Mintaha Neslihan Eroglu/Anadolu Agency/Getty Alan Ritchson says he's talked to DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn about playing Batman. TheReacherstar stresses that he "strongly" doesn't believe he'll be tapped to play the Caped Crusader. However, the actor thinks "there is something in my future with DC." IsAlan Ritchsongoing batty? The short answer: probably not. TheReacherstar recently discussed the persistent rumors that he's being eyed to play Batman inJames Gunn's DCU inan interview withVariety— and said he's talked about playing the Dark Knight with Gunn himself. "It's not rumor that James Gunn is a fan," Ritchson said. "He said it himself. And am I a fan of James Gunn? Absolutely. I don't want to mislead people. Words have been exchanged about Batman." David Livingston/Getty However, Ritchson suspects that he won't be Gunn's first choice to play the next iteration of the Caped Crusader. "I strongly don't think that Batman is in my future," he opined. The actor does think that he'll eventually play a different comic book character in Gunn's new interconnected superhero universe, though. "I do think there is something in my future with DC," Ritchson said. "And I would like that to remain true." Ritchson, who previously played Hank Hall/Hawk on the DC seriesTitansand Arthur Curry/Aquaman in four episodes ofSmallville, voiced his desire to portray Bruce Wayne and his crime-fighting alter ego inan interview withWiredin March. "I get asked every day if I'm playing Batman," he said. "Would I play Batman? Yes. Would I pay handsomely to be Batman? You wouldn't even have to pay me to be Batman. I would don the suit." In July, Josh Horowitzasked Gunnabout the possibility of Ritchson playing the character on theHappy Sad Confusedpodcast. "I am a big Alan Ritchson fan, both as an actor and as a guy," Gunn said. "Let's just wait to see what happens." But in the same interview, Gunn clarified that wasn't particularly close to casting a new Batman, as the DCU's first Batman project is still fairly far away. "Sure, there's people out there I think about, but let's see where the script comes in," he said. "It's not the furthest-along thing. We have things that are much, much further along." Gunn firstannouncedin 2023 that his retooled DC Studios would produce two cinematic Batmen simultaneously. One Batman is being played byRobert Pattinson, who portrayed the character in 2022'sThe Batman, and will continue to exist in a standalone universe disconnected from other DC heroes. That standalone Bat-verse was expanded with 2024'sThe Penguinspinoff series starringColin Farrell, and will continue with the long-awaitedThe Batman Part II, which is currently slated to hit theaters in 2027. Jonathan Olley/DC Comics Want more movie news? Sign up forEntertainment Weekly's free newsletterto get the latest trailers, celebrity interviews, film reviews, and more. Gunn's other Batman, who has yet to be cast, will serve as the Dark Knight for the DCU — the interconnected universe that so far consists ofSuperman,Peacemakerseason 2, and the animatedCreature Commandosseries, and will continue next year with the movieSupergirl: Woman of Tomorrowand the Green Lantern HBO seriesLanterns. The DCU Batman will eventually headline the movieThe Brave and the Bold, described as a father-son story about Batman and Robin.Andy Muschietti, who previously helmedThe Flash, ison board to direct. Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly
