Summary

A new actor has yet to be cast asBatmanin theDC Universe, and without a star in place, that has led to a huge number of rumors about the upcoming reboot of the Dark Knight.Ben Affleck will not return as Batman in the DCU. While Affleck gave life to Batman in the old DCEU, the actor, just like was the case for Superman star Henry Cavill, will be recast for James Gunn’s new DC Universe.Batman will next be seen in live-action inThe Brave and the Boldmovie, which still has no release date set.

When he announced thefirst projects in the DCU, Gunn revealed thatThe Brave and the Boldwould focus on Bruce Wayne discovering that he has a son, Damian, and forming a bond with him. Besides the live-action debut of Damian Wayne,the upcoming Batman reboot movie is also confirmed to feature other members of the Bat-Family, though no characters have been confirmed as of yet. As one of DC’s most popular characters, the debut of a new Batman gets a lot of attention, and Gunn has recently shared an update on where the DCU Batman casting is at.

Ben Affleck’s Batman with and without the cowl and a red negative symbol in the background

Please DC, Make The DCU Batman Different To Ben Affleck’s Bruce Wayne In This 1 Key Way

Ben Affleck was great as Batman in the DCEU; however, I want the new DC Universe to make Bruce Wayne different from his in a crucial way.

James Gunn Claims Casting For The DCU Batman Has Yet To Begin

There Are No Actors In Talks For The Role

Gunn has made it a habit to comment on DCU rumors. The creative chief of the franchise often takes to social media to either debunk the latest round of DCU rumors, which he does more frequently, or to confirm news related to all projects DC currently has in development. Recently,Gunn debunked a new Batman casting rumor. The rumor stated thatThe Brave and the Bolddirector Andy Muschietti had already chosen an actor to play the DCU’s Batman, though no names were provided. Gunn said, “No. We haven’t even begun casting for the DCU Batman.”

Not many details aboutThe Brave and the Boldhave been revealed. Aside from the fact thatThe Flashdirector Andy Muschietti is spearheading the Batman reboot, no writer has been confirmed for the project. Shortly after his Batman casting comment,Gunn also debunked a new rumor that Muschietti would pen the movie’s script alongside Rodo Sayagues (Don’t Breathe). Previously, Gunn debunked a few Batman casting rumors by revealing thatThe Brave and the Bold’s script was not yet completed. Interestingly, he did not say it this time, so perhaps things are moving along nicely behind the scenes.

Jensen Ackles' Soldier Boy in The Boys, Alan Ritchson’s Jack Reacher in Reacher, and Jake Gyllenhaal in Prisoners

Between rumors, actors interested in the role, and more, there are some popular choices to play the DCU’s Batman, and a lot of talent is involved.

The Brave And The Bold Casting Rumors Explained

With no actor announced forThe Brave and the Bold, multiple names have come up as possible candidates to take on the lead role. Among them, a handful of actors have become popular picks for the new Bruce Wayne, with some of them even openly saying that they would love to play Batman. Gunn has debunked a couple of Batman casting rumors, including thatThe Office’s John Krasinski would play Bruce Wayne and that Ryan Gosling had been cast as Batman in Gunn’s Superman reboot.The director has confirmed that Batman will only debut inThe Brave and the Bold.

Another rumor that Gunn has debunked is thatJensen Ackles was cast as Batman inThe Brave and the Bold. According to Gunn, that was impossible as the DCU movie had no script at that point. However, there is a chance Ackles could end up playing Batman when the time to cast the hero comes.TheSupernaturalstar has become the fan-favorite for the role, and Ackles' live-action experience as a “hero” inThe Boys, as well as his time voicing Batman in DC’s animated Tomorrowverse, make him a great choice for the role.

Robert Pattinson’s Batman looking shocked in The Batman and Jensen Ackles' Dean Winchester fixing his tie in Supernatural

Ackles has also stated that he would love to play Batman in the DCU. Another popular candidate forThe Brave and the Bold’s Bruce Wayne is Alan Ritchson. The actor plays a character who is similar to Batman in many ways in Prime Video’s hitReacherseries. Like Ackles,Ritchson wants to play Batman. The actor is excited about portraying Batman’s intelligence and interacting with his vehicles, such as the Batmobile. Speaking toScreen Rant, Jake Gyllenhaal was another actor who said he is open to the idea of becoming the new Batman. Gyllenhaal was considered forBatman Begins.

10 Batman Movie Rumors Debunked By James Gunn

With a Batman reboot film for the new DCU and Robert Pattinson’s The Batman - Part II on the way, James Gunn has debunked several movie rumors.

How Old Could The DCU’s Batman Be?

A Major Element Serves As A Clue

In the DCU’s early days, there were reports that Superman would be 25 years old, and sinceGunn had made an off-hand comment about how Batman might be a couple of years older than Superman, rumors started to mount about Bruce Wayne being around 30. However, Batman’s DCU age remains a mystery for now. When David Corenswet was cast as the Man of Steel, Gunn revealed that Superman would be 30, just like Corenswet. Recently,Gunn further clarified his comments about Batman’s age, saying, “All I meant was I wasn’t tied to Bruce and Clark being the exact same age.”

With Gunn cementing that there is no age range for Batman, only that he and Superman do not necessarily have to be the same age, that could allow for the DCU to cast an older actor like Ackles as Bruce Wayne. Based onThe Brave and the Bolddetails,it would make sense for the DCU Batman actor to be in his late 30s or 40s. The reason for that is Damian Wayne, who will appear in the film, is Bruce’s fourth male Robin. Adding to that, more Bat-Family members will appear, so an older Batman would fit in timeline-wise.

Brenton Thwaites as Nightwing in Titans with Timothée Chalamet in Dune and Dylan O’Brien in American Assassin

Casting The DCU’s Nightwing: 10 Actors Perfect To Play Dick Grayson In DC’s New Batman Movie

James Gunn has teased Nightwing on social media, and there are certain actors who could do Dick Grayson right in the DCU Batman reboot movie and more.

When Could The New Batman Casting Be Announced?

The Brave And The Bold Could Premiere In A Couple Of Years

Currently,DC bosses Gunn and Safran are planning to release two movies a year. 2025 would have had two live-action films in Gunn’sSupermanandThe Batman - Part II. However, Robert Pattinson’s second outing as the Dark Knight was delayed by a year, meaning there will be one DC movie in 2025.Supergirl: Woman of TomorrowandThe Batman - Part IIwill take DC’s 2026 movie slots, with the DCU film starring Milly Alcock as the Girl of Steel recently receiving a date.

Based on that,The Brave and the Boldcould premiere in either 2027 or 2028, with the former likely the best option to get the DCU rolling. With the movie coming in 2027 at the earliest,The Brave and the Bold’s filming could take place either next year or in 2026. Given how Gunn has yet to reveal if theBatmanreboot’s script is ready, casting for the new Bruce Wayne is more likely to take place in 2025 than at the end of 2024, though that is not entirely out of the cards.

The Brave and the Bold: Batman and Robin in the DC Comics written by Grant Morrison

The Brave and the Bold

The Brave and the Bold will introduce audiences to a new Batman in the DC Universe, focusing on the unique dynamic between the Dark Knight and his son, Damian Wayne, who takes on the mantle of Robin. This film marks yet another reboot for the iconic vigilante superhero.