James Gunn Says It 'Won't Be Too Long' Before DCU Batman Is Cast, Will Be Close in Age to David Corenswet's Superman

James Gunn has revealed that DC Studios is finally getting ready to cast the DCU's Batman.

Speaking on a new podcast about James Gunn's Suicide Squad film, the director and DC Studios boss addressed where he's at when it comes to the next Batman. Although Robert Pattinson is playing the current caped crusader, it's expected that he will exist in his own separate universe , away from James Gunn's DCU, while another Batman will join forces with the likes of Superman.

He noted that it "won't be too long" before they begin casting the next Batman and debunked rumors that he's already been cast. He noted that he's open to casting anyone for the role, even if they've been in a previous DC movie like The Suicide Squad.

"When we do cast the DCU Batman, which isn't very far away, if I gave someone a day role in Suicide Squad that is going to be the best Batman, then I am not going to rule him out from that. I want to get everyone into account. One of the things that excites me about casting is being able to pick a Batman that is actually the best actor for that role. Supermans have always been chosen on who the best actor for that role is. And for some reason, Batmans are always chosen as movie stars."

Gunn also noted that he is taking age into account for the role, and stated that whoever they go with will likely be around the same age as David Corenswet, who plays Superman. He noted that the two characters are pals and contemporaries, which means they can't be too far apart in age. As a result, you can likely expect the next Batman to be in their low to mid-30s, which has historically been the sweet spot for the role, minus Ben Affleck, who was playing an older version of the character.

As of right now, it remains to be seen who will get the job. Batman is a beloved character and one that a lot of actors would love to take a crack at. Gunn also recently noted that Batman is one of the three main characters for DC's future , as one would expect. Some were hoping the role would go to Alan Ritchson, but the actor confirmed he's been having conversations with the studio about a non-Batman role, and DC Studios boss Peter Safran recently revealed they're trying to find a good character for him to play. As Gunn noted though, it could be someone we're not as familiar with. That worked out wonderfully with David Corenswet, who plays a great version of the Man of Steel. If casting is expected to begin soon, we may know who the next Batman is next year.

Cade Onder is a freelancer for IGN's news team. He covers all things entertainment, including gaming, film, and more. You can find him on Twitter @Cade_Onder.