James Gunn Says the DCU Batman Casting Is Close and Reveals How Old Bruce Wayne Will Be

Few casting questions have lingered as long as this one. Since James Gunn and Peter Safran announced their DC Universe plans, fans have debated who will wear the cowl in the new continuity, trading rumors, fan casts and theories about how the character will be reinvented. Now Gunn has offered the most direct update yet, and the DCU Batman casting is apparently close.

The comments came from a clip of ‘The Suicide Squad: Is It Canon? — The Official Podcast’, a one-off show DC Studios announced on Thursday to clarify which parts of Gunn’s 2021 film count in the DCU. Gunn is joined on the podcast by Jennifer Holland and Steve Agee. Between canon questions, the conversation turned to the Dark Knight.

Gunn confirmed that the next big-screen Batman has not been cast yet, but said an announcement is not far away. He also said he will weigh all possibilities, including an actor he has already cast in a smaller DC role. He added that one of the things that excites him about the process is being able to pick the actor who is truly the best for the part.

The age question came from Agee. Gunn indicated that the DCU’s Bruce Wayne will be roughly the same age as David Corenswet’s Superman. That is a notable detail, since it appears to put to rest rumors that DC Studios was looking for a much older actor.

James Gunn confirms casting of the DCU Batman "isn’t very far" and hints he will be close in age to Superman "I’m gonna get everyone into account. One of the things that excites me is.. being able to pick a Batman who’s actually the best actor" (@SupesandSabers) https://t.co/bqpXMtTbHt
— Superman Saga News (@SuperSagaNews) October 29, 2026

The film is ‘Batman: The Brave and the Bold’, which was announced in January 2023 as part of the ‘Gods and Monsters’ slate. It is built around Batman and his son Damian Wayne, the fifth Robin, based on Grant Morrison’s comic run. Because Damian is a teenager, many expected Gunn to cast a middle-aged Batman, possibly in his 40s.

A Bruce Wayne close in age to Superman suggests a very different dynamic. It would line up the two heroes as contemporaries, which fits the DCU’s emphasis on a connected world. It also leaves room for a younger or mid-career actor rather than an established veteran.

The project has gone through plenty of turns. Andy Muschietti, who directed ‘The Flash’, is attached to direct, and Christina Hodson joined in January 2026 to write the screenplay. Gunn has said that creative plans for the Dark Knight have changed since the 2023 announcement, answering a fan’s question with a simple “yep”.

He has also repeatedly shut down rumors. In August, he denied that the movie was on hold until the Warner Bros. merger was settled, and earlier he said claims that Batman had already been cast were not true. Those denials followed a June rumor that a lesser-known actor had been chosen, which Gunn did not confirm.

Gunn said in January that updates would wait for an actionable script, and that he would not release two Batman movies in the same year. Matt Reeves’ ‘The Batman Part II’ is filming ahead of its 2028 release, and Robert Pattinson’s franchise remains an Elseworlds project separate from the DCU. That sequencing suggests ‘The Brave and the Bold’ would arrive after Reeves’ sequel.

Gunn has also said before that a pretty big star wants to play the role, though he didn’t name names. Several actors have publicly expressed interest over the years, which has kept fan casting lively.

The Batman update arrives as the DCU continues to expand. The timeline now runs through ‘Creature Commandos’, ‘Superman’, ‘Peacemaker’ season 2 and ‘Supergirl’, with ‘Lanterns’ and ‘Clayface’ filling out the slate. Adding a live-action Batman would be a major milestone for the shared universe.

It also shows how much Gunn is willing to talk about his process. The podcast format lets him address fan questions directly, and it may be a sign that more announcements are coming soon.

Fans should keep an eye out for any casting news in the coming weeks, especially since Gunn hinted at the possibility of a familiar face. An actor who has already appeared in a smaller DC role could change how the shared universe is built, and it would fit Gunn’s habit of reusing talent in surprising ways.

For now, the details are limited, but the timing and the age hint are enough to fuel speculation. The long wait for a DCU Batman may finally be nearing an end.