James Gunn is building a DC Universe that has more than a few aces up its superhero sleeves. From David Corenswet as Superman and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor to Aaron Pierre as Green Lantern and Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan, Gunn has assembled an impressive roster of talent. Now, he is bringing that same commitment to finding the best actor to Gotham, with the DCU Batman casting reportedly not very far away.

In a recent update, Gunn teased that the search for the Caped Crusader is progressing while promising every contender a fair shot at earning the cowl.

James Gunn is also challenging a long-standing Hollywood habit when it comes to the Dark Knight. As he pointed out on HBO Max's The Suicide Squad: Is It Canon?, Superman is often cast by finding the actor who best embodies the character, Batman has frequently been treated as a role reserved for movie stars. Gunn wants to reverse that approach, leaving the door open to performers who might not yet have the celebrity status associated with Gotham’s billionaire vigilante and also to cast an actor close in age for the "future best pals."

“When we do cast the DCU Batman, which isn’t very far, you know, if I give somebody a day role in Suicide Squad that is going to be the best Batman, I am not gonna rule from that,” he said.

The filmmaker is equally clear that getting noticed is not the same as getting the job. Although Gunn has acknowledged that some candidates were rumored to be at the top of his list, the studio is still looking for prospective Batmen through screen tests and a full audition process. No amount of name recognition will substitute for proving that an actor can convincingly inhabit the role.

That open-minded approach could make the casting process particularly interesting, especially given James Gunn’s willingness to consider actors who have already appeared in smaller DC roles. Rather than automatically dismissing someone because they lack leading-man credentials, he is prepared to judge what they can bring to Bruce Wayne. For the next Dark Knight, the audition room could matter far more than the celebrity guest list.

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With James Gunn becoming increasingly clear about his DCU vision, even Batman is beginning to come with specifications.

James Gunn is not looking to give Gotham another billionaire with a brooding stare and a personal vendetta against criminals. His DCU Batman needs to feel rooted in the comics while fitting into a world where gods, aliens, and superpowered heroes are very much part of the neighborhood. That means distinguishing his Dark Knight from Robert Pattinson’s grounded, noir-inspired take without sacrificing the character’s darker roots.

Gunn has also ruled out turning the Caped Crusader into a campy comedian, instead aiming for a serious but more comic-book-inspired interpretation shaped by Grant Morrison’s Batman run. In Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Bruce Wayne will already be an established hero who discovers his son, Damian Wayne, and must navigate fatherhood alongside crime-fighting. With that vision taking shape, Gunn is determined to find an actor who can bring this particular Batman to life.

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Who do you think would be the perfect fit for James Gunn's DCU Batman? Let us know in the comments!