Alan Ritchson is one of the leading fancasts to play Batman in James Gunn’s DC Universe, and a few factors explain why the casting would work.
SUMMARY
Alan Ritchson’s experience with DC heroes like Aquaman and his physicality from Reacher make him a strong fit for Batman.
Ritchson’s ability to play both sides of Bruce Wayne, along with his passion for the role, further support his casting.
Given the planned 10-year DCU strategy, Ritchson’s commitment and past DC roles position him as the ideal Batman for the franchise.
Alan Ritchson is one of the actors DC Universe fans want to see become the new Batman, and the star’s past and current credits show why he would be a great fit for the role. While Ben Affleck played the Dark Knight of the DCEU, the actor will be recast for James Gunn’s DCU, just like Henry Cavill was for Superman: Legacy with David Corenswet. Robert Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne will return for The Batman – Part II, with that universe existing as an Elseworlds, which means a new star will be joining the ranks of the live-action Batman actors.
The DCU’s Batman will debut in the announced The Brave and the Bold movie. The upcoming DCU film will be directed by The Flash‘s Andy Muschietti. In the movie, Bruce Wayne will discover that he has a son, Damian, and will have to get to know him, with DC finally bringing a version of Batman and Robin to the big screen for the first time since 1997’s Batman & Robin. Multiple actors have been rumored to play the DCU’s Batman — including fan-favorite Jensen Ackles — but Ritchson might just be the best candidate for a few reasons.
10. Alan Ritchson Has Already Played One Of DC’s Biggest Heroes
He Got His DC Start In Smallville
If he got to play Batman in the DCU, it would be the second time that Ritchson would be bringing one of the most famous heroes from DC Comics to life. Ritchson’s relationship with DC started in the Superman prequel series Smallville.
There, Ritchson gave life to Arthur Curry, aka Aquaman. While Smallville‘s budget was far from what the DCU could do for The Brave and the Bold, the actor showed in the series that he does not feel the pressure of playing one of DC’s biggest characters, with Ritchson’s Aquaman becoming a fan-favorite.
9. Ritchson’s Jack Reacher Shows How Perfect His Batman Would Be
The Action Series Became A Worldwide Hit
Ritchson has become a popular candidate to play the DCU’s Batman in the eyes of fans due to his star turn as Jack Reacher in Amazon Prime Video’s Reacher. The hit series features multiple scenes that let audiences get a feel for what Ritchson’s Batman could look like.
Like Batman, Reacher is a hand-to-hand fight expert who also possesses impressive detective skills and is always calm, no matter how dire the circumstances. Also, some scenes of Reacher interrogating suspects just scream Batman, helping Ritchson’s case for the role.
8. Ritchson Can Easily Play Both Sides Of Bruce Wayne
The Actor Has Shown Great Range Over The Years
While Ritchson seems built for action roles, the actor has incredible range. Ritchson’s new movie Ordinary Angels is a showcase of his dramatic chops, which, allied to his action star turn in Reacher, make a compelling case for his casting as Batman.
As for the Bruce Wayne side of the character, Blue Mountain State and Titans had the actor show both his goofiness and playboy side, a must for a good portrayal of Bruce, who needs to be convincing as a rich man with no care in the world to take attention off of his work as Batman.
7. Ritchson Could Be The Most Physically Imposing Batman Yet
The Reacher Actor Is Known For His Physicality
Throughout his career, Ritchson has made a name for himself due to his impressive physicality, with Ritchson showing a dedication to bulk up as much as needed for whatever part he is up for. As such, Ritchson could play the most physically imposing Batman yet.
At a reported height of 6′ 3” — just a little over the currently tallest Batman, Ben Affleck, at 6′ 2¼” — and a weight of over 240lbs, according to a deleted Instagram post from the actor, which would also top Affleck’s roughly 230lbs as Batman, Ritchson would be a Batman like no other.
6. Alan Ritchson’s Franchise Roles Prepared Him To Play A Major Role In The DCU
DC Is Not The Only Franchise Ritchson’s Been A Part Of
One of the reasons why Ritchson would be a great choice to play Batman in the new DCU is that the actor already has experience with popular franchises.
With roles in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, two Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles live-action movies as Raphael, Agent Aimes in Fast X, and more, Ritchson is ready to play a major role in a cinematic universe. The actor would not feel any pressure as Batman, having the talent and experience to handle everything that comes with the role both on and off the set.
5. Ritchson’s Age Fits The Brave And The Bold’s Story For Bruce
The DCU’s Bruce Wayne Will Be A Father
Gunn has revealed that the core story of The Brave and the Bold will revolve around Bruce discovering that he is a father to a young Damian Wayne. Adding to that, more Bat-Family members will appear in The Brave and the Bold.
At 41, Ritchson could realistically play a Batman that has gone through multiple Robins before reaching Damian. The actor is also able to keep playing Batman for at least the duration of Gunn and Peter Safran’s initial 10-year DCU plan. While a younger Batman was expected for the DCU reboot, an older actor makes sense for the Bat-Family.
Ritchson Played Hawk In DC’s Titans Series
While Ritchson started his DC journey by playing Aquaman in Smallville, the actor would later play another hero, Hank Hall, aka Hawk, in Titans.
In the DC series, Hawk interacted with multiple versions of Robin, with Ritchson sharing the screen with Brenton Thwaites’ Dick Grayson as Robin and Nightwing, Curran Walters’ Jason Todd as Robin and Red Hood, and Jay Licurgo’s Tim Drake. With his experience with different Robins and elements from the Batman mythos, such as Wayne Manor, Ritchson is prepared to become Batman.
3. Ritchson Is Passionate About Playing Batman
The Actor Has Commented On His DCU Batman Rumors
Following the emergence of rumors that Ritchson is on DC’s radar to play the DCU’s Batman, the actor commented on taking on the Dark Knight’s mantle in The Brave and the Bold.
Ritchson addressed his DCU Batman casting rumors last December, saying, “With all the rumors flying that I’m supposed to be playing Batman, how can I knock Batman? I would love to play Batman.” With Corenswet being a major Superman fan, it would only be right that the actor who plays the DCU’s Batman is just as passionate about the role, which would be Ritchson’s case.
2. Ritchson Has Plenty Of Experience With Fight Scenes
His DCU Batman Would Be A Force To Be Reckoned With
Ritchson’s career has seen the actor take on a slew of physically demanding roles. The star has shown that he can excel in fight scenes, with Reacher being a prime example of all that Ritchson has to offer as the DCU’s Batman where action is concerned.
It is no secret that the actor is built like a tank, and Ritchson has the experience with fight scenes to make the most of his physique onscreen. With Batman being an expert hand-to-hand fighter, Ritchson could bring incredible fight sequences with the hero’s Rogues Gallery to the DCU.
1. Ritchson’s Multiple DC Roles Show He Would Commit To The DCU
James Gunn Has A 10-Year DCU Plan
Finally, Ritchson’s DC past confirms that he would be perfect for the DCU’s Batman. Given how DC Studios co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran have started planning the next ten years of the DCU, an actor who would commit to that long-term plan is needed for Batman.
With Ritchson’s first DC role in Smallville coming in 2005, with the actor once again playing a DC role in Titans from 2018-2021, Ritchson would likely be game to stay on as Batman for as long as the DCU will have him, making him the perfect candidate for DC’s new Bruce Wayne.
