Hark, Bat-Fans! Commissioner Gordon (Variety) has lit the Bat-Signal with an article about the state of the DCEU. There’s a lot to break down in the article, but one of the most interesting hidden gems is this quote about Ben Affleck and his future as the Caped Crusader: “While Ben Affleck is expected to appear as Batman in a standalone Flash movie, it is highly unlikely he will don the cape and cowl in Matt Reeves’ planned standalone Batman movie. The director is said to want to cast the role with fresh talent, according to sources.”

This confirms what many fans have been thinking since the appearance of sad Batfleck in the aftermath of BvS, that we may soon have a new Batman to feast our hungry eyes upon. But who could play the Dark Knight in Matt Reeves’ one-off noir tinged detective tale? We’ve consulted our Bat-Computer and collected the best, brightest, and most unexpected choices for you right here!

Ruth Negga

Anyone who’s seen Ruth Negga in AMC’s Preacher will see this casting choice as a given. She’s tough, she can kick ass, and she’s suave. Obviously casting a woman as Batman would be a jump from canon, but Matt Reeves has consistently talked about this being an Elseworlds-style story. Negga as a noir-inspired femme fatale version of Bruce Wayne’s vigilante would immediately make Reeves’ Gotham stand out from the crowd.

Josh Hutcherson

Since his breakout role in The Hunger Games, Josh Hutcherson has continuously proven himself a funny, talented actor and producer whose work on projects like Detention, Final Girls, and Future Man have moved him out of the realms of YA movie star. Hutcherson would fit into Reeves’ wish for “fresh talent” and would also be a classic Batman franchise undercasting, the kind of which has led to iconic franchise performances from Keaton, Ledger, and Bale.

Avan Jogia

Probably most well known for his time in SYFY’s Ghost Wars, Jogia is a stunningly handsome actor with a whole lot of soul. It’s about time he gets his true breakout, and if Matt Reeves is looking for fresh talent then he’d be hard pressed to find better than Avan. He’s shown us he can play a complex character hiding secrets. What more do you need to play Bruce? Well, other than looking smashing in a suit, which Jogia clearly has covered.

Chiwetel Ejiofor

Chiwetel is like an unlikely choice due to his role as Karl Mordo in the MCU, but we’ve seen actors transfer between worlds before and Ejiofor is just too perfect a choice for us to leave out. He could kill in a Philip Marlowe inspired detective heavy noir Batman movie. With gravitas, style, and substance, he’d probably be the first Oscar nominated Bruce Wayne.

Michelle Pfeiffer

This is what we’d call the legacy Batman choice. Imagine the scene: it’s a dark (k)night in Gotham, rain slashing down in sheets, and we see Batman beating some villainous henchies. It’s the ’20s so they’re probably gangsters, and Gordon yells from the side, “Bruce, stop! That’s enough.” Batman turns toward Gordon and says, “I’m not Bruce.” IT WOULD BE SO GOOD. It’s TDKR meets Mad Max: Fury Road and we’re here for it.

Keanu Reeves

This is the choice where we all go keanu.woah.face.gif WHY HASN’T THIS HAPPENED ALREADY?! John Wick is essentially the best Batman/Punisher film ever made, so why not make it official? The Keanu renaissance has been upon us and Mr. Reeves would make a splendid Bruce Wayne as well as a devastating Batman. So come on Matt, cast your fellow Reeves!

John Cho

The connoisseur’s choice, John Cho is an obvious contender for the King of Gotham’s crown. Suave, stylish, and looks fantastic in a suit; this one’s a no brainer. Cho has proven himself time and time again as a great actor with the most important thing for a great Batman: comedy chops! No one wants a wholly serious Dark Knight, we know that gets tired really quickly. Cho could be the hero we all need but surely none of us deserve.

Joseph Gordon Levitt

Ever since he wandered into the Batcave to take on the mantle of Robin, or maybe Nightwing, fans have longed to know what would’ve happened if Nolan’s world had been allowed to continue. Now that the follow up DCEU is floundering, maybe we could finally see Levitt wear the cowl after all? We know Reeves’ movie will be a standalone flick, so this would be a nice nod to the Nolan trilogy, also giving fans a wholly new version of Batman.

Cole Sprouse

Now listen to us. Chill out for a second. Matt Reeves wants new blood. Cole Sprouse is already Riverdale’s hottest detective, plus he’s already in at Warner Bros. because of The CW. So maybe this choice isn’t as wild as it first seems. Though Riverdale is undeniably teen-centric, Sprouse is a great actor with masses of talent who has the background and attitude to deal with fronting a franchise. Plus, he’s always on Insta-stories working out, so maybe he’s already preparing for the role of a lifetime…

What do you think of our suggestions? Are you excited to see a fresh take on ol’ Bats? Sad to see sadfleck depart? Let us know in the comments!

Images: The CW, Warner Bros, BBC, AMC, DJ Snake, Fox, ABC, Thunder Road 

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