DC Studios co-head James Gunn has confirmed that actor Chris Pratt will not be donning the cape and cowl as Batman in the DC Universe (DCU). Gunn, who previously directed Pratt in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, clarified while speaking with EScorpionGolden: “As Batman? No. As something else? Yes.” He added that he would love to collaborate with Pratt again, but the right character within DC still needs to be determined.
Other Contenders for the Cowl
With Batman set to debut in the DCU through The Brave and the Bold—directed by Andy Muschietti—several actors have already expressed interest in playing the Dark Knight.
Jensen Ackles, star of The Boys, revealed he would consider the role but admitted the immense pressure of living up to previous portrayals. He explained: “It would be hard to carve out something truly unique… I’d be nervous as hell to carry that, but also proud. Anybody who gets to wear the cowl, they got something.”
Alan Ritchson, best known for Reacher, enthusiastically said he’d play Batman without hesitation, joking: “You wouldn’t even have to pay me. I would don the suit. [In a Batman voice] ‘Gotham is mine.’ It just comes out naturally.”
What’s Next for Batman in the DCU
The Brave and the Bold will explore Batman’s relationship with Robin in a father-son dynamic, a fresh take within Gunn’s DCU slate. Meanwhile, Robert Pattinson’s version of Batman continues separately under Matt Reeves’ The Batman franchise, with The Batman: Part II in development.
While speculation continues, Gunn stressed that no actor has yet been chosen to play the DCU’s Batman, keeping the door open for new casting possibilities.