Summary

• Jensen Ackles has superhero experience & voice acted as Bruce Wayne, making him a strong Batman candidate.
• John Krasinski's action roles show he's a great fit for Batman & could bring depth to the character.
• Tom Bateman, Lee Pace, and more help make an interesting list of potential Batman candidates for the DCU.

Since the announcement of the new DC's slate of projects, and the character's debut film has been confirmed.

The DCU will see its Bruce Wayne debut in Batman's The Brave and the Bold movie. The reboot still has to see a final script, and based on what DCU creative mastermind James Gunn has said, Batman casting will only begin when a script is ready. While there should be at least a few months before that gets into place, there are already some great picks for the character. Among the most popular DCU Batman candidates, some stand out.

10 Winston Duke

The MCU Star Has Batman Experience

While the actor might not look like Bruce Wayne, Winston Duke already has the necessary superhero experience to play Batman in the DCU and the acting skills to make the new Batman a force to behold. Duke is most famously known for his role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with the actor giving life to M'Baku in the Black Panther franchise and the Avengers films. Interestingly, Duke has already played Batman, which should help his chances.

The actor served as the voice of Bruce Wayne in the Batman: Unburied podcast. The project was a major swing from the comics, analyzing Bruce Wayne's psyche while treading new ground with the character, such as initially presenting him as a forensic pathologist. The M'Baku star excelled at portraying both sides of the character, and as Duke wants to play Batman in live-action, he would make for a solid DCU Bruce Wayne.

9 John Krasinski

The Star Was Rumored For The Role

Another actor who has been in the MCU and could play the DCU's Batman is John Krasinski. Different from Winston Duke, Krasinski did not play an ongoing MCU character, appearing in a cameo role in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. However, the actor did give life to one of Marvel's biggest heroes, Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four. Despite brief, Krasinski's performance in the role was one of the movie's most popular aspects.

The actor has some action roles besides his MCU film that further make him a great choice to play Batman, with Krasinski's lead role over four seasons of Jack Ryan showing he would be a great fit for the DCU hero. In the series, Krasinski's character alternated between great detective work and being a bona fide action hero, both Batman traits. Previously, Gunn debunked a rumor that Krasinski was cast as the DCU's Batman.

8 Tom Bateman

A Name That Could Grow With The DCU

Tom Bateman has become perhaps the most popular name among fans when talking about younger actors that could fit the DCU's Batman. As Gunn previously mentioned that Batman might be only a couple of years older than Superman, the 35-year-old actor is in that range, as Superman star David Corenswet is 30. Bateman would follow Corenswet's casting as another young star who has a few interesting roles under his belt but has yet to become a big name in Hollywood.

While many established actors have been rumored for Batman or want to take on the role, Bateman would make for a perfect casting choice for Bruce Wayne if DC wants to have the new Batman grow with the DCU. Bateman also has action experience with dark roles, starring alongside Liam Neeson in Cold Pursuit and playing a hitman in Blumhouse's Into the Dark.

7 Lee Pace

The Actor Deserves A Better Superhero Movie Role

Lee Pace is another fan favorite for the DCU's Batman that comes from MCU experience. The actor played the villain Ronan the Acc in Marvel Studios' Guardians of the Galaxy and Captain Marvel. As the character was pretty much emotionless and did not do much, Pace was unable to show his full potential for superhero movies. The actor could use the huge stage that comes with playing Batman to show that he has what it takes to be a star.

Pace has shown his action prowess and his ability to play complex roles in both The Hobbit trilogy and his ongoing Apple TV+ series Foundation. The sci-fi show makes a case for his casting as Batman, as Pace has the difficult task of playing multiple clones of Emperor Cleon I. The actor does so masterfully, showing he has the imposing presence and intensity that is needed for Batman.

6 Aaron Taylor-Johnson

The Actor Is Rumored For Major Roles

Aaron Taylor-Johnson is destined for big things. The actor is one of the popular fancasts for the DCU's Bruce Wayne, looks the part, is in the right age range, and has the skills to do so. Besides having his name linked to Batman, Taylor-Johnson is a recurring star among rumors of who will play the next James Bond after Daniel Craig. For both Bond and Bruce Wayne, the actor has the necessary suave attitude and charm.

