James Gunn Drops a New Clue About the DCU’s Long-Awaited Batman Search
Few pieces of superhero casting have been speculated about as relentlessly as the next live-action Dark Knight. Since James Gunn and Peter Safran took over DC Studios, fans have scoured every interview, social media reply, and cryptic emoji for hints about who will wear the cowl.
The wait has been especially noticeable because Batman is already on screens in another form. Matt Reeves’ ‘The Batman Part II’ is an Elseworlds movie with no connection to the shared universe, and it is set for release on February 18, 2028. Meanwhile, the DCU’s next release is ‘Clayface,’ which arrives on October 23.
Now Gunn has offered the clearest update yet on where the DCU’s own Batman stands. According to Collider, the DC Studios co-chief says casting for ‘Batman: The Brave and the Bold’ is “not far away,” while confirming that no actor has been chosen. Gunn said the process will not take much longer, adding that Batman “isn’t cast yet, by the way.”
The timeline is not the only interesting part. Gunn also made clear that he is hunting for the right performer rather than the biggest name on the call sheet. He said he is excited about picking a Batman who is truly the best actor for the role.
That approach extends to how he thinks about actors already in his orbit. Gunn suggested that even someone handed a small part in a project like ‘The Suicide Squad’ would not be ruled out if that person turned out to be the best fit. He also dismissed rumors that Batman has been secretly cast as “all bullsh-t.”
Age appears to be a real factor, too. Gunn said the actor will probably be around the same age as Superman star David Corenswet, who is currently 33. Gunn noted that Batman and Superman are roughly the same age, and Superman is in his early 30s in the 2025 movie.
None of this has stopped the rumor mill. An unofficial ‘Batman: The Brave and the Bold’ account on X posted a rumored cast list that named Jensen Ackles as Bruce Wayne, but Gunn shot it down on Threads. The episode shows how quickly unverified casting lists spread when the studio has been this tight-lipped.
The film itself may also look different from what fans first imagined. The movie was originally set to center on Bruce Wayne and his biological son Damian Wayne, but when a fan asked on Threads whether the plans had changed creatively since 2023, Gunn simply replied, “Yep.” Whether it has moved away from the Damian storyline or will simply feature a younger Bruce remains to be seen.
It is also worth remembering how far the conversation has come. When a follower asked Gunn on Instagram how close the studio was to casting Batman back in 2023, he answered, “Miles and miles away.” More recently, Gunn revealed that a number of big-name actors have reached out about playing the character.
Gunn has also been firm that the project will not be rushed. He has said production will not begin until he has an exceptional script in hand, and that Batman will not appear in another DCU project before ‘The Brave and the Bold.’ He has also pushed back on claims of a delay, noting that a film cannot be delayed if it has not yet started production.
For fans, that adds up to a hopeful but patient message. A casting announcement may be nearing, but it looks like it will be driven by talent and fit rather than star wattage. With ‘The Batman Part II’ still ahead on the calendar, the DCU’s Dark Knight may arrive on his own terms, and when he does, the reveal will likely be one of the biggest moments of the DC Studios era.
