With James Gunn taking over the DC Universe with the creation of the DCU, Batman has yet to be cast. An obviously huge role, it’s uncertain if Gunn has made his decision yet. One actor with a history with the role is Jake Gyllenhaal – and he recently expressed interest in playing the character again.
Gyllenhaal’s interest in portraying Batman is well-documented. He was once considered for the role in Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins – but it ultimately went to Christian Bale. However, Gyllenhaal’s enthusiasm for Batman has not waned. In a recent interview, when asked about the possibility of playing Batman, he spoke of his admiration for the role and the actors who have portrayed the character throughout history.
Jake Gyllenhaal acknowledged the weight of playing a classic role like Batman and the honor it would be to take on such an iconic character when he was asked by Screen Rant about the possibility:
“Oh, man. That’s a classic. It’s an honor. Speaking of playing roles that other incredible actors have played in the past, to me actually roles that other incredible actors have played in the past, which, to me, actually, when I think about it, I’m going to play Iago in Othello with Denzel Washington, and I think about like the history of actors that have played that role throughout time, and I’m intimidated by that. So that’s the first level. That’s what I’m working on right now. But of course. It would be an honor always. Those types of things and those roles are classics.”
The Brave and the Bold will be the first Batman story set in James Gunn’s DCU and little information is out regarding the film. Of course, Robert Pattinson currently plays Batman – but that is not set within Gunn’s universe.
Only time will tell if Jake Gyllenhaal’s dream of playing Batman will become a reality. Until then, fans can only speculate about the next chapter in the Batman saga.