MOVIE NEWS – Alan Ritchson has confirmed that he and James Gunn have repeatedly discussed the possibility of working together in the DCU. The Reacher star is interested in returning to the world of comic-book adaptations, but he will only commit to a project that earns his confidence both creatively and professionally.
Alan Ritchson is no longer simply an actor fans suggest for superhero roles online. The success of Reacher has turned him into one of the most visible action stars working today, giving him considerably more influence over the projects he chooses. He also arrives with previous DC experience, having played Hank Hall, better known as Hawk, in Titans.
While appearing on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Ritchson was asked whether he had directly discussed the DCU with James Gunn. He did not reveal a character, screenplay or planned release, but his response established that genuine conversations have taken place. The interest is mutual; what remains unresolved is whether DC Studios can find material strong enough to make the collaboration worthwhile.
Mutual Interest Does Not Guarantee a Deal
“James Gunn and I have spoken a lot. I really respect James. I would like to do something with James, and James would like to do something with me. There could be a bright future for us”, Ritchson said. He also explained that his selection process has become extremely demanding. A recognisable costume, a major franchise and a prominent place in the DCU would not be enough if the underlying film failed to meet the standards he now applies to his work.
That position reflects the amount of control Ritchson has gained since becoming the face of Reacher. He is looking beyond the immediate attraction of joining a superhero universe and considering whether the script, filmmakers and long-term direction justify the commitment. DC Studios would therefore need to offer more than a character designed around his muscular appearance; the role would also have to provide meaningful dramatic material and a production he could help shape.
His DC Future Probably Does Not Include Batman
During the early development of Gunn and Peter Safran’s new continuity, Ritchson became one of the most popular fan choices for Batman. His size, imposing screen presence and experience with physically demanding roles made it easy to imagine him opposite David Corenswet’s Superman. The arrival of Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta’s Absolute Batman, which presents an unusually massive version of the Dark Knight, gave that campaign even more momentum.
Ritchson has since moved away from the speculation. Although Batman was apparently discussed at some point, the actor said in August 2025 that he “strongly” doubted the character was part of his future. He nevertheless remained confident that another opportunity with DC could still emerge.
That leaves Gunn with an enormous range of alternatives. Ritchson could headline a lesser-known hero, play a morally complicated antihero or become a formidable antagonist within the expanding universe. The discussions have already opened the door; the real challenge now is developing a film that uses more than his physical presence and satisfies the standards he is unwilling to lower, even for the DCU.
Source: MovieWeb
