Alan Ritchson might not be the DC Universe‘s next Batman, but James Gunn and Peter Safran would be better off casting the Reacher star as the Dark Knight’s replacement. With DC Studios actively developing its new Batman mythology, the search for the right actors offers plenty of opportunities beyond simply filling Gotham’s most famous cape and cowl.
Ritchson has become a popular fan-casting choice thanks to his imposing physical presence, action credentials, and experience playing morally complicated characters. His performance as Jack Reacher flaunts his ability to carry a brutal fight sequence, while his earlier work in superhero television means he’s already familiar with comic-book adaptations. Nevertheless, fan enthusiasm doesn’t necessarily translate into a realistic casting decision, particularly when a studio has a specific vision for its characters.
Recent comments from DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran have made the actor’s prospects particularly interesting. Although nothing has been confirmed, the executive has acknowledged discussions about potential projects and praised Ritchson’s untapped dramatic range.
Rather than cast Ritchson as Batman, DC Studios should consider a character whose history offers a different kind of challenge. The opportunity could allow him to retain the imposing physicality that audiences3 love while exploring the psychological darkness that makes Gotham’s wider mythology so compelling.
Despite Fancasts, Alan Ritchson Probably Won’t Be The DCU’s Batman
For years, Ritchson has been a popular choice among fans imagining who could replace Robert Pattinson as Batman in the DCU. His muscular build and commanding screen presence make the comparison understandable, particularly after his physically demanding performance in Amazon’s Reacher. However, the latest casting update suggests that Bruce Wayne’s next big-screen incarnation may require a different fit.
On October 29, 2026, James Gunn confirmed that the DCU’s Batman has not been cast yet, adding that the process is approaching. Crucially, Gunn indicated that Batman and David Corenswet’s Superman would be roughly the same age. Corenswet is 33, making Ritchson, who is 43, a less obvious match for Gunn’s intended dynamic.
Ritchson himself has already tempered expectations. In a 2025 interview with Variety, he acknowledged discussions about the role but said, “I strongly don’t think that Batman is in my future.” He nevertheless expressed enthusiasm about working with Gunn, adding that he believed something else might lie ahead for him at DC.
The new Batman needs to fit the DCU’s intended relationship between Bruce and his son, Damian Wayne, in The Brave and the Bold. Ritchson might look the part, but another character could make considerably better use of his strengths.
Alan Ritchson’s DCU Casting Still Seems Likely To Happen
There is more substance to Ritchson’s DC prospects than fancasting alone. Speaking to Collider in October 2026, Safran confirmed that DC Studios had discussed potential projects with the actor. “We talked about a couple things, but nothing that’s come to fruition at this point,” he explained, while praising Ritchson and suggesting audiences had yet to see the full extent of his abilities.
Those comments are encouraging, although they aren’t confirmation that Ritchson has accepted a role. Safran didn’t identify any characters under consideration or provide a timetable for an announcement. The important takeaway is that the studio has shown genuine interest in finding a place for him.
Ritchson also has an established history with DC adaptations. He played Arthur Curry, better known as Aquaman, in Smallville before portraying Hank Hall, aka Hawk, in Titans. Neither role establishes a place for him in Gunn’s continuity, but they demonstrate his familiarity with the demands of superhero performances.
In July 2026, Ritchson also indicated that conversations with DC concerned a character other than Batman. He has emphasized that any project must be creatively worthwhile, rather than accepting a role simply because it carries a recognizable name. Ritchson suggested, “I want to play somebody a little dirtier than your typical clean-cut protagonist.” That attitude makes an interesting, morally complicated character particularly appealing.
Alan Ritchson Would Be Even Better For Azrael Than Batman
Jean-Paul Valley, better known as Azrael, offers precisely the combination of physicality and psychological conflict that could suit Ritchson. Introduced in Batman: Sword of Azrael in 1992, Valley is trained by the Order of St. Dumas to become a weapon in the service of its religious mission. His conditioning and violent methods make him a very different kind of vigilante from Bruce Wayne.
Azrael’s most famous storyline is “Knightfall”, in which Bane breaks Batman’s back and leaves Gotham without its usual protector. Bruce turns to Jean-Paul to take up the mantle, but the arrangement quickly becomes dangerous. Jean-Paul defeats Bane, yet his increasingly aggressive methods, upgraded armor, and refusal to follow Bruce’s principles turn him into a troubling substitute. He is capable of protecting Gotham, but he struggles to understand what separates justice from vengeance.
Ritchson could make the character’s physical brutality convincing without reducing him to another muscle-bound antagonist. His work in Reacher shows how effectively he can portray a formidable fighter, but Safran’s comments about his untapped depth point toward conveying the vulnerability beneath Jean-Paul’s conditioning.
Azrael could also give Ritchson a distinctive visual identity. His armor, sword, and religious imagery distinguish him from Batman’s familiar silhouette, while his conflicted relationship with the Dark Knight offers a richer dramatic challenge than simply playing another version of Bruce Wayne.
Why The DCU Should Eventually Introduce Azrael To The Movies
Azrael would bring something genuinely different to the DCU’s Gotham mythology. Batman’s moral code is central to his character, but Jean-Paul Valley’s history asks what happens when someone with comparable physical abilities inherits the mission without understanding its limits. His willingness to injure or kill criminals makes him a compelling foil for Bruce, especially if their disagreement develops into a conflict over the meaning of justice.
That dynamic could work particularly well alongside The Brave and the Bold, which is expected to explore Batman’s relationship with Damian Wayne. Damian was raised by the League of Assassins and has struggled with the violent methods taught to him, creating an obvious thematic connection with Jean-Paul’s upbringing. Introducing Azrael later could give the DCU another way to examine whether a person trained to kill can genuinely become a hero.
Most importantly, Azrael would let Ritchson play a character whose physical strength is inseparable from his flaws. Batman needs discipline, detective skills, and a carefully calibrated sense of restraint. Jean-Paul’s story is about what happens when those qualities are missing, and Alan Ritchson could make that struggle every bit as compelling as the fight scenes. Rather than casting him as another Batman, DC Studios could give him a role that challenges both the actor and the franchise.
- Cast
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Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Ezra Miller, Ray Fisher, Jason Momoa, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg, Laurence Fishburne, Jeremy Irons, Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, Joel Kinnaman, Viola Davis, Jai Courtney, Jay Hernandez, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Cara Delevingne, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Zachary Levi, Dwayne Johnson, Amber Heard, Patrick Wilson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Mark Strong, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer, Djimon Hounsou, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett, Rosie Perez, Ella Jay Basco, Ali Wong, Ewan McGregor, Idris Elba, John Cena, Michael Keaton, George Clooney, Xolo Mariduena
- Created by
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Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson
- Character(s)
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Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, The Flash, Cyborg, Harley Quinn, The Joker, Shazam, Darkseid, Amanda Waller, Lex Luthor, Doomsday, Deadshot, Deathstroke, Black Canary, Black Adam
- Movie(s)
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Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman, Justice League, Aquaman, Shazam!, Birds of Prey, Wonder Woman 1984, Zack Snyder’s Justice League, The Suicide Squad, Black Adam, Shazam! The Fury of the Gods, The Flash, Blue Beetle, Superman, The Brave and the Bold
