Alan Ritchson Confirms DCU Future as Batman Rumors Intensify — The Team-Up Everyone Wants

Reacher star Alan Ritchson is circling a role in James Gunn’s DC Universe — and it’s not the clean-cut hero fans expect. After turns as Aquaman in Smallville and Hawk in Titans, he told ScreenRant he’s talking with DC Studios about a grittier, rougher character.

Alan Ritchson might be suiting up for James Gunn's DC Universe, but if he does, it sounds like he wants to leave the shiny hero cape at home. After Aquaman on 'Smallville' and Hawk on 'Titans', the 'Reacher' star is eyeing something rougher around the edges for round three.

Ritchson's pitch to DC: make it grimier

Ritchson confirmed he has been talking with DC Studios about a role, and he was very clear about the vibe he wants.

"I want to play somebody a little messier... a little dirtier than your typical clean-cut protagonist."

Translation: he isn't looking to be the pristine front-and-center superhero this time. He wants flaws, baggage, and probably some blood under the fingernails.

About Batman... pump the brakes

Fans have been casting him as Batman in their heads ever since 'Reacher' turned him into a brick wall with charisma. And yes, Ritchson says he has talked to James Gunn about the Dark Knight. But he also says don't start making cowl mockups just yet.

"Well, it's not rumor that James Gunn is a fan. He said it himself. And am I a fan of James Gunn? Absolutely. I don't want to mislead people. Words have been exchanged about Batman. But I strongly don't think that Batman is in my future. I do think there is something in my future with DC. And I would like that to remain true."

So: Batman chats happened, Batman outcome is unlikely. DC role of some kind still very possible.

Gunn's Batman take: darker, meaner, scarier

Adding to the speculation, an older clip of Gunn started making the rounds again in August 2025, from around the time he was working on David Corenswet's 'Superman'. In it, Gunn doesn't mince words about how he sees Batman.

"Even with Batman, if I was doing Batman I'd get into it like Batman's a fucking maniac. So he puts on a fucking scary bat costume and goes out and tries to scare people."

That tracks with Ritchson's 'messier' pitch. If Gotham gets that unhinged, there are plenty of roles for someone built like a tank who wants to wade into the moral mud.

So who could Ritchson play?

If it isn't Batman, there are a couple of meaty options that fit the tone he's describing and Gunn's vibe from that clip:

• Owlman - The evil alternate-Earth mirror of Batman: brilliant strategist, master fighter, loaded with advanced tech. In some versions, he doesn't just lose his parents — he chooses to kill them. It's a cold, calculated, truly corrupt take that would give Ritchson a lot of nasty to chew on.
• Jason Todd (Red Hood) - Former Robin turned violent antihero after being killed and resurrected. He's a tactician, a brutal brawler, and can wield the mystical All-Blades in the comics. Ritchson might be a bit older than the usual Jason, but the character's grief-and-rage engine fits the 'dirty' brief perfectly.

Bottom line: Ritchson and DC are talking, he wants a character with bite, and Gunn's Gotham sounds like the right playground for it. If not the Bat, who would you hand him in this new DCU?