Alan Ritchson Confirms He's in Talks With DC Studios for a “Messier” Role
With Superman ushering in James Gunn’s new DC Universe, one of the biggest questions on every fan’s mind is, Who will take up the mantle of Batman? Over the past year, several names have surfaced, but one actor has consistently topped fan-casting lists… Alan Ritchson, the star of Reacher.
Now, Ritchson has officially confirmed that he’s been in talks with DC Studios, and his comments suggest he’s eyeing a role with a bit more grit than audiences might expect.
Speaking with ScreenRant while promoting his new film Playdate, Ritchson opened up about those conversations and what kind of character he wants to play in the DCU:
"Yeah. Yes. That's the conversation that I've been having with them is like, 'I want to play somebody a little messier.' And I told them, I said, if I'm going to do this, I described to them the kind of personality that I'd want to play and what that would mean to their world, and I think it's something everybody wants to see right now over there. So yes, I want to play somebody a little dirtier than your typical clean-cut protagonist."
It’s not often that an actor who’s the subject of so much fan speculation openly confirms he’s been meeting with the studio. If DC Studios is indeed considering him for a “messier” role, it opens the door to a lot of possibilities, including Batman.
Ritchson’s comments don’t suggest he’s aiming to play a full-on villain, but rather a morally complex character. That description could easily align with how James Gunn has talked about his vision of the Dark Knight.
During a Superman costume fitting, Superman actor David Corenswet reportedly told Gunn the suit looked “huggable,” prompting Gunn to compare that to how he sees Batman:
"Even with Batman, if I was doing Batman, I could get into it. Like, Batman's a f—ing maniac, so, yeah, he puts on a f—ing scary bat costume and goes out and tries to scare people."
That perspective perfectly fits Ritchson’s idea of a “messier” role as someone who’s driven, intense, and not afraid to get his hands dirty.
This isn’t the first time Ritchson has acknowledged his connection to DC. Earlier this year, he shared that conversations about Batman had, in fact, taken place with Gunn:
"Well, it's not rumor that James Gunn is a fan. He said it himself. And am I a fan of James Gunn? Absolutely. I don't want to mislead people.
“Words have been exchanged about Batman. But I strongly don't think that Batman is in my future. I do think there is something in my future with DC. And I would like that to remain true."
Even though Ritchson doesn’t believe Batman is likely for him, that doesn’t mean it’s off the table entirely. After all, the actor’s build, intensity, and commanding screen presence have already proven perfect for Reacher, and many fans think those same traits would make him an incredible Bruce Wayne.
Of course, if Batman isn’t the role he’s pursuing, the DCU has no shortage of morally gray heroes and antiheroes who would fit Ritchson’s “messy” description, from Lobo to Deathstroke or even Hawkman.
Whatever DC Studios and James Gunn have planned, Ritchson is on their radar, and that’s exciting news for fans. Whether he’s wearing the cape and cowl or stepping into an entirely new role, Ritchson joining the DC Universe feels like the kind of casting move that fans could get behind.