Alan Ritchson confirms talks with James Gunn: “I’m not the new Batman, maybe another role”
According to CinemaDrame News Agency, Reacher star Alan Ritchson has revealed that he has spoken with DC Studios head James Gunn about the possibility of playing Batman. Ritchson has previously expressed interest in taking on the role in several interviews.
Speaking to Variety, Ritchson said: “The idea that James Gunn is a fan of mine is not a rumor—he’s said it himself. And I’m definitely a fan of his. I don’t want to mislead people. There have been conversations about Batman.”
However, he cast doubt on whether he will ever play the Dark Knight: “I strongly think Batman isn’t in my future. [But] I do think there’s a role for me in DC’s future.”
Ritchson, who previously played Hank Hall in DC’s Titans series and Aquaman in four episodes of Smallville, told Wired in March that he’d be eager to don the cowl: “Every day people ask me if I’m going to play Batman. Would I do it? Yes. Would I demand a big paycheck for Batman? You don’t even need to pay me.”
In July, Gunn said on Josh Horowitz’s podcast that a collaboration with Ritchson was possible: “I’m a big fan of Alan Ritchson, both as an actor and as a human being. Let’s wait and see what happens.”
Currently, DC’s Batman is Robert Pattinson, who will return in The Batman II directed by Matt Reeves in 2027. That series exists outside of Gunn’s DC Universe and is unrelated to the newly released Superman. Under Gunn and Peter Safran’s leadership, DC chose to introduce a younger Superman, played by David Corenswet, and to set aside Snyderverse mainstays—including Jason Momoa’s Aquaman and Ezra Miller’s Flash—for at least a few years.
The studio is also developing a new Wonder Woman film, with casting to be announced soon. The DCU’s new Batman will be introduced in The Brave and the Bold, directed by Andy Muschietti.
