Robert Pattinson is currently the only Dark Knight we’ve got on the big screen, but that is about to change very soon according to DC Studios co-chief James Gunn. In a video released for today’s episode of The Suicide Squad: Is It Canon? The Official Podcast, Gunn confirmed that casting on the DCU version of Batman “isn’t very far away” and he’s got ideas on the type of actor he’s looking for.
“It won’t be too long before we’re casting Batman. We haven’t cast yet, by the way — all the people thinking he’ll show up in this or that, it’s all bullshit. When we do cast the DCU Batman, which isn’t very far away, if I gave somebody a day role in ‘The Suicide Squad’ that is going to be the best Batman, I’m not going to rule him out from that. I want to get everybody into account. One of the things that excites me about casting Batman is being able to pick a Batman who’s actually the best actor for that role. Superman’s have always been chosen based on who the best actor for that role is. And for some reason, Batman’s are always chosen as movie stars.”
When asked by Peacemaker and The Suicide Squad actor Steve Agee if age was a factor, Gunn confirmed that he’s looking for someone who can believably play the same age as David Corenswet’s Superman…
“People are always looking for little hints about the casting of Batman,” Gunn said. “Roughly, Batman and Superman are around the same age. I don’t think they’re drastically different ages. They’re future best pals, contemporaries.”
Corenswet is 33 years old, by the way. Gunn will have a vast array of young actors in that age range to choose from, and I dig that he’s not just looking for the biggest name. That has worked in the past, but it doing something different could work, too.
There are still plenty of questions swirling around the only Batman movie Gunn has announced, The Brave and the Bold, which may or may not be directed by Andy Muschietti. Some rumors have Gunn taking over the job for himself. I could totally see him doing that for all of DC’s “holy trinity” characters, including Wonder Woman.
Corenswet’s Superman will be seen next in Man of Tomorrow, opening July 9th 2027. The Batman: Part II opens February 18th 2028.
