James Gunn’s The Brave and the Bold will introduce a fresh take on Batman, this time as a battle-tested father raising Damian Wayne. The next Bruce Wayne needs to be someone who can carry pain, power, and purpose in every frame; someone believable both in a fistfight and in a boardroom.
We’re talking about the most iconic superhero of all time, so casting matters. Here are the ten actors I most want to see take the cowl in Gunn’s DC Universe. We’re going from 10 to 1, ending with who I think would be the perfect Batman
10. Karl Urban
Karl Urban already has a strong comic book resume, from The Boys to Dredd, and he plays hard-edged characters better than almost anyone. He could bring a gritty, no-nonsense presence to Batman, the kind that feels earned. Urban might be a bit older than what Gunn is looking for, but if the goal is a veteran Bruce Wayne who has seen too much, he fits better than most.
9. Bill Skarsgård
He’s best known for playing Pennywise in IT, but Bill Skarsgård has also shown serious range in darker, more grounded roles. He brings a haunted energy that would work well for a version of Batman who is more cerebral and tortured. Skarsgård might not be the first name people think of, but his version of Bruce would be unsettling in all the right ways: more detective, less brawler.
Actually i think as i write this I am sort of changing my mind because I think I would like him in a bit more of a sinister villain role:
Yes actually thats what I want.
8. Aaron Taylor-Johnson
He’s already on half the internet’s shortlist for James Bond, but Aaron Taylor-Johnson would also make a fantastic Batman. He’s bulked up for roles like Bullet Train and Kraven, but still carries an intensity that never feels overplayed. He could easily handle the physical demands of Batman while keeping Bruce Wayne grounded and believable. He’s also just the right level of famous to carry a franchise without overshadowing it.
7. Taron Egerton
Taron Egerton is one of the most versatile actors working today. He’s done action (Kingsman), drama (Rocketman), and voice work and nailed all of it. His Bruce Wayne could have a bit more emotional openness without sacrificing the pain that drives the character. Egerton has a sharp intelligence that would make him a great fit for Batman’s detective side. If Gunn wants someone who brings something fresh but capable, Taron should absolutely be in the conversation.
If not then i’ll definitely take him as the red hood:
6. Alexander Skarsgård
The older of the Skarsgård brothers is more of a physical powerhouse, and he showed just how feral he can go in The Northman. That version of controlled brutality lines up perfectly with Batman. His Bruce Wayne would likely be more stoic and emotionally guarded, but that might be exactly what Damian needs a father who leads by example, not by comfort. Plus, Alexander has the quiet charisma to hold a scene without overacting.
5. Alan Ritchson
Alan Ritchson looks like he was built in a Batcave. He’s physically perfect for the role, with serious fight credibility thanks to Reacher. He could easily pull off intimidating criminals on rooftops or throwing punches alongside Superman. But as Bruce Wayne, I think he’d fall short. His energy feels too straightforward, too clean. Bruce needs to be cold, broken, and a little unreachable. Ritchson would be an incredible Batman, but a forgettable Bruce.
4. Jensen Ackles
Jensen Ackles already voices Batman in DC’s animated films, and fans have been calling for his live-action debut for years. He’s the right age, has the right voice, and carries emotional depth in a way that doesn’t feel forced. If Gunn wants someone with superhero experience who still feels like a fresh face for this version of the DCU, Ackles is right there. He’s also worked with Gunn before, which helps his chances
And yes I know hes probably aged out of the role
3. Glen Powell
Powell is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about actors in Hollywood thanks to Top Gun: Maverick. He’s got old-school movie star charisma, but he can also flip a switch and bring intensity when needed. His Bruce Wayne would be charming and confident, but there’s a sharpness behind the smile that hints at something darker. He might not be the obvious pick, but he’s one of the smartest.
2. Jack O’Connell
Jack O’Connell is rugged and raw, with a history of playing characters who are emotionally bruised but tough as nails. His performances in Unbroken and Jungleland show he can carry both physical and emotional weight. He has the street-level grit and intensity to make a grounded Batman believable. O’Connell’s version of Bruce Wayne would be less polished billionaire and more broken man driven by a fierce determination to protect Gotham.
1. Jake Gyllenhaal
Jake Gyllenhaal is still the ultimate choice. He has the acting range to bring every layer of Bruce Wayne to life the grief, the rage, the precision, and the cold resolve. He’s played emotionally fractured characters better than almost anyone working today. Just watch Nightcrawler or Prisoners. He can be scary without raising his voice, and vulnerable without making it feel cheap. Gyllenhaal was nearly cast in Batman Begins, and now could be the perfect time to make it real. He is the rare actor who would completely disappear into both sides of the role.
Final Thoughts
Casting Batman is never easy. Everyone brings their own version of the character with them — from Bale’s intensity to Keaton’s restraint to Pattinson’s angsty detective. What James Gunn does next will define the new DCU. Whether he chooses a fan favorite or an out-of-the-box wild card, I hope we get a Batman who feels worn down but not broken, stoic but not soulless. These ten names would all bring something bold to the cape and cowl.
Let me know who your top pick is. Just not Chris Pratt. Please.