This week on The Movie Dweeb Podcast, I was joined by comic connoisseur and content creator Henry Calvert to tackle one of the most burning questions in superhero cinema: Who should be the next Batman in James Gunn’s DC Universe? From the Bat-Signal to Battinson, from the Arkham games to the DCU reboot, Henry had plenty of Bat-thoughts to share.

Our chat kicked off with the big question, how will Batman fit into James Gunn’s new DC Universe? Henry admitted some hesitation, wondering if Gunn will lean into the darker elements of the Bat-family, like Jason Todd or Nightwing, or keep things light and weird, like much of his past work. “Do I trust James Gunn with that darker stuff?” Henry pondered. “Or do I just want them to kind of hint that it’s probably Matt Reeves’s and just keep it completely separate?”

Interestingly, Henry floated the idea that maybe Batman doesn’t need to be a huge presence in the DCU at all. “I’d be okay with a world where the only hint at Batman being part of the DCU is a newspaper with the Bat-Signal, and it’s Pattinson’s symbol.” He’s a big fan of The Batman and doesn’t mind if James Gunn keeps that world and the new DCU completely separate. Which, honestly, might be the best way to avoid Bat-fatigue.

But we’ve already had a glimpse of Batman in the new universe. I pointed out that the Caped Crusader appears in Gunn’s Creature Commandos (albeit silently) which strongly implies Gunn’s already cast his Batman. And given Gunn’s rule that voice actors stay consistent across mediums, that same actor will likely don the cape in live action too.

Henry’s Ideal Batman Casting? A Chunky Reacher and an Iconic Voice

So, who should play Batman in this bold new DC Universe? Henry had a few picks. “I’ve seen people say Jensen Ackles would be cool,” he mused, “but I quite like the sound of that bloke who was in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle and plays Reacher. The big lad.” That ‘big lad,’ of course, is Alan Ritchson, a towering, action-ready actor who’s already proven himself in Reacher and superhero adjacent roles.

Henry said he isn’t a massive fan of Ben Affleck’s Batman (Batfleck), but he did appreciate his physicality. “I like a chunky Batman,” he confessed, and Ritchson would definitely bring some brute strength to the role. It’s a take that leans into the darker, grittier elements of Batman, but with the right actor, it could work even in Gunn’s vibrant, offbeat DCU.

But ultimately, Henry thinks the voice is even more important than the actor under the cowl. “I just wish every Batman ever had Kevin Conroy’s voice,” he said. “Hands down, if people have seen the animated series, played the Arkham games, watched Justice League… Everyone will say Kevin Conroy is the best Batman.” And honestly? Hard to argue.

The Many Batmen Before… And the One That Stuck

We couldn’t talk Batman without acknowledging the iconic performances that have come before. From Michael Keaton’s gothic cool to Christian Bale’s growling intensity, the Bat-history is full of memorable turns. Even Affleck’s beefy bruiser and Robert Pattinson’s emo detective have their loyal fans.

But for Henry, there’s one definitive Batman: Kevin Conroy. His work in Batman: The Animated Series, the Arkham video games and the Justice League cartoons defined the character for an entire generation. His Bruce Wayne was charming and calm, but his Batman had presence; serious, strong, and endlessly quotable.

Conroy’s legacy is so impactful that Henry believes the ideal Batman moving forward would somehow channel that same voice; the clarity, the gravitas, the humanity.

James Gunn’s DC Universe: Bright, Bold and Already Full of Bats

James Gunn is officially steering the DC ship now, and his creative fingerprints are already all over it. After bringing bizarre brilliance to The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker, he’s now overseeing an entire cinematic reboot; one thats kicked off with Superman (formerly Superman: Legacy).

Henry and I talked about the tone of Gunn’s work. It’s always sharp, heartfelt, and often a little unhinged. That’s a double-edged Batarang when it comes to Batman. Gunn’s world could be the perfect space to introduce a fresh, emotionally complex Bruce Wayne, or it could risk turning the Dark Knight into comic relief if handled without the right level of seriousness.

Still, Gunn’s commitment to consistency is promising. He’s already stated that the same actors will play their roles across animation, live action and video games; a first for superhero franchises. Which means Batman’s brief cameo in Creature Commandos is a major clue that plans are well underway behind the scenes.

Whether we see a brawny bruiser like Alan Ritchson take up the cowl, or someone entirely unexpected, one thing is certain… James Gunn knows who his Batman is. And if Henry has his way, that Batman will be big, bold, and voiced (at least spiritually) by Kevin Conroy.

Swing into Henry Calvert’s full episode of The Movie Dweeb Podcast, now available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or wherever you like your superhero debates served with a side of Bat-chaos. Grab your grappling hook and join us!