Megan Peters is the Deputy Editor at ScreenRant for comics, anime, and manga with over 10 years of experience.
The clock is ticking for Warner Bros. Discovery and James Gunn. Following the blockbuster release of Superman, all eyes are on the future of DC Studios. Clark Kent's family is leading the cinematic universe these days as Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow preps for release, but before long, a new icon will need to hit the screen.
It is just a matter of time before Batman makes his way to the DCU, and to say the casting race for Bruce Wayne looks different in 2026 would be an understatement. The frenzy surrounding David Corenswet's casting as Superman was intense, yes, but there is a special fervor when it comes to Batman. From Michael Keaton to Adam West and Christian Bale, Hollywood spirals into a frenzy when a new star dons The Dark Knight's cowl. As Gunn and his team look for their perfect DCU Batman, all bets are off in 2026 as a slew of recent releases have changed the game since 2025. 2025's DCU Batman Casting Race Had 5 Frontrunners While 2025 was the Year of Superman thanks to the hero's hit DCU debut, Clark did share the spotlight online. Netizens were quick to unpack their top choices for Batman once they got a taste of Corenswet's take on the Man of Steel. While a number of top-tier actors like Aaron Taylor Johnson were pitched for the role online, by the end of 2025, a group of five actors were at the front of the fan-casting list: As we approach the midway point of 2026, the top fan-cast picks for the DCU's Batman are now shifting. In the past year, some of the biggest picks have fallen in rank while others are now nearing the top. After all, careers are not a static thing, and actors work fast and they work often. For stars like Ritchson, their fame is already very different in 2026 compared to what it looked like in 2025. 2026's Movies & Shows Have Changed What The DCU Batman Casting Race Looks Like As the star of Reacher, Ritchson is at the helm of an incredibly popular TV series, and the franchise has turned the actor into a household name. The show keeps the star busy, and given Reacher's hit ratings, it seems unlikely the series will be closing anytime soon. Ritchson's commitment to Reacher makes it all but impossible to fit in filming for a project as big as Batman. So while the actor was a favorite for the role in 2025, his increased fame is now working against Bruce Wayne's favor. Other fan-cast picks like Powell are also at risk given their increased profiles. In the wake of The Running Man, Powell is busier than ever with upcoming projects like The Great Beyond by director J.J. Abrams. While praised for his work in action, Powell's packed schedule doesn't lend itself to the DCU, leaving fans to support lesser-known actors for Batman. Subscribe to the newsletter for DCU Batman casting insights Explore the changing DCU Batman casting landscape by subscribing to our newsletter, get in-depth coverage, context and analysis of casting shifts, contenders, and what recent 2026 projects mean for Bruce Wayne's future. Get Updates By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime. By all accounts on social media, the actor leading the Batman poll is none other than Brendan Sklenar. At 35 years old, the actor is young enough to buoy Brace Wayne for years to come, and his filmography speaks for itself. His recent work as Spencer Dutton in 1923 put his acting skills to the test, making him a clear favorite with audiences. With just two projects slated for 2027, the New Jersey actor does have time to tackle a role as big as Batman, and he's got the talent to back it up. So when the DCU is done touting Supergirl ahead of her film debut, fans can only hope they'll get an update on Gunn's pick for The Dark Knight. 572 8.0/10 9/10 Superman 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Like Follow Followed PG-13 Science Fiction Adventure Action Release Date July 11, 2025 Runtime 130 minutes Director James Gunn Writers James Gunn, Joe Shuster, Jerry Siegel Producers Peter Safran 9 Images Close Cast See All
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