The Flash (2023) will soon be upon us, and it will see the return of at least two versions of Batman - one in Michael Keaton, and the other in Ben Affleck. Whether or not other versions of Batman from previous films will appear remains to be seen, and the film may even introduce us to a brand-new one. But either way, a new Dark Knight is coming in the new DC Universe's The Brave and the Bold (TBA). But who will play him?
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We already know that Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck are set to reprise their versions of Bruce Wayne/Batman in The Flash, and rumor has it that Christian Bale may even be showing up in the film.
However, as recently confirmed by DC Studios' co-CEO James Gunn, we know that George Clooney won't be back, while The Batman's Robert Pattinson exists as part of DC's Elseworlds, alongside other stand-alone DC films such as Joker (2019).
In that same announcement last month, Gunn also confirmed a number of upcoming DC films and television shows, all of which will form part of a brand-new DC Universe, which The Flash will pave the way for by literally "resetting" the current DC Universe (formerly known as the DC Extended Universe).
One of those films is yet another Batman solo film titled The Brave and the Bold (TBA), which will focus on the titular Dark Knight and his son Damian Wayne, as featured in the comic book series of the same name. However, it would appear that Bruce Wayne/Batman is yet to be cast.
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While Robert Pattinson will continue to play the caped crusader, as he'll be returning for The Batman 2 (TBA) and possibly HBO Max's upcoming Penguin series which will see Colin Farrell reprise his role as Oswald Cobblepot/The Penguin, there's still another brand-new Batman heading for the big screen.
The Internet likes to talk about who will play the new James Bond/007 until it's blue in the face, but it's far more interesting to consider who will don the cape and cowl in the new DC Universe's Batman film. One actor we think should definitely apply for the position of Gotham crime-fighter is Jamie Dornan.
The Irish actor is best known for his role as kinky billionaire Christian Grey in the Fifty Shades of Grey films, however, he really got to flex his acting muscles in the hit BBC thriller The Fall, alongside Gillian Anderson.
In the show, Dornan plays deranged serial killer Peter Spector, who's extremely reminiscent of Christian Bale's Patrick Bateman in American Psycho (2000). Should Dornan end up playing Bruce Wayne/Batman, there might be something of a pattern forming here!
Another actor who we think would be literally well-suited to playing Bruce Wayne/Batman in the upcoming film would be Josh Brolin. While the actor is known for playing both Thanos (Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame) and Cable (Deadpool 2) in the Marvel films, we think it's time he headed over to the DC Universe.
Brolin was reportedly in consideration for playing the Dark Knight in Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), a role that ultimately went to Ben Affleck. However, it's plain to see that Brolin has what it takes to play an older, seasoned, and disenfranchised version of the World's Greatest Detective.
Other actors we'd love to see respond to the Bat-signal are Michael B Jordan from Black Panther (2019) and the Creed films, who not only has the actual muscles, but the acting muscles too (and not to mention he'd be the first non-White actor to go up against Gotham's Rogues Gallery), and Frank Grillo from The Purge films and Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), who, like Josh Brolin, has that rough-around-the-edges appeal definitely needed for playing Bruce Wayne's alter ego.
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Here's to hoping that we'll meet the new Bruce Wayne/Batman actor in The Flash. But if an actor is yet to be sourced, can we please at the very least see Christian Bale back in action?
Check out the official trailer for The Flash below:
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The Flash releases in theaters on June 16. As per Wikipedia, here's the synopsis for the film:
Barry Allen/The Flash travels back in time to prevent his mother's murder, which traps him in an alternate reality without metahumans. He enlists the help of Batman and the Kryptonian castaway Supergirl from alternate realities in order to save this world from the restored General Zod and return to his universe.
The Flash stars Ezra Miller (Barry Allen/The Flash), Sasha Calle (Kara Zor-El/Supergirl), Michael Shannon (General Zod), Ron Livingston (Henry Allen), Michael Keaton (Bruce Wayne/Batman), and Ben Affleck (Bruce Wayne/Batman).
Check out the official Warner Bros. The Flash hub here.