UPDATE: Rumor Mill: Has WB found their Batman for Justice League?

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

SPOILERS for anyone who hasn’t yet seen THE DARK KNIGHT RISES and/or live in a cave. Turn back NOW if you don’t want to know anything.

UPDATE 11/27: According to Hollywood.com, the site checked with Gordon-Levitt’s reps who are refuting the rumors entirely.  That should come as no surprise and still isn’t a definitive “no” to the idea.  We’ll update accordingly.

Warner Bros. announcement that there will be a JUSTICE LEAGUE film in 2015 has drawn all kinds of speculation, doubt, and apprehension, as the studio has yet to successfully transition anything but Batman to the big screen with great success for decades.  With next year’s MAN OF STEEL already seeing hints at “tying” the film into the framework of the JUSTICE LEAGUE film, now we’re hearing new talk, courtesy of Drew McWeeny over at Hitfix. 

According to McWeeny’s sources, not only is the premonition of Gordon-Levitt’s John Blake/Robin becoming the new Batman in Nolan’s Bat-verse likely, but a definite lock for JUSTICE LEAGUE…and possibly before. 

Here’s McWeeny’s report:

“Over the last couple of weeks, that speculation [that THE DARK KNIGHT will connect to the JUSTICE LEAGUE universe] seems to have turned into conversation, and that conversation seems to be solidifying into a plan.

According to sources, Joseph Gordon-Levitt absolutely will be appearing in “Justice League” as the new Batman.

Now here’s where things get interesting.  The more insistent the drumbeat has become, the more poking around I’ve been doing, and it’s looking like we may see Gordon-Levitt in the suit earlier than that.  They’re a long way from filming anything “Justice League” related, but they appear to be solidifying deals for Gordon-Levitt and, potentially, at least one other actor from the Nolan films to do… something.”

I have no doubt that Warner Bros. is “hitting the books” in studying the success of Marvel Studios and how they tied their various properties together in Phase One and beyond, so I wouldn’t write any of this off.  To think that they wouldn’t even consider this would show them completely ignorant of creativity.  And, for the record, I think Warner Bros. is smarter than that. 

Personally, I find this to be the most intriguing rumor from the burgeoning DC Film universe.  The talk of Armie Hammer as Batman was fine, but this…this is something else entirely.  I think casting Gordon-Levitt as Bats in the continuing DC Film universe would not only be a smart move, but show some balls by taking a solid risk like that.  And, it eliminates the need to “re-establish” Batman in another origin story.  You really kill two birds with one stone and if Warner Bros. is smart, like I hope they are, they’ll turn this rumor into an official announcement.

You listening WB? Sound off and let us know what you think, Schmoes!

Zack Snyder’s MAN OF STEEL opens on June 14, 2013 and JUSTICE LEAGUE, with or without Gordon-Levitt, will open sometime in 2015.