Alan Ritchson lately shared an replace on his probabilities of taking part in Batman in James Gunn’s DC Universe, and it opens the door for the actor to tackle different thrilling characters. Batman’s The Courageous and the Daring film will reboot the character for the brand new shared universe. Just a few names have emerged as fan favorites for DC’s new Batman actor.
After his star flip in Prime Video’s Reacher, Ritchson grew to become a preferred decide to play the DCU Batman, with actors like Jensen Ackles, Glen Powell, and Brandon Sklenar additionally being favored by followers. Ritchson has talked about desirous to play Batman in a number of interviews, however he might need one other DCU canon character in his future as an alternative.
Lately, Ritchson revealed he talked to James Gunn about taking part in Batman. Whereas phrases have been exchanged in regards to the DCU Bruce Wayne, Ritchson doesn’t imagine he’ll lead the DCU’s upcoming Batman film. Nonetheless, the door isn’t closed for him at DC, saying, “I do assume there’s something in my future with DC.” Listed here are DC characters he may play:
Wildcat
Whereas the character nonetheless needs to be forged, Gunn’s DC Universe has already revealed that Wildcat exists — or existed — within the franchise. That got here from the Superman film’s largest Easter egg, with Wildcat showing in a mural within the Corridor of Justice. Ritchson can be excellent as a grizzled DC hero.
The function would really come fairly naturally for the actor. Ritchson has given life to 2 DC heroes prior to now, with one in all them being Hawk on Titans. Each he and Wildcat share the getting older hero with a non-nonsense angle. Together with his imposing physique, dramatic abilities, and DC previous, Ritchson’s Wildcat can be a plausible veteran hero.
Aquaman
Jason Momoa will keep at DC for Gunn’s DCU, however will probably be by means of a brand new character — Lobo, who debuts in 2026’s Supergirl film — slightly than persevering with in his DCEU function of Aquaman. That opens the door for a brand new actor to step into the function, and Ritchson is ideal for 2 causes.
For one, he already performed a younger Aquaman in Smallville, so he has the talents for a big-screen adaptation of the hero. The second motive is that he provides the perfect mix between the comics-accurate Aquaman and Momoa’s wilder tackle the character. Ritchson is ideal for the DCEU to DCU transition.
Midnighter
Since he’ll seemingly not play the DCU Batman regardless of desirous to, Alan Ritchson may play a personality that has ties to the Darkish Knight. Midnighter and Apollo are sometimes seen as extra violent variations of Batman and Superman. Fortunate for Ritchson, the duo is anticipated to affix the DCU.
Midnighter ought to be a part of The Authority film, with somebody like Ritchson having the ability to assist push the challenge ahead after Gunn revealed growth had stalled on the movie. The character is nuanced past his hyper-violent exterior, permitting Ritchson to experiment with totally different sides of the character, going from sarcastic remarks to his deep love for Apollo.
Shazam
Shazam is likely one of the best possible roles for Ritchson at DC. After the hero’s second solo film bombed, it’s unlikely that Zachary Levi will return because the character within the DCU. Whereas Ritchson’s most well-known function is the stoic Jack Reacher, the actor has different initiatives that present his glorious comedic timing.
Amongst these are Blue Mountain State, The Marriage ceremony Ringer, and The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, to call a couple of. Ritchson can be fully plausible because the grownup, superhero model of a kid like Billy Batson. The actor’s previous roles present that he can seize that child-like marvel and make the superhero motion hilarious and charming.
Captain Atom
Whereas Ritchson has campaigned to play Batman within the DCU, a preferred counteroffer amongst fan circles for the character he ought to play is Captain Atom. After pondering the likelihood, I imagine the Reacher actor would actually excel because the DC character. Seems-wise, the actor is ideal. Captain Atom can be as imposing as wanted.
Ritchson taking part in a hero with a U.S. Air Drive background tracks, as we’ve seen how his function in Reacher may translate to that simply. Not many characters can defeat Superman, however Captain Atom is one in all them. Ritchson can immediately make the viewers imagine that it’s attainable, and the function provides thematic ties to Reacher.
Deathstroke
If he cannot be Batman, then why not beat him? Deathstroke has fought Batman many occasions within the comics and different variations, and the identical may occur within the DCU. The character is anticipated to be an enormous a part of DC’s plans, as a Deathstroke and Bane team-up film of types is reportedly in growth on the studio.
