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Speaking with Screen Rant, Ritchson detailed the talks he’s had with DC, sharing he’s not interested in playing a “clean-cut protagonist.” “That’s the conversation that I’ve been having with them is like, ‘I want to play somebody a little messier,’” he said. “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.“
Could Alan Ritchson Play the DCU’s Batman?
Over the summer, Gunn described Batman as “a f—ing maniac” when discussing the core differences between Batman and Superman. With that in mind, Batman could be a role that fulfills Ritchson’s dream of playing a “dirtier” character. While much about the DCU’s plans for Batman remain under wraps, Gunn has confirmed the shared universe’s iteration will not be campy. That would seemingly open the door for a darker portrayal, one that could toe the moral line. Perhaps the DCU’s Batman could employ some questionable methods on his quest to keep Gotham safe. If Gunn decides to make Batman an older, more experienced hero, there would be an opportunity to showcase a character who’s become jaded and is at the end of his rope.
There definitely are ways to dirty up Batman, but at the end of the day, he’s still a hero. And the DCU has already integrated Batman’s famous no-kill rule into canon. Theoretically, that could change, but right now it sounds like Batman will be doing his best to keep everyone — including his enemies — alive. Though the “maniac” Batman will be looking to scare criminals on the streets of Gotham, there might be a limit to how much the filmmakers can push boundaries with the character. Batman may not necessarily be “clean-cut,” but he also may not be “dirty” enough for Ritchson’s taste.
