As long as James Gunn doesn’t roll out the casting carpet and potential contenders for DCU’s Justice League roles of the newly rebooted CBM franchise, the fan casting for the age-old characters and comic book favorites will be the subject of steady speculation and great drama.
And so, based on their earlier works in the industry and definitive skill set, here are a few fan favorites who have quickly littered the internet space as the most choice-worthy actors in DC roles. Until Gods & Monsters officially kicks off and actors arrive to take up their respective spots in the roster of the Seven, the following actors will have to make do to satiate the mass curiosity.
Superman
For those not living under a rock, it is pretty well-founded by now that the Last Son of Krypton is in fact the most divisive issue in the current debate rooms centered around DC. While swarms of names keep flooding social media every other week, two names have remained most consistent: Wolfgang Novogratz and David Corenswet.
While the former no doubt holds a Superman charm to his physicality, Corenswet makes for a better contender in looks as well as acting skills. His small role in The Politician has been impactful enough in its range – tragic, philosophical, charmer, leader, and a friend – to be considered enough of a reason to cast him already.
Batman
No wonder history has never been able to pin the character down with one particular rendition of the billionaire superhero. Since time immemorial, there have been just as many versions of this character’s story as there were films/series about him. But in all of Batman’s arcs, one factor remained the defining thread that made him who he is – the darkness within.
At the risk of coming across as an obsessive fan of CW’s Supernatural, Jensen Ackles makes for the perfect candidate for the role. Not only can he pull off suave, off-handedly charming, and a womanizer for his part as Bruce Wayne but also carry the burden of the tragically troubled hero worthy of putting on the cape and the cowl before setting off on his path of righting the wrongs. And all of this is just from his role as Dean Winchester/Archangel Michael in Supernatural.
And of course, lest one forgets, he has the voice!
Wonder Woman
Despite popular belief and much to the disappointment of most fans, the Amazonian warrior isn’t really from a tropical land resembling the Amazon. The Comic book lore has always depicted Diana Prince as a white female with striking eyes that are blue enough to put Daniel Craig to shame. However, if one steps away from the furious and ongoing debate on race and ethnicity that surrounds the last actor that portrayed the superhero, one can find a host of actresses suitable for the role.
To remain close to the comic book portrayal of Wonder Woman, the best-voted contender is Alexandra Daddario. Her physicality combined with the incredible range of talent she has portrayed since her breakthrough role in the Percy Jackson films as a Greek demigoddess makes her the perfect cast for the Amazonian warrior.
Green Lantern
There exists an unending list of actors suited to be the intergalactic ring bearer, depending on which version the DC audience will get to see in the new Justice League. But the popular vote seems to have gone to either Alden Ehrenreich or Zac Efron as Hal Jordan. However, no other actor could be better for the role of the test pilot turned heroic savior of the day other than Glen Powell.
The actor proved himself as a fighter pilot on the big screen already and his performance in Top Gun: Maverick suggests a vibe that matches that of the upbeat character. And as for Efron, his Disney image has far been shed and replaced with a host of cultured and nuanced performances via films like The Greatest Showman and Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile, making him equally worthy of the Justice League spot, if DC is aiming for cashing in on bigger names.
On the other hand, if it is John Stewart that ends up securing the place, one need not look further than John David Washington, vouched for by Christopher Nolan himself.
The Flash
After the blunder that has been the former DCEU, the Flash (and Aquaman) have become the only relics of the past as proof that the universe does continue to exist at some forgotten corner of the vast multiverse. But as The Flash sets all of that right by resetting the timeline, one needs to look beyond Ezra Miller’s Barry Allen and come up with an equally energetic, quirky, idiosyncratic, boy genius character to fill his spot in the new Justice League.
Teen Wolf and Maze Runner veteran, Dylan O’Brien ticks all of those boxes perfectly and he has the comedic timing to match. No further discussions are required.
[P.S. Grant Gustin still remains a popular choice but there are simply too many complications to consider the veteran actor as a suitable choice for a new Justice League. All the other characters would be less experienced in this timeline as compared to him which would be odd.]
Aquaman
There exist no questions or doubts regarding who leads the casting choice for the Atlantean who rules over the seas and oceans. An actor like Jason Momoa comes only once in a generation and as such, we, as fans collectively turn toward our Nordic brethren for help. And who better than The Northman actor, Alexander Skarsgård to take on the role?
Martian Manhunter
Has Tenet not proven enough about the versatile ability of the legacy actor, John David Washington already? Does one need to watch Malcolm & Marie to believe the incredulous range of the actor who can portray so much even in his moments of quiet and solitary contemplation? Do not all of these traits perfectly define the Martian Manhunter? Why even debate any further about who gets the coveted spot as the 7th member of the new Justice League?
James Gunn is already known to be a great writer and filmmaker but what often gets lost in the haze of controversy is that he also has a knack for recognizing an actor who is fit for a role within the first few times of meeting them. And so, despite the backlash that now surrounds the Peacemaker writer, all that fans need to do now is put their trust in the fact that Gunn will churn out the best version of DCU to date.
The first film of Chapter 1: Gods & Monsters aka Superman: Legacy kicks off DCU on July 11, 2025.
