Ever since James Gunn revealed the details of his upcoming DC slate, folks have been trying to figure out which actors could potentially be a part of the new DC Universe. Given that The Flash is being touted as one of the greatest superhero movies ever, some are wondering if perhaps Michael Keaton, who returns as Bruce Wayne/ Batman, will take over as DC’s “new” Caped Crusader in Batman: The Brave and the Bold, which is supposed to introduce Damian Wayne as the first, true, big screen Robin since Chris O’Donnell. At one point, there was even a rumour that Gunn, in a crazy out-of-left-field choice, might recruit George Clooney, as he infamously played the character in the reviled Batman and Robin. Gunn himself shot down both rumors on Twitter, claiming George Clooney will “absolutely not” be playing Batman and that they’ll be hiring a “new actor.”
While it’s possible Michael Keaton could somehow figure into the DCU following The Flash, he’s probably a bit long in the tooth to play the character in The Brave and The Bold. By the time the movie comes out, Keaton will be well into his seventies, and while that doesn’t mean he can’t play Batman anymore, if they set up The Brave and the Bold as a trilogy, they probably need a Batman in his late forties/ early fifties. If anything, Ben Affleck would be the ideal choice, but Gunn previously revealed that Affleck would likely work for DC in a director’s capacity only. However, then again, who knows – it could all be smoke and mirrors.
Whatever the case, Gunn’s DC Slate, while controversial, is generating a lot of buzz from fans, and no doubt, whoever he casts as the DCU’s Batman will probably be an exciting choice. After all, Gunn is the man who turned Chris Pratt into an action star and helped Dave Bautista launch his acting career. Maybe he’ll make a really unique choice for the part.