Original plans called for The Flash to end with Michael Keaton's Batman a permanent part of the DCEU. He'd have gone on to appear in Batgirl and Batman Beyond, likely meeting Ben Affleck's Caped Crusader in Crisis on Infinite Earths.
Those ideas have all been scrapped since DC Studios was formed, with the plan now to introduce a new Batman in Andy Muschietti's The Brave and the Bold. That story will revolve around Bruce Wayne training his son, Damian, as Robin and adapts elements from Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely's Batman and Robin.
Following reports Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey and The Flash scribe Christina Hodson won't be penning the screenplay (which was initially thought to be the case), the movie is presumably without a writer...and no work can take place during the WGA strike, regardless!
That means casting news is a long way off, something DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn has already confirmed to be the case.
The Boys and Supernatural star Jensen Ackles remains a fan-favourite choice to play the DCU's Caped Crusader, and he's no stranger to the role after lending his voice to the hero in multiple DC animated projects.
He also suited up as the Dark Knight for Halloween a number of years ago, proving this is a character Ackles is passionate about potentially bringing to the screen.
Whether Gunn would give him a shot at the role remains to be seen. However, the decision to cast relative unknown David Corenswet as the DCU's Superman suggests the filmmaker isn't necessarily looking to fill this relaunched shared world with A-List stars. Ackles, however, has put himself on the map with The Boys.
This (AI-produced) fan art imagines what the actor would look like as Batman in The Brave and the Bold, and you can take a closer look below.
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