James Gunn’s DC Universe hasn’t castBatman yet, but his criteria for Bruce Wayne’s actor rule out some fan-favorite choices. Who will wear The Dark Knight’s cowl in the rebooted DC franchise has been one of the biggest questions ever since Gunn and Peter Safran were put in charge of DC Studios. And while The Brave and the Bold has been in development nearly the whole time, they still need a Batman actor.
There have inevitably been plenty of fan-casts for who could be the DCU’s Batman. Major stars have also expressed interest in taking on the iconic role, hoping to join Adam West, Michael Keaton, George Clooney, Val Kilmer, Christian Bale, Ben Affleck, and Robert Pattinson as live-action Batman actors. There’s even been a huge push for Pattinson’s The Batman franchise to merge with the DCU, but that idea has been squashed by all involved repeatedly.
Previous Batman actors have each brought a specific vision to life, and Gunn’s DCU plans are starting to become clear. He recently confirmed it won’t be long before Batman is cast, assuring that an actor isn’t already signed on. But more importantly, Gunn specified that he wants Batman and Superman to be “around the same age,” acknowledging that “they’re future best pals.”
Superman actor David Corenswet is 33 years old, which provides a rough idea to the age bracket Gunn is thinking of for Batman. He could be a little older, but probably by no more than 5 to 7 years. If Gunn’s plan for Batman’s age remains the same, we can go ahead and eliminate several actors who are popular fan choices.
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Alan Ritchson
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There is perhaps no bit of DCU Batman fancasting more popular than Alan Ritchson. The Reacher star is an excellent action performer with an imposing frame, plenty of charisma, and an intensity that would pair well with The Dark Knight. Even though he has dismissed his own chances of playing Batman in the past, the confirmation of continued meetings with DC Studios has kept many hoping he’d get the role.
Ritchson might not look it, but he is 43 years old, making him 10 years older than Corenswet. He could play someone a bit younger than he actually is in real life and allow that gap to be reduced. However, it seems more likely that if Ritchson is going to play a third DC character (he’s already played Aquaman in Smallville and Hawk and Titans), it will not be Batman.
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Lee Pace
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Lee Pace has been another popular Batman casting suggestion. He’s already connected to Gunn after playing Ronan the Accuser in Guardians of the Galaxy, but his screen presence is a big reason why so many have supported him. Notably, Pace refused to comment on Batman speculation last year, creating more hope that the Foundation star was in the running.
The issue for Pace is that he is 47 years old. He would certainly make for a great version of Batman who has been at this for years, but that doesn’t appear to be the DCU’s approach. The 14-year gap between Pace and Corenswet is too large for them to be considered similar ages, ruling him out.
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Henry Cavill
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Cavill may have already played Superman in the DC Extended Universe (and was booted from the role following Gunn and Safran’s takeover), but several fans want to see him as Batman next. It’s easy to envision him as Bruce in and out of the cowl. Gunn has even expressed an openness to find a new part in the DCU for the former Superman actor.
The actor has not shared similar interest in joining the DCU or taking on a different DC superhero role, and his chances of becoming Batman have now taken a hit. At 43 years old, Cavill is a full decade older than Corenswet. He often comes across as a bit more experienced than that, which wouldn’t match Gunn’s vision.
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Ben Barnes
Barnes is one of the actors fans are on board with to be the DCU’s Batman. He’s a charismatic performer with an ability to go darker that would make him great in the role. Barnes confirmed his interest in Batman in 2025, saying he was “ready to go” and become Batman if Gunn wanted him.
Even if that was a thought for Gunn before, the newly confirmed age range for Batman cuts Barnes from consideration. He is 45 years old, making him 12 years older than Corenswet. That’s too big of a gap for them to be considered around the same age.
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Theo James
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On top of fans pushing Theo James for James Bond, he’s also been a popular suggestion for Batman. His role in Netflix’s The Gentlemen has shown more of his suave demeanor, and he’s no stranger to major productions at this point. But at 41 years old and an 8-year age gap with Corenswet, he’s likely just beyond Batman’s desired age in the DCU.
This may come as a crushing blow to fans, but not to James. The actor distanced himself from this casting race in 2024, telling MovieDweeb, “I feel like there’s been about 70 Batmans. I feel like that’s pretty covered.” The response makes it clear he wasn’t gunning for the role then.
James has since said he wouldn’t want to be Bond due to how it would change his life. Becoming Batman would do the same. For that reason, and his age, his name can stop being discussed.
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Jake Gyllenhaal
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In terms of actors linked to DCU’s Batman casting rumors, Gyllenhaal is arguably the biggest and best actor of the bunch. He’d be a true movie star for the franchise to build around. He’s got the perfect personality and range to differentiate Batman and Bruce, while still making it clear how they play off the other. And after Gyllenhaal missed out on Batman Begins, this would be a long-awaited opportunity for him.
The bad news for the actor is that he’s already 45 years old, and he’ll be 46 by the end of 2026. Gyllenhaal would be an excellent choice if Gunn wanted a slightly older actor as Batman, but he’s hardly Corenswet’s contemporary. Barring the DCU’s plans changing or DC Studios’ new owners at Skydance pressuring them to get a legit big name in the role, Gyllenhaal is out once again.
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Jensen Ackles
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Jensen Ackles has been one of the most popular bits of DCU Batman fancasting from the beginning. The Supernatural, Tracker, and The Boys star has already proven he’s a great Batman through voicing the character in animated projects, like Batman: The Long Halloween. His deep, brooding voice is an excellent fit for The Dark Knight.
Ackles’ screen presence throughout his career shows he could be believable in live-action, too. Fans’ hopes of this casting have been fueled throughout 2026, with Ackles confirming his interest in being the DCU’s Batman.
At 48 years old, Ackles is one of the oldest actors fans have latched onto. But the 15-year age gap between him and Corenswet is too wide to make work with Gunn’s vision. By the time the DCU’s Batman debuts in live-action, Ackles will likely be over 50 years old, making it impossible for him to stay in the role as long as Gunn needs.
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Robert Pattinson
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Gunn’s idea for Batman’s age in the DCU is another knock against Pattinson continuing on, too. The Batman‘s star is already 40 years old, and he’ll be almost 42 by the time The Batman Part II comes out, even if he’s playing a version of Bruce Wayne still in his early 30s. That does make the on-screen Batman about the same age as Corenswet’s Superman, despite the actors’ 7-year gap in real life.
Even if Pattinson and Corenswet were the same age, merging The Batman into the DCU would still be unlikely. Matt Reeves has a specific take on Batman and Gotham that he and Gunn want to keep separate. Pattinson has even continued to throw cold water on the idea, suggesting he wouldn’t want to be Batman in as large a franchise as the DCU, even if he was age appropriate.
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