Alan Ritchson may have the jawline, the build, and the fan support to step into Gotham’s shadows, but if you expect him to be James Gunn’s Batman in “The Brave and the Bold,” don’t hold your breath.
In a new interview with Variety, the “Reacher” star addressed the online chatter linking him to Gunn’s upcoming Batman film, which will introduce Bruce Wayne and his son Damian into Gunn’s interconnected DCU. The rumors gained traction after Gunn publicly praised Ritchson, fueling a wave of fan support and fancasting that imagined him under the cowl.
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“It’s not a rumor that James Gunn is a fan. He said it himself,” Ritchson said. “And am I a fan of James Gunn? Absolutely. I don’t want to mislead people. Words have been exchanged about Batman. But I strongly don’t think that Batman is in my future. I do think there is something in my future with DC. And I would like that to remain true.”
Ritchson has history with the genre, having played Hawk in DC’s “Titans” and lending his voice to Raphael in 2014’s “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.” With his physicality and screen presence in “Reacher,” many fans have long argued he’s a natural fit for Batman, and his name has been floated frequently in the wake of Gunn’s DCU reboot.
Whether that happens or not, Batman’s future is complicated. Robert Pattinson continues to headline Matt Reeves’ “The Batman” films under the DC Elseworlds banner, with “The Batman Part II” set for 2026, while Gunn has promised that “The Brave and the Bold” is “coming relatively soon.” For now, the two Batmen remain separate, with only one tied directly to Gunn’s DCU continuity, including “Superman” and “Peacemaker.”
If Batman isn’t in the cards, Ritchson’s comments suggest another role could be. With Gunn and his filmmakers developing films like “Wonder Woman,” “Swamp Thing,” a third “Superman” saga film, and shows like “Booster Gold,” not to mention sequels and spin-offs already in motion, there’s plenty of room for Ritchson to join the franchise in a different capacity. The actor isn’t saying more for now, but it sounds like his leap into DC’s world may be a matter of when, not if.
Meanwhile, James Gunn is already dropping breadcrumbs that keep Batman on fans’ minds—even in “Peacemaker.” Season 2 introduces Sasha Bordeaux, played by Sol Rodríguez, a character who in the comics is both a Secret Service agent and a love interest for Batman. Rodríguez was quick to clarify that Gunn’s take goes in another direction. “She has nothing to do with Batman,” she said, to which Gunn cheekily replied, “Yet” (see the clip below).
The premiere also sneaks in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Easter egg: White Rabbit, played by Brey Noelle, a deep-cut Batman villain who briefly shows up during a Justice Gang tryout sequence.
These touches aren’t random. By weaving Sasha, White Rabbit, and nods to Gotham’s wider rogues gallery into “Peacemaker,” Gunn signals how Batman’s world is already threaded into the DCU—even before the Dark Knight makes his long-awaited arrival.
DCU’s Batman’s getting closer each day bro pic.twitter.com/wBmAmwb4rB
— BrutalVengeance (@BVengeance000) August 26, 2025
