yeah, would I play Batman? Yes. Would I pay handsomely to be Batman? You wouldn’t even have to pay me to be Batman. I would, yeah, I would don the suit. ‘Gotham is mine.’ Look at that. I don’t even have to practice. It just comes out naturally.”
Despite Gunn previously laughing off the rumor, it’s clear the demand isn’t going away—especially now that Gunn has given a more ambiguous answer.
What Does This Mean for Batman in the DCU?
At this stage, nothing is official.
Gunn made it clear that the Batman film is not yet a top production priority and that casting decisions are still pending.
But his new tone suggests Alan Ritchson is at least in consideration, whether for Batman or potentially another role in the DC Universe.
With Superman already in production and a slate of other DCU titles in the works, including Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow and The Authority, casting announcements for major characters like Batman may still be months away.
For now, fans will continue to speculate, and Ritchson will keep the Bat-Signal lit—ready to answer the call should it come.