THE PUNISHER Actor Ben Barnes Throws His Cowl In The Ring To Play The DCU's BATMAN

THE PUNISHER Actor Ben Barnes Throws His Cowl In The Ring To Play The DCU's BATMAN

Another actor has expressed interest in suiting-up as Batman in the DCU, with The Punisher star Ben Barnes speaking about his love for the character during a recent convention appearance...

By MarkCassidy - Oct 02, 2025 04:10 PM EST
Filed Under: The Brave and the Bold

Though the status of The Brave and the Bold movie remains a little cloudy (James Gunn insists that it's still moving forward, but we probably won't see it anytime soon), DC Studios is still planning to introduce a new take on Batman at some point.

Gunn has previously admitted that he's having a bit of trouble "cracking" the project from a tonal standpoint - specifically as it relates to debuting a new version of the Dark Knight in the same universe that was established in Superman - but the filmmaker certainly isn't short on options when it comes to casting the comic DC Comics vigilante.

"Yeah, I mean, the actor who wants to... Listen, first of all, I can’t tell you the amount of big actors that have told me they want to be Batman. I think you’d have a harder time finding actors who don’t want to be Batman. He’s the one character everyone wants to play. That’s the truth," Gunn said when asked if he had any Batman casting updates during a recent interview with IGN.

Reacher star Alan Ritchson recently revealed that he has spoken to someone at DC about potentially suiting-up as the Caped Crusader (it doesn't sound like anything came of it), and up-and-comer Brandon Sklenar remains a fan-favourite pick for the role. Now, an actor with previous comic book adaptation experience (albeit playing a very different type of character) has thrown his hat in the ring to play Batman.

Ben Barnes, who played Billy Russo, aka Jigsaw, in both seasons of Netflix's The Punisher series alongside Jon Bernthal, told Collider that he would jump at the chance to play Bruce Wayne during a Panel at FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention.

“I was actually watching some— my parents just visited me, and they bought some like little kid videos, and we were watching some old family videos. And in every single one, I was dressed like Batman or Robin Hood. I think there may have been a Spider-Man one, but it was mainly Batman. So obviously, I was, from age 4 and up, I obviously requested that.”

"Hey, I accept. […] Just call me, I’ve got Bruce Wayne ready to go," he added.

Join the queue, Ben!

Barnes does have the right look and height to play Batman, but at 44, he may be a little old for the part - then again, Gunn and co. might well decide to cast a more grizzled, world-weary take on Bats.

What do you think? Could you see Barnes as Batman? Drop us a comment down below.

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oldnoname
oldnoname - 10/2/2025, 4:03 PM
I mean, sure. Whatever man.
JabbaTheSus
JabbaTheSus - 10/2/2025, 4:08 PM
He was great in Punisher, and he's got the "pretty boy" look for Bruce Wayne. Like you stated though, he's too old at 44. By the time Brave and The Bold comes out, he'll already be pushing 50 lol.
Shivermetimbers
Shivermetimbers - 10/2/2025, 4:11 PM
Wasnt there word going around that they were going to be skewing a little older with the role anyway?
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 10/2/2025, 4:12 PM
@Shivermetimbers - yeah but I think like mid to late 30s, not 40s.
JackDeth
JackDeth - 10/2/2025, 4:15 PM
Good height.. bad voice, but yeah he's too old. Plus I would really want to see how he handles dry humor.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 10/2/2025, 4:41 PM
@JackDeth - I can already hear people complaining about Batman isn’t suppose to be funny when he has some of the best deadpan lines in JL/JLI

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Hell , even Pattinson and Bales Batman have some funny moments and lines
InfinitePunches
InfinitePunches - 10/2/2025, 4:18 PM
I've been saying his name for Batman for years
Joker666
Joker666 - 10/2/2025, 4:26 PM
Just putting it out there, I too want to play Batman!! I’ll be expecting an article asap!!
JobinJ
JobinJ - 10/2/2025, 4:32 PM
Who the [frick] is Brandon Sklener? Who deemed him
The fan favorite?
RedFury
RedFury - 10/2/2025, 4:34 PM
Doesn't fit the bill in my head as Batman. If he was younger I could totally see him as Nightwing though.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 10/2/2025, 4:37 PM
@RedFury - same

When he was younger , he was my pick for Nightwing.

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RedFury
RedFury - 10/2/2025, 4:55 PM
@TheVisionary25 - haha with how spot on you are with your casting I feel in good company with this choice.
Forthas
Forthas - 10/2/2025, 4:36 PM
There is only one...

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harryba11zack
harryba11zack - 10/2/2025, 4:54 PM
had me worried there when i first looked at the name and didn't retconise the actor but then luckfully my fear was rendered calm when I saw the photo of the actor guy
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TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 10/2/2025, 4:57 PM
Honestly , I’m not completely sold on Ben Barnes as Bruce Wayne/Batman…

Granted he could always win me over because while he certainly has the look , height & acting chops but is also still somewhat of a babyface and his voice (while perfectly fine) isn’t what I imagine for the Caped Crusader but we’ll see.

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However, I don’t see him getting it honestly though I wouldn’t mind if he joins the DCU in a different role though!!.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 10/2/2025, 5:08 PM
I could see him as Harvey Dent/Two Face or Roman Sionis/Black Mask moreso tbh.

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MuadDib
MuadDib - 10/2/2025, 5:00 PM
Pass. He’s def got the look and could be another character, but Bruce Wayne is too important to miscast.

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