- Alan Ritchson has spoken of his desire to take on the role
- Robert Pattinson is already The Batman, but this will be parallel to the DCU
- Several other actors have been linked with the role
With the reboot of the DCU launching this summer, speculation is ramping up over who could be the new Batman – and there are several strong contenders.
James Gunn’s reboot of the DC Universe launches this summer with Superman being the first in a slate of movies and TV shows to come in the next few years. Although there have been conflicting stories about how good the film is. One of those movies will be Batman: The Brave and the Bold, which is set to hit theaters next year.
This iteration of Batman is set to have his son, Damian Wayne, as his sidekick Robin, giving a different dynamic to the various interpretations of Batman that have been seen on the big screen over the past 35 or so years.
But there is one big question in the minds of all fans – who will don the famous cowl? There are several actors seemingly in the running.
Alan Ritchson
Alan Ritchson, who is most famous for playing Jack Reacher in the Amazon Prime Video series, is one of the leading contenders and he seems to really want the role. Last year, he spoke about how he would “love” to play Batman. Now, in a new interview with Wired, he again demonstrated how keen he is to get into the Batcave. “You wouldn’t even have to pay me,” he said, boldly.
Ritchson has got a lot of fan support too, given his popularity as Reacher, and his large, muscly frame lends itself to Batman’s physique.
Jake Gyllenhaal
Gyllenhaal is no stranger to the superhero world, having played Mysterio in Spider-Man: Far From Home. Last year, in the wake of starring in the remake of 80’s ‘classic’ Road House, he professed his admiration for the Dark Knight. When asked if he would like to play him he said: “It would be an honor always,” he said. “Those roles are classics.”
Jenson Ackles
Another fan favorite, Ackles’ star has risen in recent years, having starred as Dean Winchester in Supernatural from 2005-20.
He is another with experience in superhero roles, having played Ben/Solider Boy in The Boys. He has also played Batman already – sort of. He voiced the Dark Knight in DC’s animated Tomorrowverse.
Gunn has previously said that Ackles hadn’t been cast as Batman, but that was before there was a script – so way before any casting decision could be made. This means he still could be in the running for the role.
Brandon Skelnar
Something of an outsider, but another actor whose star is rising. Skelnar is best know for films such as It Ends with Us (2024) and the Western series 1923 (2022-25)
And who it won’t be:
Robert Pattinson
Pattinson is already The Batman, having donned the cowl in the 2022 movie. He is set to reprise his role in The Batman 2, which is currently set to hit theaters in 2027, having already been delayed from its initial release date.
However, Pattinson’s version of Batman is not the DCU’s. No, his exists in a parallel universe. This is the same one as The Penguin exists in – the critically acclaimed drama starring Colin Farrell that aired last year.
