Though the rumor emerged in October that Jack O’Connell of Starred Up and Unbroken fame was being eyed to replace Ben Affleck as the lead of The Batman, the idea was quickly cast into doubt by reports to the contrary, and with little evidence in recent months to back up the claim, most DC fans have since let the idea go.
Nonetheless, according to sources close to We Got This Covered, O’Connell is still the top choice for the title role in Matt Reeves’ film. While the casting has yet to be confirmed, it’s said that both Warner Bros. and Reeves think the actor’s right for the part, and if they don’t land O’Connell, they’re at least likely to go with someone aged 25-30. What’s more, it’s believed that whoever the studio ends up casting, the choice will be announced around May or June.
This is far from the first time we’ve heard that the Dark Knight’s next movie will see a younger actor in the lead, despite the ongoing demand from certain corners of the fanbase to see Jon Hamm wearing the cape. Various reports from last year, for instance, alleged that the film will be taking us further back in the DCEU timeline, effectively steering clear of the events of Batfleck’s divisive two-movie run.
What exactly Bruce Wayne will be getting up to in his younger days remains unclear, though it’s currently believed that the Penguin will feature as one of the main villains of The Batman. Of course, the matter of who the next Oswald Cobblepot could be remains a source of much speculation in itself, but if what we hear is true about shooting beginning this November, then we can hopefully expect a few more details in the coming months.