Few filmmakers in Hollywood are under as much scrutiny as James Gunn right now. As co-CEO of DC Studios, Gunn isn’t just telling stories; he’s reimagining the future of some of the most beloved superheroes of all time. With ‘Superman’ being a huge box office success, fans have even bigger expectations for the rest of the DCU’s Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters.
Moreover, they are especially desperate for updates on two icons who have yet to be recast: Batman and Wonder Woman. This week, Gunn offered some of his most revealing comments yet, confirming that the hunt for the next Dark Knight is active and that the long-running speculation about Wonder Woman.
James Gunn Claims Search For DCU’s Batman Is “Totally Up In The Air”
Batman is more than just a character; he’s the beating heart of DC. Every generation has its Caped Crusader, and whoever steps into the role next will be carrying the legacy of Keaton, Bale, Affleck, and Pattinson and decades of animated portrayals. It’s no wonder that fans hang on Gunn’s every word about ‘The Brave and The Bold’, the upcoming Batman reboot. In a conversation with The Ringer-Verse, Gunn revealed that the search for Batman has officially begun.
Related: James Gunn Clarifies Robert Pattinson’s Batman’s Status In The New DCU
While he didn’t drop names, he admitted he has a shortlist of actors he’s fond of, just like he did when casting Superman. “Do I have ideas about actors to play Batman? Absolutely, I do. I have guys I like. I have guys that are at the top of the list,” Gunn said. However, he immediately tempered expectations. “They didn’t get the job. People can guess, and maybe they’ll be right about certain things. I don’t know. I don’t know what you’re talking about specifically. It’s totally up in the air.”
What stood out was Gunn’s honesty about the process. He emphasized that a role as monumental as Batman isn’t just “given” to someone, even if they’re a major star. Screen tests, chemistry checks, and the right energy matter far more than star power. He wants to hand someone the role outright, though he admitted that one “pretty big star” has already expressed interest.
However, whether Ritchson or another actor wins out, the process is clearly still in motion. Moreover, Gunn stressed that a finished script will be the next major milestone. “The script isn’t done… I think it’s really good. But it isn’t finished yet.” For fans, it’s both frustrating and reassuring.
James Gunn Clears The Air About Wonder Woman Casting
While Batman dominates headlines, Wonder Woman has been at the center of her own casting storm. Ever since Gal Gadot’s future as Diana Prince was left uncertain, speculation has run wild. One particular talking point, Diana’s height, has dominated online debates. Earlier this year, Gunn sparked conversation when he quipped about the difficulty of finding a 6’5 actress to tower over Superman and Batman. Superman actor David Corenswet is 6’4.
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So, since Batman hasn’t been cast yet, fans wondered: would Gunn really only consider an actress nearly as tall or taller? The filmmaker has now set the record straight. Responding to a fan on Threads, Gunn dismissed the notion that height would ever be the deciding factor in Wonder Woman’s casting. “I don’t think extreme height is the most important factor in casting WW. That’s all I said earlier as well,” he clarified.
“I never said I didn’t feel good about her being taller than Superman, I just said that would never be what I considered most important in her casting.” In other words, Diana Prince won’t be reduced to a tape measure. Gunn’s comments reassure fans that what truly matters is finding an actress with the talent, gravitas, and emotional range to embody Wonder Woman.
