Every great Batman era begins the same way: with skepticism.
Michael Keaton was dismissed for his comedic inclinations. Ben Affleck was written off as a miscast action star. Robert Pattinson was mocked for his Twilight past. Even Heath Ledger’s casting within the Batman franchise was met with intense trepidation before he ultimately redefined The Joker. History has shown that unconventional choices often produce the most lasting interpretations.
That’s exactly why Brandon Sklenar would be such a compelling – and, frankly, refreshing – choice for Batman.
Recent fan speculation has been fueled by a small but telling detail: David Corenswet, now officially the DC’s Superman, follows Sklenar on Instagram. Add to that Sklenar’s own admission that he’d love to play Batman, and suddenly the idea doesn’t feel like wishful thinking – it feels plausible. More importantly, it feels right.
Sklenar has quietly built a career on intensity, restraint, and emotional grounding. He excels at playing men who are physically imposing yet internally fractured – precisely the duality that defines Bruce Wayne. Batman is not about quips or spectacle; he’s about control barely holding back chaos. Sklenar’s performances often live in that exact space, where silent does more work than dialogue.
Visually, he fits the role without trying too hard. He has the height, the presence, and the kind of classic, slightly rugged look that evokes a comic-accurate Bruce Wayne. Someone who could believably move between Gotham’s elite and its darkest alleyways. But more than that, he looks like a man carrying weight. Batman should feel burdened by his mission, not energised by it.
What truly sets Sklenar apart, though, is what he isn’t. He isn’t overexposed. He doesn’t come with a decade-long franchise identity attached to him. That blank slate matters. Batman works best when the audience sees Bruce Wayne, not an actor trying to outside the cape. Sklenar has the rare ability to anchor a character without demanding the spotlight, which is exactly what the role requires.
In the emerging DCU, where Corenswet’s Superman represents hope, sincerity, and optimism, Sklenar’s Batman could serve as the perfect counterbalance: grounded, severe, and deeply human. Their contrasting energies would mirror the classic Superman-Batman dymanic – not as rivals, but as ideological foils learning to coexist. Casting Batman isn’t about choosing the loudest name or the safest bet. It’s about choosing someone who understands that the character’s power comes from pain, discipline, and purpose. Brandon Sklenar has shown, time and again, that he can embody those qualities without overplaying them.
If James Gunn is serious about building a long-terms, character-driven universe, Brandon Sklenar as Batman wouldn’t just be a good choice – it would be a smart one.
