Alan Ritchson comments on the fan campaign for him to play Batman in James Gunn’s DCU.

Alan Ritchson is rumored to be James Gunn's Batman

James Gunn’s DCU doesn’t have an official Batman yet and Reacher actor Alan Ritchson would love the part.

The DCEU ended with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, and James Gunn is to reboot the DC Universe with the upcoming Superman: Legacy. Although part of the cast, including lead actors David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan as Superman and Lois Lane, respectively, as well as Nicholas Hoult as the new Lex Luthor, has been announced, there is no official announcement regarding who will play Bruce Wayne/ Batman.

Amid fans speculating and dream-casting Reacher’s Alan Ritchson as Batman, the actor told BroBible’s Post Credit Podcast that the interest fans have in him playing Batman is “a real honor and privilege.”

Alan Ritchson as Jack Reacher sitting at a diner booth opposite Malcolm Goodwin as Oscar Finlay.
Fast X's Aimes (Alan Ritchson) with smoke behind him. Alan Ritchson is Anders Lassen in The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare Alan Ritchson as Aquaman on Smallville

Ritchson’s career is expanding following his lead role in the Prime Video hit show Reacher, as well as Guy Ritchie’s upcoming film, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, where he stars alongside Henry Cavill.“The fact that people are interested in me playing Batman is a real honor and privilege,” Ritchson said.

“It’s one of the first characters I fell in love with as a child: I still remember the big, long pistol coming out of Joker’s pants as he goes to shoot down the Batplane.”

“Those iconic moments really resonated with me as a child. For there to even be a conversation or a rumor mill surrounding this role, for me… all I can do is laugh. I just think it’s wild that’s where we are,” he admitted.

The actor went on to explain that he doubts he’s the right choice for the part because he’s perhaps “too old.” Ritchson continued, “Who knows what they have planned for the franchise? If they want to go much younger and tell these origin stories, sounds like that’s kind of…”

When told that the DCU’s Batman will need to be old enough to be Robin’s father, Ritchson continued, “Okay, then, you know… I would love to. I would absolutely love to. It’s one of the coolest characters of all time.”

The DC Universe’s Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, will also include a Batman solo film. Titled The Brave and the Bold, the film will follow Batman and the Damian Wayne version of Robin. At the time of publication, there’s no official cast or release date available.

Alan Ritchson’s Roles So Far Prepared Him For Batman

Alan Ritchson has some experience with the superhero world, which could come in handy should he ever be cast as Batman. The actor played a young Arthur Curry, aka Aquaman, in the Superman series Smallville.

He also starred in the DC Series Titans as Hawk, and lent his voice to Raphael in 2014’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and its 2016 sequel. The actor also has an uncredited appearance in DC’s Legends of Tomorrow as Earth-9’s Hooded Vigilante.

Ritchson has been interested in superhero roles for a long time. He was one of the actors who auditioned for the role of Thor. He lost the role to Chris Hemsworth. but he ended up starring in films like The Hunger Games: Catching Fire or Fast X. His action-packed series Reacher also proved Alan Ritchson has the looks to embody Batman’s presence. However, so far, it hasn’t been confirmed whether Ritchson has had any official conversation with James Gunn for the role.