Alan Ritchson Wants to Be the DCU’s Batman (& Here Are 5 Reasons It Might Happen This Time)

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Alan Ritchson, who plays Reacher, has often expressed his desire to play Batman. Although Robert Pattinson is currently in the role for Matt Reeves’ The Batman, it’s important to note that this franchise isn’t part of James Gunn’s DC Universe. This leaves an opportunity for Ritchson to potentially step into the role. Recently, Gunn mentioned on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast that he hasn’t directly approached casting Batman yet, but that could change soon. With Superman being a success, it’s clear that the DCU will be progressing according to Gunn and Peter Safran’s plans.

In the upcoming schedule for DCU films, we’ve got a double feature coming in 2026: “Supergirl” and “Clayface”. Following that, we’ll see “The Authority”, and then a film that will introduce Batman titled “The Brave and the Bold”. With this lineup, it seems the time for selecting someone to wear the cape and cowl is fast approaching. Could Ritchson have what it takes to land the role?

1) Ritchson Has Physicality

Among all the actors who’ve portrayed Batman, I firmly believe Ritchson stands out as the most muscular. Now, don’t get me wrong; other actors, such as Ben Affleck, Robert Pattinson, and Val Kilmer, have certainly put on some serious muscle for their roles. But when it comes to sheer size and bulk, Ritchson takes the cake.

It’s plausible that the wrongdoers who encounter Batman feel intimidated by him. Standing at 6’3″, Ritchson shares height with Affleck as they both tie for the title of tallest Batman (Pattinson is 6’1″, Kilmer was 6’0″, Christian Bale and Michael Keaton are also 6’0″, while George Clooney is slightly taller at 5’11”). He certainly would cut an imposing figure in the cape and cowl, towering over his foes.

2) What Amounts to an Endorsement From Gunn

As a die-hard fan of the DC Universe, I must admit that when it comes to shaping its future, the reigns are in the capable hands of James Gunn and Peter Safran. Personally, I have no qualms with the idea of casting Ritchson for a role within this universe, given his impressive acting skills and on-screen presence.

On the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Gunn expressed his admiration for Alan Ritchson, stating, “I’m a big fan of Alan Ritchson, both as an actor and as a person… let’s see what transpires.” Although this statement doesn’t explicitly hint at Gunn favoring Ritchson, it does suggest that Ritchson is being considered for the role. In the world of superhero movies, creators must keep their cards close to their chest until official announcements are made, and this comment seems to indicate that Reacher could be a potential choice.

3) Genuine Interest on Ritchson’s Part

For some time now, Ritchson has been expressing his desire to play Batman. In fact, as early as March, he demonstrated his Batman voice and shared it with the public. His passion for this role is so intense that in the same month, he stated he wouldn’t even require payment from DC for his contributions.

Clearly, they’d need to compensate him for it, yet this demonstrates quite clearly how passionate he is about landing that specific role. Giving it his absolute best, it would be prudent of DCU to give him serious thought.

4) A Rising Star

Prior to donning the iconic Batman suit, each actor was already a well-known and commercially successful performer. George Clooney was known from his work on ER, Robert Pattinson gained fame through Twilight, Ben Affleck had been an A-list celebrity for almost two decades, Christian Bale was recognized for American Psycho, Val Kilmer had made a name for himself in Top Gun and Tombstone, while Michael Keaton had established himself in comedies such as Beetlejuice and Mr. Mom.

Thanks to the character Reacher, Ritchson’s career has experienced significant growth. Just a year after making his debut as Lee Child’s renowned character, he joined the Fast and Furious series. He collaborated with Guy Ritchie on The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, and there are several other studio films scheduled for release soon. He is well-established, highly marketable, and an excellent fit for the role of Batman.

5) The Right Age

I find it fascinating to note that I’m a year younger than Ben Affleck was when he entered the DC Extended Universe in “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.” Interestingly, I’m seven years older than Robert Pattinson, twelve years older than Christian Bale, and six years older than both Val Kilmer and George Clooney in their Batman roles. Remarkably, I’m five years younger than Michael Keaton was when he first donned the iconic cape and cowl as Batman.

The previous comparison is significantly significant. In “Batman v Superman”, Bruce Wayne has already been deeply involved in the superhero scene. On the other hand, in “The Brave and the Bold”, Wayne will have a son named Damian Wayne, who coincidentally becomes Robin. It’s quite believable that an actor of 42 would have enough experience to portray a seasoned superhero, a father, and a son who is old enough for his father to start training him in the ways of his superhero lifestyle.

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2025-07-27 00:11