Gunn rules Pratt out as Batman, hints at other DCU role

James Gunn, cohead of DC Studios, has again pushed back on fan casting speculation for the studio's new Batman while leaving the door open for familiar names to appear elsewhere in the DC Universe. In recent interviews, Gunn explicitly ruled out Chris Pratt as the next Bruce Wayne but said Pratt could play another character in the DCU, and several actors long linked to the role have publicly downplayed or clarified their chances.

Asked whether Pratt might be cast as Batman, Gunn replied, "As Batman? No. As something else? Yes," and described Pratt as "one of my best friends" whom he would "love" to work into the DC slate. Gunn has previously said he often brings collaborators across projects and noted that a few people he worked with at Marvel already appear in Superman, the first film of his DCU reboot. He also reiterated that Robert Pattinson's Batman belongs to Matt Reeves's separate Elseworlds saga and will not be folded into Gunn's shared continuity.

Alan Ritchson, a fan favorite for the part, confirmed he has spoken with Gunn but strongly suggested he will not be the studio's Batman. "Words have been exchanged about Batman," Ritchson told Variety, "but I strongly don't...