The DCU Already Showed Us Exactly How Tom Welling’s Batman Casting Dreams Can Become Reality

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The upcoming DC Universe releases for 2025 demonstrate a path to fulfilling fans’ hopes of seeing Tom Welling as Batman, even if he isn’t cast as the primary Dark Knight. While we’ve gotten a first look at the DCU’s Batman in Creature Commandos, details about this version of the hero – and the city of Gotham – are still scarce.

The upcoming Clayface movie in 2026 could be a great opportunity to expand the world of Gotham City, but it doesn’t seem like DC Universe will be casting its live-action Batman anytime soon. Several well-known actors, including Tom Welling, who famously played Superman in Smallville, have expressed interest. Luckily, the DCU appears to have a simple way to potentially cast Welling as Batman, regardless of what direction they take with the main Batman character.

Tom Welling’s DC Universe Batman Casting Dreams Seem Especially Possible Thanks To One 2025 Release

Tom Welling is well-known for playing Superman in Smallville, which has made him a popular figure in superhero television. Because of this, fans have often hoped he’d join the DC Universe. Welling has even said he’d be interested in playing Batman if given the opportunity, sharing this at Liverpool Comic-Con.

Look, the big question on everyone’s mind is whether Tom Welling could really be the Batman James Gunn envisions for the new DC Universe, especially since Gunn recently told IGN that their plans for The Brave and the Bold have shifted. But honestly, even if he doesn’t fit that specific role, the DCU has a solid path to still bring Welling into the Bat-family – and I think that’s a really smart move for them.

The show Peacemaker revealed that the DC Universe includes multiple alternate dimensions with different versions of familiar characters. This opens up a possibility for bringing Tom Welling in as Batman without necessarily making him the definitive Batman of the main DC Universe.

Why Having Tom Welling Play A Version Of Batman In The DCU Would Be A Wise Move

Photo Credit: Jonathan Olley / © Warner Bros. / Courtesy Everett Collection

Look, as a critic, I get the excitement around the idea of Tom Welling potentially playing Batman in the DCU. It’s a clever nod to the past, especially given his work on ‘Smallville’. Honestly, the guy can play a major superhero – he proved that as a fantastic Superman. So, seeing him step into the cape and cowl feels like a smart move that could really work.

Turning this idea into reality would offer even more advantages. Since the new DC Universe has already caused some division by changing what happened in previous DC films, it would be smart to show respect for DC’s history. Bringing back beloved actors, especially with others already joining the DCU in new parts, would be a great way to do that.

Recent hits like Spider-Man: No Way Home and Deadpool & Wolverine – and even Superman to a certain extent – demonstrate how much audiences enjoy nostalgia and revisiting classic superhero stories. Because of this, bringing Tom Welling in to play Batman in some capacity would likely be a smart move for the DC Universe, benefiting it in multiple ways.

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2025-11-19 16:58