Original plans called for The Flash to end with Michael Keaton’s Batman in the DCEU. He’d have gone on to appear in Batgirl and Batman Beyond, likely meeting Ben Affleck’s Caped Crusader in Crisis on Infinite Earths.
DC Studios scrapped all of those ideas, and the plan is to introduce a new Batman in Andy Muschietti’s The Brave and the Bold. That story will revolve around Bruce Wayne training his son, Damian, as Robin, adapting elements from Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s Batman and Robin.
We still don’t know who is writing the movie and, based on several comments from DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn, the Caped Crusader is still a long way from being cast in the DCU.
The Boys and Supernatural star Jensen Ackles remains a fan-favourite choice to play the DCU’s Caped Crusader, and he’s no stranger to the role after lending his voice to the hero in multiple DC animated projects, including recent “Tomorrowverse” movies like Batman: The Long Halloween and Crisis on Infinite Earths.
Now, we have fan art by @captracc_ which is inspired by our first look at Superman; in the piece, Ackles suits up as The Brave and the Bold’s Batman. It’s a clever spin on that sneak peek and arguably works better with Gotham City and the Bat Signal looming large in the background.
You may recall that Ackles suited up as the Dark Knight for Halloween some years ago, proving this is a character he’s passionate about potentially bringing to the screen.
Whether Gunn would give him a shot at the role remains to be seen. However, the decision to cast relative unknown David Corenswet as the DCU’s Man of Steel suggests the filmmaker isn’t necessarily looking to fill this relaunched shared world with A-List stars. “Uh…I don’t know. Even if I knew I wouldn’t tell you,” Ackles said last year when he was asked about potentially playing the DCU’s Batman. “I mean could I do it? Sure. Would I want to do it? Yes.”
“Will I be mad when Pedro Pascal gets it? Yeah. God bless you, Pedro. You just keep killing it, buddy. Let me know when you pass on something,” he joked. “Would I entertain the idea of playing my favorite superhero of all time? Nah, I’m good. It seems like a lot of work. You have to put on that suit, be a superhero…I would love it. Sign me up.”