10
Credit: DC / Warner Bros.Is this DC’s choice for a new Batman?
Related: DC’s Choice of Robin for Upcoming ‘Batman’ Reboot Questioned by Fans
Following the Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) merger, the studio underwent significant restructuring, resulting in the departure of Walter Hamada, the former head of WB’s DC film division. James Gunn, known for directing the Guardians of the Galaxy series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) for The Walt Disney Company and The Suicide Squad (2021) (different from the 2016 Suicide Squad featuring Jared Leto as the Joker), stepped in to succeed Hamada, alongside co-CEO Peter Safran.
In the latest phase of the DC Universe (DCU), titled “Chapter One – Gods and Monsters,” James Gunn and his newly established DC Studios are preparing to overhaul the previous DCEU for a fresh start.
The main focus is on the upcoming film, SUPERMAN, inspired by the DC Comics series of the same name. This film aims to reboot the narrative continuity of director Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel and Justice League, known as the “Snyderverse.”
Now, it appears as if James Gunn has found an actor to play an iconic role in the upcoming DC Universe.
Has DC Found Its New Batman?
Taking cues from Disney’s Marvel Studios, DC Studios appears poised to bring about a whole new generation of heroes to the big screen, in a rejuvenated and rebooted DC Comics-inspired shared cinematic universe.
Related: Michael Keaton’s Batman History Explained as Official “Burton-Verse” Sequel Looms
The days of Michael Keaton’s Batman are seemingly long gone. While Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) introduced Ben Affleck as Batman/Bruce Wayne in the DCEU (now completely gone from the DC picture), in contrast, Gunn’s DCU will launch an entirely new Batman storyline in an upcoming movie currently titled The Brave and the Bold.
Amid rumors like Jake Gyllenhaal taking on the role of Batman, it seems as if DC Studios has found their very own former Robin (yes, of “Batman and Robin” fame), Nightwing/Dick Grayson in Shazam! (2019) and sequel Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023) star Asher Angel (Billy Batson, AKA Shazam).
What’s especially interesting? The fact that this particular iteration of Nightwing might just be taking on the mantle of Batman from Bruce Wayne in The Brave and the Bold, if former reports and rumors are to be believed.
Recently, Angel took to X/Twitter to share this cryptic moving image (GIF) with fans of his — seemingly confirming his involvement in the DC Universe, which is looking to fill its roster of heroes:
@asherangel: (animated Dick Grayson as Nightwing talking while holding finger in air)
— Asher Angel (@asherangel) May 12, 2024
It’s more than possible that Angel will take on the role of the Dark Knight, AKA the Batman, in the upcoming film — as all signs are pointing to CEO Gunn taking on a deliberately different approach to Matt Reeves’ The Batman universe (set within the DCU’s new “DC Elseworlds” banner) starring Robert Pattinson as a young Bruce Wayne/Batman.
The Brave and the Bold will likely adapt the DC Comics storyline where former Robin and current Nightwing Dick Grayson becomes Batman following Bruce Wayne’s disappearance, finally allowing Damian Wayne (Bruce Wayne’s biological son) to become Robin.
So far, we know that Gunn plans for The Brave and the Bold to introduce Damian Wayne as Robin and establish DC Comics’ “Bat Family” — a beloved group of adopted Robins, Batgirls, and other Bat-allies who always answer Bruce Wayne’s call, even after becoming fully-fledged heroes themselves. This family often notably includes ex-Robins like Dick Grayson/Nightwing, Jason Todd/Red Hood, Tim Drake/Red Robin, Damian Wayne/Robin, and Barbara Gordon/Batgirl/Oracle.
Many have previously suspected that New York City native Timothée Chalamet will take on the role of Dick Grayson’s Nightwing, after reports from insiders, and Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group (owner of the DC film rights) securing Chalamet in a “first-look” deal — where the studio gets the first option on backing the star’s future projects.
Chalamet as the grown-up Robin from DC Comics in the newly rebooted DCU Batman project, The Brave and the Bold, would seem appropriate due to his age and build. However, Asher Angel could absolutely take on a similar role as the new Caped Crusader—and this tease could be the star’s hint to the public of that very fact.
Do you think Asher Angel would make a good Batman replacement? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!