With James Gunn’s DC Universe gearing up for a new Dark Knight, fans are already making their voices heard—and now, Reacher star Alan Ritchson is getting the Bat-treatment thanks to some eye-catching new fan art.
Shared by artist Clements.Ink following Gunn’s latest update about The Brave and The Bold, the image imagines Ritchson fully suited up as Batman in a sleek black version of the Batsuit. It’s the kind of rendering that makes you wonder: if the cape fits, why not wear it?
Ritchson isn’t new to the DC world. He previously played Arthur Curry/Aquaman in Smallville and later returned as Hawk in Titans, so the cape and cowl wouldn’t exactly be a first for the actor in superhero land. But between his rising star power, intimidating physique, and commanding presence on Reacher, Ritchson’s name has increasingly come up in fan discussions for Batman—especially as the DCU looks to cast a fresh face for its upcoming slate. Plus, Ritchson has been quite open about the fact that the Dark Knight is his dream role.
While The Brave and The Bold is still in development, with Andy Muschietti set to direct and the script currently being written, no official casting announcements have been made. Gunn recently confirmed that casting has not yet begun, and there’s no release date set for the project either. But if fan sentiment is anything to go by, Ritchson is quickly becoming one of the most talked about and popular candidates for the role.
The Next Batman Will Have Pressure
Whoever gets cast as Bruce Wayne in The Brave and The Bold won’t just be headlining a standalone movie. This Batman is expected to be a recurring pillar of the DCU—meaning whoever lands the role could be suiting up for years, across multiple crossovers and solo entries. Not just that, but the chosen one will also have to compete for the hearts and minds of those Batfans who have been desperate for Robert Pattinson‘s Nirvana-tinged Bruce Wayne to cross over into Gunn’s DCU.
That kind of long-term commitment demands more than just a famous name. It needs someone with proven action chops, dramatic range, and a natural presence that can go toe-to-toe with the likes of Superman and Wonder Woman. Based on his breakout in Reacher and years of genre experience, Ritchson checks a lot of boxes.
Stay tuned to Collider for more updates on the DC Universe.
Source: Clements.Ink/Instagram