James Gunn is currently firing on all cylinders with two projects of the new DCU in active production. First is the flagship title of the new and improved DCU, Superman, which stars David Corneswet as Superman and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. The other is Peacemaker‘s sophomore season, marking the return of John Cena, who would be carrying the role over from his time in the DCEU.
While a slew of characters have been cast in the new DCU, the main trinity of the franchise is yet to be completed. With a number of actors already interested in the role, Winston Duke has thrown his hat in the ring for the role of Gotham’s Dark Knight. Speaking with /Film, the actor revealed his aspirations to play The Dark Knight in James Gunn’s DCU.
Winston Duke wants to start a campaign for his role as Batman
Speaking with /Film, Winston Duke talked about his aspirations to play the Dark Knight. Given that the character will be cast anew in James Gunn‘s DCU, Duke has a lot to offer to the role of the Caped Crusader. During the interview, the actor said:
“Listen, man, can you start that [campaign]? [Laughs] I would say I challenge you to get on all these socials and push for me. Get your community. I would love to. I would love to do that as Batman. I’d love any opportunity to explore new characters, to change narratives around some of these entrenched ideas of how these characters are supposed to look, sound, and perform. I’m all for it.”
There is a lot that Winston Duke brings to the table when it comes to the role of Batman. The actor exudes a natural charisma, one that is required for the role of Bruce Wayne. He has also proved his action chops in multiple films like Black Panther.
There is also the fact that Duke has already played Batman, starring as the caped crusader in the 2022 audio drama, Batman Unburied. This audio drama is currently available on Spotify for those doubting the actor’s ability to in play the Dark Knight.
Winston Duke might play the Caped Crusader, but perhaps not Bruce Wayne in James Gunn’s DCU
While a Black Bruce Wayne will certainly be a first, there is in fact a Black Dark Knight that exists in the DC Universe. Tim Fox is the long-lost son of Lucius Fox, who has served as Bruce Wayne’s confidant for as long as he has been the Bat of Gotham. His other son, Luke Fox, serves on the Bat Family as Batwing.
Tim Fox, also called Jace, serves as Batman in New York City, rather than Gotham. The character first made an appearance in Dark Knights: Death Metal #7. However, long before he was Batman, the character made an appearance in Batman #313, in 1979.
Jace Fox would serve as quite the character in the DCU, and would be the perfect role for Winston Duke, should he lose out on the role of Bruce Wayne.
Jace Fox will be a novel addition to the DCU, where the Bat Family is already expected to be populated, with Batman already beginning his first venture in the franchise with Damian Wayne, who is the fourth Robin, This could imply that the universe already has other members of the family like Nightwing, Red Hood and Red Robin.
