Earlier this week, DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn confirmed that Robert Pattinson's Dark Knight won't be part of the DCU. We've known that for a while, of course, and The Batman remaining a standalone franchise became obvious when The Brave and the Bold was announced.
While Gunn has tapped Andy Muschietti to helm the movie, he's confirmed the DCU's Batman won't be cast until they have a script (and work has barely begun on one as far as we're aware).
Competing with what Pattinson is doing will be no easy feat for an actor, but Reacher star Alan Ritchson seems to be up for the challenge.
Talking to Fortress of Solitude, it was put to him that Jack Reacher is essentially "Batman without a cape." To that, Ritchson responded, "[Laughs] With all the rumours flying that I’m supposed to be playing Batman, how can I knock Batman? I would love to play Batman."
"You know, [Batman without a cape] is a great analogy, actually. But I mean, Batman has got like a cave, and Reacher doesn’t even have a house. He’s got a toothbrush. So, I think Batman has got cool stuff. Dude is loaded and has caves, penthouses, and spotlights that call him. Batman’s cooler."
As for how he believes a confrontation between them would go, Ritchson added, "I mean, Reacher would be harder to go down in a fight. Just him and his toothbrush, and [Batman] be like, 'Damn, he’s holding on. It’s been 30 minutes.' So, it would be fun."
The Reacher star would be an intriguing choice to play the DCU's Caped Crusader, though whether he'd be the right person to play Bruce Wayne as a father is hard to say. The Brave and the Bold is going to present its lead star with a unique challenge and it will be down to them to establish Batman as a character who will no doubt be crucial to Gunn's wider plans for the franchise.
Ritchson is no stranger to the DC Universe, of course, as he played Aquaman in Smallville and later suited up as Titans' Hawk. Physically, he'd be a dominant Batman on screen and different enough from Pattinson to avoid any audience confusion.
John Logan (Gladiator, The Aviator, Hugo, Skyfall) is rumoured to be in talks to write The Brave and the Bold for DC Studios. There's also no word on who will play the DCU's Batman. John Krasinski's name has come up a couple of times, while we know The Boys star Jensen Ackles is keen to suit up as the Caped Crusader.
Stay tuned for updates as we have them.