The DC Universe is about to change drastically. Now that James Gunn and Peter Safran are at the helm, fans are on their toes to find out who’s going to don the cape and cowl in The Brave and the Bold, the next DC cinematic universe Batman film. Ben Affleck is officially retired, Robert Pattinson is stuck in his own universe, and the DCU needs a new Dark Knight to front this revamped DCU. The bottom line? This Batman won’t be flying solo. He’ll have by his side. Damian Wayne is a brooding, lethal Robin with League of Assassins ties in his blood. So, who’s got the look, presence, and range to portray a grizzled Bruce Wayne while managing a father-son dynamic? Let’s count down the 10 top contenders who might redefine Gotham’s guardian.
10. David Boreanaz
If you’re looking for a veteran actor who can mix brains with brawn, David Boreanaz might be your man. With roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Bones, he’s spent decades portraying complex, brooding characters who walk the line between hero and antihero. At 53, Boreanaz could bring a grizzled, experienced Batman to life, perfect for a version of Bruce Wayne already balancing fatherhood and crimefighting.
9. Aaron Taylor-Johnson
Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s CV is already that of a superhero’s wish list. From Kick-Ass through to Avengers: Age of Ultron and soon-to-be-released Kraven the Hunter, he’s had experience with action, emotion, and intensity. He was actually shortlisted for Matt Reeves’ The Batman prior to Robert Pattinson getting the gig, so no one could say he’s alien to the cape debate. With his body and presence, Taylor-Johnson might very well introduce a more earthy, energetic Batman to the DCU.
8. Jamie Dornan
Don’t count Jamie Dornan out just because he’s most famous for Fifty Shades of Grey. In indie dramas and thrillers, he’s proved to have genuine depth and understated strength qualities critical to a complex Bruce Wayne. Dornan has the brooding charisma and range to play a billionaire bachelor and tortured avenger. And with his boyish appearance, DC has the opportunity to have him stick around for years to come.
7. Tom Ellis
Having spent years playing devilishly dashing Lucifer Morningstar, Tom Ellis already has suave, tortured, and morally ambiguous all wrapped up. Standing at 6’3″ with chiseled features and commanding screen presence, he also embodies the physical image of Batman to a T. He’s also said he’d be up for joining a comic book universe, and being his age, he could convincingly play an older Batman old enough to have a teenage Robin in tow.
6. Ben Barnes
Ben Barnes has quietly constructed one of the most adaptable careers in Hollywood, leaping from heroic parts such as Prince Caspian in Narnia to darker turns of events in The Punisher and Shadow and Bone. His blend of charm, intensity, and emotional depth makes him an interesting choice. A younger Batman might be just what Gunn and Safran are looking for, and Barnes has the perfect balance of warmth and danger to make it happen.
5. Bradley Cooper
It’s difficult to overlook Bradley Cooper in this discussion. He’s already a member of Gunn’s creative team due to his work on Rocket Raccoon in Guardians of the Galaxy, and his acting chops are self-evident from American Sniper to A Star Is Born. Cooper has the ability to balance intelligence, vulnerability, and authority, and these are all important qualities for Bruce Wayne. And with his relationship with Gunn, he’s a feasible (if ambitious) choice for a mature, emotionally centered Batman.
4. Luke Evans
Luke Evans possesses that unique combination of sophistication and brawn. Whether he’s depicting the hero (The Hobbit), the bad guy (Beauty and the Beast), or something in between, he demands notice. Evans’ chill, laid-back vibe would be just right for a more cerebral, stoic Batman, one who uses brains as much as brawn. He’s the sort of left-field candidate who might delight fans in the best possible way.
3. Kit Harington
Better known around the globe as Jon Snow, Kit Harington has already had practice brooding in black armor. His experience on Game of Thrones and Eternals in Marvel shows he is up to carrying the weight of legacy and conflict, two things that Bruce Wayne is all too familiar with. If Marvel does not develop Harington’s Black Knight, DC would have no problem picking it up and offering him another chance at hero-dom, his time in Gotham.
2. George Clooney
Listen to us. George Clooney’s Batman & Robin is among the most reviled superhero films of all time, yet time and a winking cameo in The Flash have changed the mood from mockery to intrigue. Older, wiser Clooney might bring a comeback many decades in the making. It’s a Hail Mary, but the fans can’t help wondering what a grown-up, introspective Bruce Wayne would look like in his care.
1. Jeffrey Dean Morgan
For years, people have been screaming to get Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Batman. He’s already appeared as Thomas Wayne in Batman v Superman, and he haweightso bring a darker, more combat-seasoned Caped Crusader to life. If Gunn’s DCU finds its roots in Flashpoint or an older-Bruce narrative, Morgan’s rough-hewn energy and authoritative presence make him the best fit. He’s the complete package of mentor, fighter, and tormented hero.
And What About Aquaman?
While the future of Batman is uncertain, the Aquaman franchise appears to be winding down. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is the last wave of the DCEU, with Patrick Wilson’s Orm being a highlight. As Wilson himself said, “Was I hoping to do more? I don’t think so. When you look at Orm’s arc villain in the first one, Ally in the second, I don’t know where else he goes.”
With Jason Momoa supposedly circling Lobo for Gunn’s reimagined universe, it seems like Orm’s narrative may have finally concluded naturally. The movie itself arrives with a divided splash, an improvement over the original for some, yet still encumbered by superhero formula. By its conclusion, Aquaman openly reveals Atlantis to the world, closing the book on the DCEU chapter with a wink instead of a setup.
The Future of the DCU
So, who’s next to don the Bat-suit? And will we ever be back in Atlantis? Whatever the outcome, it’s apparent that Gunn and Safran are rebooting DC from the ground up. With new faces, creative concepts, and a fresh tone on the way, one thing’s for sure: Gotham (and the remainder of the DCU) will never be the same once more.