Only two movies in, the DCU is already struggling, with the Superman follow-up, Supergirl, sadly failing to soar either with critics or at the box office. Following the announcement of Supergirl as the second outing in James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new superhero franchise, many wondered why they wouldn’t lean more heavily into the big three (Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman) from the start. Well, it sounds like that may now be the plan, with a new rumor claiming that the DCU’s Dark Knight has now been cast.
The latest Batman reboot, The Brave and the Bold, was officially announced all the way back in January 2023, as part of the DC Universe’s “Chapter One: Gods and Monsters” slate. Drawing inspiration from Grant Morrison’s acclaimed comic run of the same name, the DCU outing will introduce Bryce Wayne’s estranged son, Damian, who becomes the fifth Robin alongside a more experienced Batman.
Other than It and The Flash director Andy Muschietti being on board to helm the movie, as well as it being part of the main DCU while Robert Pattinson’s The Batman franchise remains an “Elseworlds” project, we have heard little else about the development of The Brave and the Bold. Well, known insider John Campea has now claimed that the DCU Batman has been cast. He revealed on his show that “multiple sources” have named the same actor, adding, “I’m not going to say it right now, but I will say this. It’s not a name I would have guessed.”
While Campea is waiting for further confirmation before revealing that name, other insiders and rumors have since spread, claiming that the actor chosen to play Batman in the DCU alongside David Corenswet’s Superman is none other than Greyhound and Back in Action star Tom Brittney. The 35-year-old English actor is also known for the TV series Grantchester, and has several projects in the pipeline, including the thrillers Fall 2: Deadpoint and Black Box, and the crime drama series The Westies.
Brittney already has some experience with James Gunn and the DCU, having been one of the top contenders for the role of Superman, which eventually went to David Corenswet. So, while this is currently just a rumor, there is some precedent, with Gunn, of course, having also auditioned Nicholas Hoult for the Man of Steel before instead casting him in the role of Lex Luthor. Brittney also shares a striking resemblance to Corenswet, with the idea of Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne looking alike coming up in the comics plenty of times over the years, with the pair even pretending to be each other to protect their secret identities. Could Man of Tomorrow throw the ultimate hail mary to save the DCU by introducing both Batman and Wonder Woman in the Superman sequel? Only time will tell, but it could certainly help keep the hype train moving following Supergirl’s lackluster reception.
MovieWeb has reached out to Warner Bros. and representatives for Tom Brittney for comment.
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Im sure he will be fine but I thought the very best batman movie was Pattersons and I say that not being a fan of his. I watched not out of boredom one night and was shocked just how good it was. I will go to the theater to see another one with him in it
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