James Gunn's 'Batman' Reboot Could Make History With First Diverse Actor as the Dark Knight

A new Batman movie is officially in development at DC Studios. Directed by Andy Muschietti, who helmed the DCEU film The Flash (2023), the upcoming film, which forms part of the new DCU, is currently titled The Brave and the Bold and will adapt the DC comic book of the same name, following Bruce Wayne and his son Damian Wayne, AKA Robin.

While there’s no release date, The Brave and the Bold will follow last year’s Superman (2025), which stars David Corenswet and was written and directed by DC Studios’ co-CEO James Gunn, and this year’s Supergirl, which stars Milly Alcock as the lead. Next year, a Superman sequel will also hit theaters, which will likely arrive before the Batman reboot.

Watch the first trailer for Supergirl below:

What’s Happening With the DCU?

Lately, there’s been quite a bit of uncertainty surrounding the future of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DC Universe following Netflix’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.

However, in an interview with Businessweek (via Bloomberg) following the news that the streaming giant had won the bidding war, Warner Bros. Discovery President and CEO David Zaslav assured fans that the DCU will continue across TV and film as intended, saying:

“The work of James and Peter, their creative vision, it’s compelling and a great economic return. There’s no storytelling content that we have that provides a bigger palette than DC, and there’s nobody around right now who can tell these stories with the same imagination and excitement.

The DC universe is big enough and strong enough that it should be available on all platforms. There are some stories that are important to be told in theaters around the world, and some stories that are important to be told as series.”

While that puts minds to rest, fans still remain in the dark as to who the next Batman will be.

Rumors that Robert Pattinson’s version of the character from Matt Reeves’ standalone film The Batman (2022) will be integrated into the new DCU persist. However, the official plan is that DC Studios is on the lookout for a new actor to slip into the cape and cowl.

Batman Needs to Diversify

As names are still thrown around, from Alan Ritchson (Jack Reacher) to Josh Brolin (Avengers: Endgame), is it finally time for a diverse actor to respond to the Bat-signal?

Historically, the Caped Crusader has been played by White actors — Adam West (the ’60s series and film), Michael Keaton (Tim Burton’s films), Val Kilmer (Batman Forever), George Clooney (Batman & Robin), Christian Bale (The Dark Knight trilogy), Ben Affleck (the DCEU), and Robert Pattinson (The Batman). But now might be the time for diverse casting.

Of course, there are many worthy contenders.

Creed actor Michael B Jordan possesses the right level of grit and physicality and is no stranger to the superhero genre having starred in Fantastic Four (2015). Hollywood veteran Denzel Washington (The Equalizer) could also bring that depth, gravitas, and grit to the role.

Henry Golding of Last Christmas and Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins has proven that he can do charming and deadly — two ingredients essential to becoming Bruce Wayne and his alias.

There are many diverse actors who could easily bring Batman to life in the DCU. Of course, it’s possible Gunn and Safran have already picked the next Caped Crusader, but we’ll just have to wait and see.

DC Studios is yet to confirm who will be taking up the mantle of Batman in The Brave and the Bold.

Do you think it’s time a diverse actor played Batman? Let us know your thoughts in the comments down below!