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James Gunn is paving the way for his DC universe as the previous DCEU is in the rearview mirror. George Clooney was left at the end of The Flash, but he will not be moving forward. Someone who has not been the Caped Crusader will be taking on the role. For Robert Pattinson, he will be in Elseworlds, letting Matt Reeves do his thing alongside the main universe helmed by the Guardians of the Galaxy director. The Brave and the Bold will give us our new Batman in the DCU, so it got us thinking about potential actors. These are the people who could balance the charm of the playboy billionaire and his dark, crime-fighting alter-ego.
Jake Gyllenhaal
Among the A-list actors being considered for the role of Batman in the DCU, Jake Gyllenhaal stands out as a top contender. Across his role in Nightcrawler, Prisoners, and more, he has shown versatility in his range. He could deliver that darkness needed in the trauma that Bruce Wayne carries with him. When in public, as a businessman and public figure in Gotham, he could show that recognizable smile to deliver that necessary charm. Look toward his villainous role in Spider-Man: Far From Home; he can go into a fantastical superhero world and get knee-deep into the action. At 42 years old, he is at the right age to commit to a franchise while giving fans an established Batman if Gunn plans in that direction.
Richard Madden
Plenty of actors have been in the MCU and the previously established DCU, so why not become Batman? Richard Madden went from Game of Thrones fame to being one of the Eternals in the MCU. In his first Marvel film, he brought sincerity to his relationship with the other characters while showing an intense side as his character’s true motivations started to show. He has the physicality that could be bumped up to take on the imposing role of the Dark Knight. While Bruce Wayne is no spy, some traits crossover in how he uses technology and his physical skills to fight his roster of villains. In Citadel, you can start to imagine replacing some pieces to fit them in the world of clown supervillains and Batmobiles.
Kit Harrington
Another Game of Thrones alumni in Eternals was Kit Harrington. While he had less to do in the MCU so far, his time on Game of Thrones gave him a broad arc that showcased the actor’s abilities to be one of the top actors who could be in the running at the new Batman in the DCU. He has had some romance in his career in these roles and beyond, so it is easy to see how he could turn up the charm to be the Bruce Wayne attending parties with one woman on either arm. At night when the Bat-signal shines, his time in action scenes proves he could wear the cape and cowl to save Gotham.
Jensen Ackles
If we are choosing actors to become the new Batman in Gunn’s DCU, then let’s look to someone who wants to be the character. Besides putting himself out there to take on the role, Jensen Ackles has it all from the age and looks to the acting ability to become the Caped Crusader. Watch the latest season of The Boys to see him as Soldier Boy, a deadlier and nastier version of Captain America. He knows the uncomfortable nature of superhero costumes, can fight, and already has experience voicing Bruce Wayne/Batman in The Long Halloween to know the mindset needed to bring the hero to life. He should get the opportunity to become a real hero, unlike Soldier Boy, and to give his take on Batman to the big screen.
Regé-Jean Page
We have seen so many people take on the role over the years. While competing with Pattinson, Gunn should surpass expectations by casting a person of color in the role. Regé-Jean Page is a rising star who would go beyond the A-listers, most likely to take on the role while diversifying the identity of Bruce Wayne. Watch his charming performance in Bridgerton to sway you on the idea of Bruce Wayne, then watch him get into armor and fight as a Paladin in Dungeons & Dragons. Page is already on an upward trajectory, and The Brave and the Bold would fit his career that is heading for the moon.
Austin Butler
When it comes to actors taking on Batman in the DCU, we could get a seasoned star or someone young enough to give that youthful spark to Bruce Wayne. Austin Butler is everywhere, from making audiences love him in Elvis to going into sci-fi epics with Dune: Part Two. He has dipped his toes in the superhero world with three episodes of Arrow, but it should be fitting to put him into the deep end. He will likely find himself in the DCU or MCU at some point. He has gone a long way since his Zoey 101 days as he stepped into the shoes of murderer Tex Watson in Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood and dealing with zombies in The Dead Don’t Die.
Nicholas Hoult
Nicholas Hoult is another actor skyrocketing in Hollywood. Since his time on Mad Max: Fury Road, he has tapped into horror with The Menu and superheroes with Fox’s X-Men franchise. He is more than proven himself as an actor with an impressive range who can do anything in any genre. As a guy who was in the running against Pattinson for The Batman, he has the opportunity to give it another try to become the World’s Greatest Detective. Although, he is becoming one of the busiest actors on the market. So, hopefully, he will have the time to take on the role.
Miles Teller
Some people get the luck of being in a leading role in a superhero movie, but it turns out to be a disaster. After Fantastic Four, Michael B. Jordan got his second chance with his captivating performance as Killmonger in Black Panther. Maybe Fantastic Four co-star Miles Teller will get a similar opportunity on the DC side. Of the actors out there for a possible run as Batman in the DCU, Teller has mostly stuck with delivering powerful performances in dramas like Whiplash. Last year, he got to show his charm and intensity in Top Gun: Maverick. Dress that jet with a Bat theme; then we may have our next Dark Knight.
Theo James
Theo James is another star with a look that fits the traditional idea of what Bruce Wayne should look like at his day job. Throw the cowl on his head, and we might have found our next Batman. Early in his career, he did blockbusters with the Underworld movies and, later, Divergent. He established himself as one thing but then surprised everyone with his funny role in The White Lotus season 2. He knows how to be that suave, rich guy while having combat in his background. It is only a matter of time before he goes into the MCU or DCU to show people what he can do on a bigger stage than his previous blockbuster outings.
John David Washington
Another idea to go for a diverse option among actors to take on Batman in the DCU would be John David Washington. Denzel Washington’s son has only gotten the ball rolling for his Hollywood ambitions over the last six years but has quickly turned heads. He could juggle a lot at once, as seen in his powerful and, at times, hilarious performance in BlacKkKlansman. He then goes on to take on action, espionage, and the fantastical in Tenet, all things that give him the skillset to become Bruce Wayne. The actor has been tapping into a bit of everything with unknown and beloved filmmakers and projects of all sizes. It feels right for David Washington to star in the DCU or MCU, so Gunn should make the first move to secure a deal with the rising actor.
