Over the course of Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, and Legends of Tomorrow, characters such as Martian Manhunter, Black Canary, John Constantine, Superman, Killer Frost, Hawkman & Hawkgirl, Lois Lane, Captain Cold, and many more DC heroes and villains have made the leap to the small-screen for The CW's Arrowverse. There's also been talk of a potential Batwoman series starring Ruby Rose (JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2), so just as Superman has enjoyed a recurring role on Supergirl over the past few years, it's also possible that Batman himself could eventually turn up on Batwoman.
The CW president Mark Pedowitz said earlier this summer that although Batwoman will be taking place in Gotham City, "there are no plans at this time to have Batman appear." However, it's clear that Batman does exist in the Arrowverse as he's been mentioned before, so I believe that it's only a matter of time before the Caped Crusader makes his big debut. It's not known just where Batman is currently located in the Arrowverse, but Caroline Dries (executive producer of the Batwoman series) recently said that Batman has been missing for several years, which has allowed crime to flourish in Gotham City.
Our approach is: What does Gotham look like after the Batman has been gone for three years? So if you have the law and order, protector, and hope gone, what happens as a result? Some people are thriving in his absence because now they can start to do their own thing without the oversight. A lot of other people are suffering and they’re losing hope, and the city itself and infrastructure is falling apart. So it’s not a happy place.
After witnessing the murder of his parents as a child, Bruce Wayne swore that he would bring justice to Gotham City and spent years mentally and physically preparing himself to fight crime as Batman. Toss in a handful of high-tech gadgets, world-class detective work, and an expansive rogue's gallery, and you've got one of the longest-running (and best) comic-book heroes of all-time. As Batman has seemingly abandoned Gotham City in the Arrowverse, I would imagine that the Batwoman series would explore what led to that decision if and when he returns. An older, more world-weary Batman might prove to be an interesting foil to the younger Batwoman, but I'm not sure if I see The CW going in that direction.
Well, let's get started and see just who has the chops (and the jaw) to potentially play Batman on the small-screen. I'll toss out a few suggestions to get you started. Supernatural is one of The CW's longest running series, and star Jensen Ackles has frequently been brought up as a possible contender for the role of The Dark Knight. I could certainly see Ackles pulling it off, but my vote would actually be for another Supernatual star: Misha Collins. Sporting a gruff voice and somber disposition as the angel Castiel, Collins already feels like he could step into Gotham with very few changes. Rupert Friend (Homeland) would be another interesting choice for the role, and for my final suggestion, I'll lean towards an older Batman and go with Holt McCallany (Mindhunter), who has already had a brush with the DC Universe thanks to a brief role in JUSTICE LEAGUE.
Remember, you're free to suggest anyone in the comments, so let your inner casting director run wild!
Previously on Cast This, you were asked to fill the role of Bishop, a mutant who grew up in a future in which the Sentinels had imprisoned most of the mutant population. Finding himself traveling back to the age of the X-Men, Bishop quickly became a member of the team. There were plenty of great suggestions for the role, but Aldis Hodge (Underground) was the clear favourite, followed by Sterling K. Brown (THE PREDATOR) and Idris Elba (Luther).