DC Studios Reportedly Eyeing LANDMAN Star Mitchell Slaggert to Play the DCU’s Batman

The search for the DC Universe’s Batman may finally be narrowing down, and a new rumor has put a surprising name at the center of the conversation.

According to YouTuber John Campea, Mitchell Slaggert is being eyed by DC Studios to play Bruce Wayne in the DCU.

At this point, it’s only a rumor, and there’s no indication whether Slaggert has officially auditioned or who else might be in the running. It’s even possible, according to the report, that the role has already been decided.

As always with DC casting rumors, it’s worth taking this with a grain of salt until something official is announced.

One interesting wrinkle is that James Gunn hasn’t weighed in. The DC Studios co-CEO has made a habit of shutting down inaccurate reports on social media, but he’s been noticeably silent lately as the studio deals with the aftermath of Supergirl’s box office performance.

Gunn is also currently busy filming Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow, so his focus is understandably elsewhere.

If the rumor turns out to be true, Slaggert would follow a casting approach that’s becoming familiar for Gunn.

Before landing the role of Superman, David Corenswet wasn’t exactly a household name, and Gunn clearly had confidence that he could carry one of DC’s biggest heroes. Batman could be heading down a similar path.

Slaggert’s résumé is relatively light on feature films, with roles in Wish Upon (2017) and Write When You Get Work (2018).

Television is where he’s built most of his career, appearing in Gossip Girl, The Sex Lives of College Girls, and more recently Landman. He’s 31 years old and stands around 6-foot-2, putting him in the physical range many fans picture for Bruce Wayne.

If he has landed the role, the bigger question becomes when we’ll actually meet the DCU’s Dark Knight.

When The Brave and the Bold was announced in early 2023 alongside the launch of DC Studios, it seemed like Batman’s introduction was just around the corner.

Instead, the project has remained stuck in development, leaving fans wondering when the DCU’s Caped Crusader will finally arrive.

With The Batman: Part II starring Robert Pattinson now delayed until 2028, the timeline for Batman on the big screen has become even murkier.

If DC Studios already has its Bruce Wayne cast, there’s a chance the character could appear before The Brave and the Bold, potentially making appearances in Clayface or Man of Tomorrow.

Gunn has continued to stand by the creative team developing The Brave and the Bold, despite criticism from some fans over the filmmakers attached to the project. Addressing concerns about screenwriter Christina Hodson, he previously said:

“I will only say anyone maligning Christina Hodson’s screenwriting skills has almost certainly never read an actual screenplay by Christina Hodson - she’s one of the writers who was with us early in the DCU planning stages.

“I don’t think you can judge my writing based on films others directed, as massive liberties are sometimes taken.”

Gunn also shared an update on the film’s progress last year, explaining that while he was happy with where the script was headed, the project was still evolving.

He said he likes where The Brave and the Bold script is, but cautioned that “some things have changed” and that “plenty of things are in flux on what his situation is with his parentage and all that stuff.”

When he was asked whether Damian Wayne was still part of the story, Gunn simply responded:

“I think you have to wait to see exactly what’s happening.”

That comment suggests the movie is still being shaped, even if the foundation remains intact.

As for Slaggert, he certainly fits the mold of the kind of rising talent Gunn has shown an interest in casting.

Whether he’s actually the next Bruce Wayne remains to be seen, but if this rumor has any truth to it, DC Studios could be preparing to introduce one of its biggest heroes with another fresh face.

What do you think? Would Mitchell Slaggert make a good Batman for the DCU, or is there another actor you’d rather see wear the cape and cowl?