A new actor will play the Dark Knight in The Brave and the Bold, a new film in the works for the DCU following this continuity's Batman and Robin. While no casting information has yet been announced, James Gunn and Peter Safran revealed the project along with a slew of others as a part of their plans for the DCU's future. The rumor mill has been spinning ever since, evidently resulting in a claim that George Clooney would return as Batman in the DCU, but Gunn was quick to dispel that one once a fan asked him about it on Twitter."Absolutely not," Gunn says to the suggestion, crushing the hearts of Batman & Robin fans everywhere.

Gunn went on to clarify what he has in mind for The Brave and the Bold. He makes it clear that he won't be using an established Batman actor for this film, despite the recent returns of both Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck for The Flash. Gunn says that a "new actor" will be brought into the fray for the DCU, but time will have to tell who ends up getting cast to play that role.

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The Brave and the Bold Brings In a New Batman

What we know is that The Brave and the Bold is going to follow Batman along with the Damian Wayne version of Robin, Bruce's son. Gunn described this version of the sidekick as his "favorite Robin" when announcing the project. The Dick Grayson version of Robin was previously featured on the big screen as played by Chris O'Donnell in Batman & Robin alongside Clooney's Batman, which may have led to the wild rumor that Clooney was coming back for this new film. It's also been confirmed that the plan for The Batman is for this world featuring Robert Pattinson's Batman to remain separate from the DCU.

There also hasn't been any casting yet for Superman, who will be reintroduced in the new film Superman: Legacy. Perhaps Gunn plans on fleshing out his own version of the Justice League in the years to come, providing a version separate from what Zack Snyder had done with Justice League and his four-hour cut. In any case, Gunn has said that he has the support of Snyder himself with the DCU plans moving forward.

“He contacted me to express his support about my choices," Gunn noted on Twitter. "He’s a great guy. Again, he seems really happy with the massive world building he’s doing now.”

The Brave and the Bold doesn't have a set release date, but The Batman Part II will be released in 2025.