Taylor-Johnson also has superhero movie experience in spades. The actor first became famous for leading two Kick-Ass movies when he was younger. Then, Taylor-Johnson ed the MCU for a single movie as Quicksilver, having an unpredictable death. Now, the star will lead Sony's Kraven the Hunter as the Spider-Man villain. Taylor-Johnson's multiple superhero roles show he would be open to Batman and do a great job in the DCU.

5 Glen Powell

The Actor Destroyed Other DC Casting Hopes

Glen Powell is one of the most popular rising stars in Hollywood. Coming off charming performances in Top Gun: Maverick and Anyone but You, Powell has become a favorite for many huge franchise roles. The actor even revealed that he ed on an offer to star in the next Jurassic World movie, with Powell also not having any interest in ing the MCU or doing Oscar-bait roles.

Powell's charisma and magnetic screen presence have made him the fan-favorite for a few major DC heroes, chief among them being the Green Lantern Hal Jordan and Booster Gold. However, Powell revealed he would only consider playing another DC hero. According to the actor, he would be game to play "a wild take on Batman." Powell would be great as the playboy side of Bruce Wayne, and he has delivered emotional scenes that would match a Bruce who just discovered he has a son, Damian Wayne.

4 Brandon Sklenar

A More Recent Fancast That Is Picking Up Steam

At 33, Brandon Sklenar is another interesting name to play the DCU's Batman. The actor's most famous role is that of Spencer Dutton in 1923. The series is one of the multiple spinoffs of creator Taylor Sheridan's flagship Western drama Yellowstone. Sklenar shows in the series that he has what it takes to play such a key DCU role as Batman. The actor spearheads the series alongside two Hollywood legends.

Sklenar's Spencer Dutton was raised by Helen Mirren's Cara Dutton and Harrison Ford's Jacob Dutton, with the three actors each stealing the scene when they are onscreen. Sklenar displays the same level of confidence as Spencer that Bruce Wayne is known for. The actor also has multiple scenes that show just how perfect his voice is for Batman and that he can bring to life the DC hero's intimidation tactics with ease.

3 Alan Ritchson

The Action Star Wants The Role

Alan Ritchson would be the most physically imposing Batman actor so far. The star has more than enough experience to play Batman. In Prime Video's Reacher, Ritchson pretty much plays the perfect Batman. His Jack Reacher hits enemies like a truck, but more than being a physical threat to villains, he possesses impressive detective skills. The actor also excels at interrogation scenes, making Ritchson a triple threat to play the DCU's Batman.

Adding to that, the star has made his wish to star in The Brave and the Bold clear. Ritchson has explained why he would like to play Batman. According to the actor, Bruce Wayne's intelligence is his superpower, and Ritchson would be excited to play with that and Bruce's vehicles, like the Batmobile. Ritchson has also fully thrown his hat in the ring, saying, "I'll shout it from the rooftops, 'I want to be Bruce Wayne!'"

2 Jake Gyllenhaal

The Star Almost Played Batman

Jake Gyllenhaal is one of the most famous actors who could play Batman in the DCU. The star's talent is undeniable. Gyllenhaal has plenty of dark and intense roles in his career that show how great of a Batman he would be. Movies like Road House and Southpaw also show the actor would do a perfect job with Batman's fight scenes. Gyllenhaal also has the charm that is needed for Bruce Wayne.

The actor is such a great pick to play Batman that he was even considered for the role at one point. Director Christopher Nolan personally called Gyllenhaal to reveal he ended up choosing Christian Bale for The Dark Knight trilogy instead of him. Despite not getting the role then, Gyllenhaal told Screen Rant that he remains open to playing Batman, saying, "It would be an honor always."

1 Jensen Ackles

The Fan-Favorite DCU Batman Casting Choice

Finally, Jensen Ackles has emerged as the favorite candidate to play the DCU's Batman. It surely helps that Ackles is the current voice of the character. The Supernatural star gives life to Bruce Wayne in DC's animated Tomorrowverse, but with Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths - Part Three set to end the Tomorrowverse later this year, Ackles would be free to play the DCU's Batman in live-action films and series, as well as animation and video games like Gunn wants DCU stars to.

Ackles' time as Batman has made it clear that the actor is a perfect fit for the hero. In his live-action roles, the star further displayed that. Supernatural's Dean Winchester has Bruce Wayne's charm and, just like him, has to deal with a lot of childhood trauma. The Boys saw Ackles excel as a superhero. Given how Ackles would love to play Batman, the actor would be an ideal candidate to play the DCU's Batman if The Brave and the Bold director Andy Muschietti casts an older Bruce.