Alan Ritchson has established himself as a bona fide action star with his role in Prime Video's Reacher, and it surely won't be too long before he dons another superhero costume on screen.
The actor remains a fan-favourite choice to play Batman in DC Studios' The Brave and the Bold, of course, and a newly created piece of fan art reveals what he might look like as a battle-damaged Dark Knight. The cape and cowl suit Ritchson, that's for sure, and we can't help but wonder whether the growing support surrounding his potential casting will eventually reach James Gunn.
Last month, a fan asked the filmmaker whether a Bruce Wayne casting announcement is incoming to which he said, "No. We don't even have a script yet."
In an interview which took place to promote Reacher season 2, it was put to Ritchson that the title character is essentially "Batman without a cape." He 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 thinks a confrontation between two characters 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."
Many comic book fans would like to see the actor play the DCU's Dark Knight, though Ritchson will need to prove he has what it takes to play the man beneath the cowl as well. After all, The Brave and the Bold is going to feature Batman dealing with fatherhood, and that means whoever suits up will need to do more than just kick some butt.
Ritchson is no stranger to the DC Univers after playing Aquaman in Smallville and later suiting up as Titans' Hawk.
John Logan (Gladiator, The Aviator, Hugo, Skyfall) is rumoured to be in talks to write The Brave and the Bold for DC Studios and there's no word on who will ultimately play the DCU's Batman. John Krasinski's name has come up a couple of times, while we know The Boys star Jensen Ackles remains keen to suit up as the Caped Crusader.
Check out this impressive Batman fan art in the Instagram post below.