Deathstroke is one in all DC’s most fascinating characters. He could be an overarching DCU villain, and Ritchson is certainly a sufficiently big title to hold that duty. A killer with a twisted sense of honor, Deathstroke is a fancy character. Ritchson would make him a villain with the potential for an anti-hero flip afterward.
Orion
DC Comics author Tom King is a key a part of James Gunn’s plans for DC, aiding in a number of initiatives. King may have a direct function within the Mister Miracle animated collection, which, if linked to the DCU, may usher in Darkseid and a number of other characters from DC’s New Gods. Orion may then debut.
Orion is a layered character. A canine of battle, he’s usually identified for his arduous exterior. Nonetheless, as Darkseid’s organic son, raised by the Highfather, there’s a fixed battle inside him. The traditional nature vs nurture. Ritchson’s Hawk in Titans leaned in the direction of that dynamic in a manner, rising to be a scene-stealer. The actor may pull it off.
Booster Gold
Like Shazam, Alan Ritchson’s comedic previous can be simply what DC wants for its Booster Gold. Whereas I nonetheless imagine that Glen Powell is ideal casting for the character, the Reacher star has the comedic timing to make Booster Gold DC’s lovable fool. Ritchson may additionally make Booster Gold greater than only a jokester.
In spite of everything, Booster Gold has a tragic previous, which finally results in him changing into a hero. In the identical manner that Superman balanced darkish parts with a vibrant model of Clark Kent, Ritchson may make Booster Gold humorous however rooted in advanced feelings. Ritchson’s soccer and comedy previous in Blue Mountain State makes him excellent for Booster Gold, a former participant.
Catman
Catman may be a little bit of an odd character for DC followers who usually are not comedian readers. That stated, James Gunn’s time at each Marvel and DC has proven that he excels with lesser-known characters. He made the Guardians of the Galaxy well-known, elevating Peacemaker’s standing inside DC. Catman may work on a Secret Six challenge.
The trendy model of Catman is a nuanced character who seems like Batman with a feline motif. He has a code of honor, however can get brutal if wanted. It’s a advanced function that permits Ritchson to faucet into a few of the beats he would have explored as Batman, whereas taking part in a personality whose wealth escapes him, and so he should reinvent himself.
Hawkman
Lastly, Hawkman can be a job that Ritchson not solely matches bodily, however that would convey out one of the action-packed performances from the actor. Hawkman is one in all DC’s most intense heroes, all the time in search of the fun of a battle and sometimes exhibiting a brief mood. As Hawk in Titans, Ritchson was efficient in portraying that.
Nonetheless, Hawkman has a softer facet in the direction of his beloved one, Hawkgirl. With Isabela Merced’s Hawkgirl being a standout in Gunn’s Superman film, that dynamic ought to be explored within the DCU finally. Whereas the actors’ 18-year age distinction may have an effect on Alan Ritchson‘s Hawkman probabilities, the character’s many resurrections may very well be used to clarify it. As such, the DCU function may very well be nuanced.
- Created by
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Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson
- Solid
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Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Ezra Miller, Ray Fisher, Jason Momoa, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg, Laurence Fishburne, Jeremy Irons, Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, Joel Kinnaman, Viola Davis, Jai Courtney, Jay Hernandez, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Cara Delevingne, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Zachary Levi, Dwayne Johnson, Amber Heard, Patrick Wilson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Mark Robust, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer, Djimon Hounsou, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett, Rosie Perez, Ella Jay Basco, Ali Wong, Ewan McGregor, Idris Elba, John Cena, Michael Keaton, George Clooney, Xolo Mariduena
- Film(s)
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Man of Metal, Batman v Superman: Daybreak of Justice, Suicide Squad, Marvel Girl, Justice League, Aquaman, Shazam!, Birds of Prey, Marvel Girl 1984, Zack Snyder’s Justice League, The Suicide Squad, Black Adam, Shazam! The Fury of the Gods, The Flash, Blue Beetle, Superman, The Courageous and the Daring
- Character(s)
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Superman, Batman, Marvel Girl, Aquaman, The Flash, Cyborg, Harley Quinn, The Joker, Shazam, Darkseid, Amanda Waller, Lex Luthor, Doomsday, Deadshot, Deathstroke, Black Canary, Black Adam