Marvel Star Wants to Be Batman in the DCU
Ben Barnes, known for his role as Billy Russo in the Marvel series The Punisher, made a striking statement at a fan meeting. The renowned actor expressed his desire to portray Batman in the DCU, a role he’s dreamed of for years. Barnes, who has been a huge admirer of the Dark Knight since a young age, has rekindled this desire with DC Studios’ upcoming projects.
Ben Barnes Reveals His Batman Dream
Speaking onstage with Collider’s Maggie Lovitt at the FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention, Barnes explained that his love for Batman is evident even in his childhood videos. “In every video, I was either Batman or Robin Hood. There was maybe one Spider-Man, but mostly it was Batman. I’ve wanted this since I was four years old,” he said. When challenged during the panel, “Let’s make this a reality,” Barnes humorously replied, “I’m ready. Just call me for Bruce Wayne.”
Barnes’s remarks come as DC Studios prepares to introduce a new Batman with The Brave and the Bold. The film, one of the projects announced by James Gunn and Peter Safran during the DCU’s “Gods & Monsters” era, will introduce the Dark Knight alongside Damian Wayne.
In a recent podcast interview, James Gunn stated that questions like whether Batman will have white eyes are important to fans. However, Gunn emphasized that the main issue is character and story, stating that they “have a very good story” for the new Batman. This reinforces the expectation that The Brave and the Bold will be a fundamental beginning for the Dark Knight.
The film, directed by Andy Muschietti, will operate independently of Matt Reeves’s ongoing The Batman series, which operates as a separate universe. As Reeves continues with The Batman: Part II under his Elseworlds banner, a brand new Batman era will begin in the DCU.
Ben Barnes, 43, has been making headlines for his long-held dream of playing Batman, even though he’s not officially attached to the role. It remains unclear whether the actor, known for his Marvel background, will be able to portray the Dark Knight in the DCU.
