A Huge Star Wants To Play Batman For James Gunn, But The DC Head Isn’t So Sure

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Whenever a new *Batman* project is announced, fans immediately start sharing their dream casting choices. But with James Gunn’s upcoming DC Universe – starting with *Chapter One: Gods and Monsters* – Gunn is being very selective about who will play Batman in future movies. The director and DC Studios co-CEO says a major star is interested in the role, but he’s a little unsure about moving forward.

I was listening to the *House of R* podcast with Mallory Rubin, and James Gunn directly tackled all the rumors about casting a huge star in his DC projects. He admitted someone pretty famous *has* reached out, but he’s actually hesitant about bringing in a big name. He seems to think it might not be the best approach, and he explained his reasoning on the show.

Yes, I definitely have some actors in mind for Batman. I have a list of people I think would be great. It’s similar to how I approached casting Superman – I had favorites, but ultimately David Corenswet got the role. So, people are welcome to speculate, and they might even be right about a few things, but I’m not saying anything for sure.

The director of *Superman* emphasized that even famous actors need to earn their place in Gotham. He then described how he approached the casting process.

I probably won’t cast someone who assumes a major star, like Sylvester Stallone, is automatically getting the role without even auditioning. I’m imagining a situation where a huge star wouldn’t need to try out, but it’s unlikely for the Batman role. Though, there is one well-known actor who’s expressed interest, and we’ve discussed it. I’m just not sure if it will happen. It’s not a great answer, but I’m being honest – that’s the reality of the situation.

The main point is this: no matter how famous you are, landing a role like Batman still requires going through the same tough audition process as everyone else.

The director highlighted the casting of David Corenswet as Superman as evidence that he prioritized finding the right actor for his vision, rather than a famous one-and it clearly paid off. Corenswet impressed everyone on set, and the film-now available on HBO Max-quickly silenced critics. In my opinion, he’s the best actor to play Superman in a live-action movie since Christopher Reeve. I truly believe that!

The choices being made for the next Dark Knight film follow the approach James Gunn has outlined since taking charge at DC. Instead of simply casting well-known actors in the roles, the goal is to create a universe focused on strong characters. This movie, in particular, aims to show Bruce Wayne’s development into the iconic Batman we know, rather than relying on a famous actor just to please fans. It’s about building a character arc that will continue in *The Brave and the Bold*.

HBO Max subscriptions start at $9.99 per month. With a subscription, you can watch Batman movies and TV shows, along with thousands of other films, shows, and documentaries. The ‘With Ads’ plan is available for $9.99 monthly, and other plans are also offered. See the deal here.

Everyone’s buzzing about who will play this major new character, and the guessing will likely continue until the official announcement. I think Alan Ritchson or Tyler Hoechlin, who’ve both said they’d be interested, are strong possibilities. However, James Gunn seems to discourage the idea of a big-name, obvious choice. But let’s be real – that won’t stop fans from wildly speculating, and that’s part of what makes waiting for a superhero movie so enjoyable!

I’m hearing all the buzz about who might play Batman next, but it sounds like James Gunn isn’t going to pick the actor based on how famous they are. He wants someone who *becomes* Batman, you know? While we wait to see who that will be, at least we know Robert Pattinson is coming back for *The Batman Part II* – thankfully, it’s scheduled for release on October 1, 2027!

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2025-09-21 19:08