8 Actors That Could Play Batman In James Gunn’s DCU

Batman has always been an essential part of the DC universe and is also easily one of the most loved characters in the franchise. Throughout time, several actors and voice actors have played the role of the caped crusader, the latest being Ben Affleck in the now-over DCEU and Robert Pattinson in The Batman. However, under James Gunn, the DC universe is being rebuilt from the ground up, and it’s time for Gunn to pass the mantle to someone new. Today, I have compiled a list of the top 8 actors who can potentially be the new DCU Batman.

8. Mark Rowley

If you have been following the patterns for how James Gunn does what he does, you know that he has a knack for picking up underrated or B-listed actors and giving them major roles in his projects. An example of that can be seen in the casting of David Corenswet as the new Superman for DCU. Considering that, if we look at Mark Rowley, he is in the perfect age group, height, and built to play the new DCU Batman.

Rowley has played roles like Finan in The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings and of Macbeth in the 2018 movie Macbeth. These roles showcase his ability to be a dark and brooding character, making him a contender for the role of the new Batman.

7. Jai Courtney

We have seen Jai Courtney previously play the role of Captain Boomerang in DCEU’s Suicide Squad. However, James Gunn also has a habit of recasting characters. If you look at it, Jai Courtney has the potential build and voice to be Batman, the only thing he lacks is height.

In addition to Suicide where his role was limited, Jai Courtney has showcased his talents in movies such as Catching Dust and Blacksite. However, we can’t say how the fandom might react to the news but let’s wait and watch what happens.

6. Richard Madden

Among the actors in this list, Richard Madden is an actor who I would be most satisfied with playing the role of the caped crusader in Batman The Brave & the Bold.

Madden has some experience in the MCU as Ikaris and also has the height and build to portray a good middle-aged Batman in the new DCU. His previous role in Game of Thrones as Robb Stark also shows his potential to fit into the shoes of the caped Crusader.

5. Alden Ehrenreich

Alden Ehrenreich is one of those actors who I won’t be mad about playing the role of Batman in the DCU. Looking at it technically, he has the face and build to look good in the bat suit and has proved himself to be up to the mark with roles that can prove to be physically challenging.

One of the testaments to this is his performance as Han Solo in Solo: a Star Wars Story. Alden has also portrayed his acting range well with his roles in movies like ” Hail, Caesar!” and Oppenheimer, so we can expect a good portrayal of Batman from him.

4. Scott Eastwood

Now talking about the top four contenders to play Batman in the DCU, one B-listed actor I would root for to get the role of Batman is Scott Eastwood. We have seen him previously in the Fast and Furious franchise and other movies playing either second in the lead or a minor character. He has played the lead character in very few movies like Enter Nowhere, released in 2011.

If we look at it, except for his height, Scott Eastwood can be a pretty good Batman. His age, facial structure, build, and everything else make him a top choice among B-list actors to play Batman in the new DCU.

3. Jake Gyllenhaal

The legendary Jake Gyllenhaal is one of the top choices if we talk about fan casting for the new Batman. We have earlier seen him in a large number of movies, showing his range to play almost any kind of character thrown at him.

From happy to brooding to even psychotic characters, there is nothing Gyllenhaal cannot do. So, if James Gunn decides to make him the new DCU Batman, I know that the legacy of our superhero is in safe hands.

2. Jensen Ackles

The second-best choice on my list is someone who already has some experience playing Batman’s voice. Yes, for those of you who don’t know, Jensen Ackles has been the voice of Batman for DC’s animated movies.

New titles like Legion Of Super-Heroes, Justice League: Warworld, and fan-favorite movies like Batman: Under the Red Hood and Batman: The Long Halloween, Part One feature Jensen Ackles’ voice as Batman.

On top of that, his spectacular live-action depiction of Soldier Boy in The Boys really helps you paint the picture for him to play the new DCU Batman. As a lifelong fan of Batman, I would love to see the mantle of the superhero being passed on to Jensen Ackles.

1. Alan Ritchson

If we consider fan castings, Alan Ritchson takes the top spot to play Batman in the new DCU. Not only his fantastic physique and height but the stellar way he plays the role of Jack Reacher in Reacher makes him a solid contender for the role of Batman.

In a recent interview on the Post Cred Podcast, Alan addressed the fan casting of him as Batman and stated, “The fact that people are interested in me playing Batman is a real honor and privilege. It’s one of the first characters I fell in love with as a child: I still remember the big, long pistol coming out of Joker’s pants as he goes to shoot down the Batplane.” He also added,

“Those iconic moments really resonated with me as a child. For there to even be a conversation or a rumor mill surrounding this role, for me… all I can do is laugh. I just think it’s wild that’s where we are. I would love to. I would absolutely love to [play him].

Previously the American actor-filmmaker-writer, Kevin Smith also went to the extent of saying that Ritchson is “Batman without a cape.”

Moreover, looking at how James Gunn cast a new actor for Supergirl instead of Meg Donnelly, who has previously voiced Supergirl it is slightly unlikely that Jensen Ackles will be cast as the live-action Batman. So, following the fan demand and the rumors going on, Alan Ritchson is the best contender for the new DCU Batman.