Summary

• Willem Dafoe's age could work in his favor to play an older DCU Joker alongside an aged Batman in The Brave and the Bold movie.
• Jack Black's comedic prowess makes him a prime candidate to embody the humorous yet dark personality of the Penguin.
• Donald Glover's energetic charm and acting versatility could bring a fresh take to The Riddler in the DCU, painting a dynamic and engaging portrayal.

With the excitement of the cast of the DCU's Batman movie, The Brave and the Bold, details are decidedly scarce, with the fact that it will star Batman, his son Damian Wayne as Robin, and other of the Bat Family being among the only confirmed details.

While James Gunn has confirmed that some actors and the characters they play will be moving over to the DCEU - with John Cena's Peacemaker and Xolo Maridueña's Blue Beetle being among them - the fact that Batman didn't get a solo DCEU means his rogues gallery is still ripe for casting. The fact that the DCU's Batman will likely appear alongside Matt Reeves' The Batman trilogy, meanwhile, opens the door for a contrast in tone. With all of these details in mind, there are plenty of Hollywood superstars that could bring a lot to these important roles.

10 Willem Dafoe Is Still Perfect For The Joker

Known For Portraying Norman Osborne In Spider-Man (2002)

While Willem Dafoe is one of the most popular picks for the Clown Prince of Crime, his age works against him. Thankfully, this is not such a hindrance when it comes to The Brave and the Bold, as the movie is set to portray an older Bruce Wayne who is the father to Robin. Even then, the Joker can still be Bruce's senior, meaning the DCU's version could be a uniquely older version of the character. With that in mind, there are few more well-suited to the role than Willem Dafoe.

Dafoe already boasts superhero movie credentials with his seminal performance as Norman Osborne/Green Goblin. The sinister and maniacal persona of Dafoe's Goblin can easily translate to the DCU's Joker, while his most recent reprisal of the role in Spider-Man: No Way Home proved that he can still hold his own in an on-screen tussle. The biggest challenge for Dafoe would be to differentiate the character from Green Goblin enough to stand on its own.

9 Jack Black Would Be A Memorable Penguin

Known For His Band Tenacious D & Their Movie, Tenacious D And The Pick Of Destiny (2006)

Oswald Cobblepot has a bombastic personality that both Danny DeVito and, most recently, Colin Farrell, both excelled at conveying. Farrell's portrayal of the Penguin marries well with the darker undertones of Reeves' The Batman trilogy, though he still brings an element of comedic flair to the role that works perfectly with Penguin's almost farcical character design, something perfectly suited to Jack Black. Jack Black's track record of playing larger-than-life characters works in his favor, while Penguin could provide him with a more sinister role to sink his teeth into.

8 Donald Glover's Chaotic Energy Is Reminiscent Of Riddler

Known For Portraying Troy In Community (2009)

Donald Glover's acting ability is exemplified by the tonal breadth of his acting roles, all of which tend to attract critical acclaim. Donald Glover could bring a certain energy to The Riddler reminiscent of his tenure as Community's Troy while substituting his naïveté for the quieter genius of his role as Rich in The Martian and adding his own natural stage presence. The multi-talented yet underutilized actor is already a big fan favorite in Hollywood and is long overdue for a huge role like the DCU's Riddler, for which his boundless charisma would be especially suited.

7 Anthony Starr Can Portray The Duality Of Two-Face

Known For Portraying Homelander In The Boys (2019)

Anthony Starr's Homelander is a terrifying depiction of the "evil Superman" trope that exudes a sinister villainy with an infectious smile. His unnerving duality is what makes the character so compelling and Starr so well-suited to the role of an inherently unpredictable villain with two distinct sides to his personality. Starr's experience of playing dual characters does not end there, either, as the New Zealand actor is also known for portraying two identical twins, Jethro and Van West, in the New Zealand comedy crime drama, Outrageous Fortune.

6 Ana De Armas Deserves Another Shot As Catwoman

Known For Portraying Agent Paloma In No Time To Die (2021)

Ana de Armas had already auditioned for the role of Catwoman in Matt Reeves' The Batman but lost out to Zoë Kravitz. Her proximity to the role is one thing, but Ana de Armas has also proven her physical prowess during her time as Agent Paloma in No Time To Die, in which she bested several goons in high heels. Her current status brings similar star power to Anne Hathaway's Selina Kyle in The Dark Knight Rises, while the depth and gravitas required of the character are catered to by Ana de Armas' multi-award-winning performances in Blonde and Knives Out.

5 Crispin Glover Would Make A Terrifying Scarecrow

Known For Portraying Mr. World In American Gods (2017)

Crispin Glover is known for his haunting performances in uncannily sinister roles. His unnerving performance as Mr. World in American Gods is just such a performance that could translate well into a portrayal of Doctor Jonathan Crane, a role that was brilliantly handled by Cillian Murphy in Batman Begins. The eccentric actor cut his teeth in Back to the Future as a young George McFly but has since delved into far more eccentric and decidedly stranger characters, the likes of which the DCU's Scarecrow could be a part.

4 Jackie Earle Haley Would Perfectly Convey The Tortured Mr. Freeze

Known For Portraying Rorschach In Watchmen (2009)

Mr Freeze is a sympathetic villain whose once hammy M.O. centered around all things frosty was transformed into one of the most tragic villain origins in comic books. Dr. Victor Fries' motivations hinge on saving the life of his cryogenically frozen wife, Nora, a goal that he will stop at nothing to achieve. Haley's ability to portray a single-minded yet deeply complex character was encapsulated by his performance as Rorschach in 2009's Watchmen, for which he earned widespread praise. His role as Ronnie in Little Children, meanwhile, also earned him an Oscar nomination, helping to prove his acting ability.

3 R'as Al Ghul Could Be Accurately Portrayed By Ghassan Massoud

Known For Portraying Saladin In Kingdom Of Heaven (2005)

Ghassan Massoud is a Syrian actor whose contributions to Hollywood include his role as Saladin in Ridley Scott's Kingdom of Heaven and as Ammand the Corsair in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. He brings with him a wizened appearance and severity that works well with the ages-old R'as Al Ghul, which isn't to mention a far more comic-accurate heritage than Liam Neeson. While Massoud has been absent from Hollywood for several years, he is still making movies outside the West, most recently starring in the Kazakhstani movie, Tomiris.

2 Mia Goth Could Bring Something New To Harley Quinn

Known For Portraying Pearl In Pearl (2022)

To state the obvious, it is hard to improve on Margot Robbie's depiction of Harley Quinn, and the possibility of her portrayal persisting in the DCU is still open. In the case of her absence, however, the DCU could do much worse than casting Mia Goth, an actor who has been making huge waves in the horror genre. While the DCU is unlikely to follow the same tone established by The Dark Knight's recent cinematic outings, Mia Goth's proficiency at portraying manic and deeply disturbed characters makes her a promising pick for Harley Quinn.

1 Édgar Ramírez Is Built For Bane

Known For Portraying Roberto Durán In Hands Of Stone (2016)

Édgar Ramírez boasts accolades aplenty for his various roles in TV series, including Carlos the Jackal in Carlos and Gianni Versace in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story. While he does not boast the same towering height as Bane (though still taller than Tom Hardy), his bulky stature is well-suited to the role, while his acting chops are conducive to the iconic Batman villain's impressive intelligence. The most popular fancast for Bane is Dave Bautista, who certainly has the physicality for the role, but Bane's Hispanic roots would be better served by a Hispanic actor for the DCU.