James Gunn Is an Alan Ritchson Fan, Talks His Batman Prospects for DCU

James Gunn Is an Alan Ritchson Fan, Talks His Batman Prospects for DCU

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James Gunn recently addressed the growing fan speculation surrounding Alan Ritchson as a potential candidate for the DCU’s Batman. In a new interview, he commented on the casting rumors, shared his personal view of Ritchson, and offered a measured response that sparked further interest in the Reacher star’s connection to the role.

James Gunn responds to Alan Ritchson’s Batman fancasts

Speaking with Josh Horowitz on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, James Gunn responded to ongoing fan-casting discussions involving Ritchson, saying, “I am a big Alan Ritchson fan, both as an actor and as a guy… let’s just wait to see what happens.” In a separate Collider interview, he reiterated, “I haven’t thought of casting yet.”

Gunn did not confirm whether he is considering Ritchson for the role but showed more hesitation than usual in shutting down the rumor. When asked directly if Ritchson could be the next Batman, Gunn paused before replying on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, “Let’s see where the script comes in. It’s not the furthest along thing. We have things that are much further along than that.”

May be an image of 1 person, Superman and text

Regarding Batman’s first appearance in the DCU, Gunn told Collider that he wouldn’t confirm if The Brave and the Bold would mark the official debut. He added that it would “probably not” release in the same calendar year as The Batman: Part II, which arrives on October 1, 2027. The animated Creature Commandos briefly featured the DCU Batman in silhouette, but DC has not cast a live-action actor yet.

Matt Reeves and Mattson Tomlin recently turned in the script for The Batman 2, and Gunn reacted by saying, “I like it. For sure, we’re headed in the right direction. There are some things that we’ve still got to work out. But it’s headed in the right direction, for sure.”

Alan Ritchson, who previously played Hawk in Titans and currently stars in Reacher, has expressed strong interest in the Batman role, stating in an interview with WIRED, “You wouldn’t even have to pay me to be Batman… ‘Gotham is mine.’ Look at that. I don’t even have to practice.”