James Gunnbroke the internet when he released his plans for the new DC Comics movie universe. While many of those projects were to be expected, a new Superman movie and a Green Lantern project, there were several surprises. One of the most exciting was a new Batman film series that would in no way compete with theMatt Reeves universe that started withThe Batman.This new Batman film would focus on an older Batman and his new Robin, a secret son named Damian Wayne that he had with Talia al Ghul.
Unlike the other Robins who are family friendly characters who were supposed to soften the Dark Knight’s edges,Damian Wayne is the opposite. He is a much darker figure than Bruce is. He was raised by assassins, so initially he struggles with Batman’s code of ethics, specifically about how he refuses to punish even the most violent criminals with lethal methods of combat. This ends up laying the groundwork for quite a lot of drama and humor as the two argue over how to best save Gotham. So who could play a good Damian? Here are several of the best guesses across the internet.
20Aidan Gallagher
One of the most popular actors brought up in conversation about Damian isAidan Gallagher. The young actor rose to fame as the adult trapped in a man’s body, Number 5, inThe Umbrella Academy.Not only is he a phenomenal actor, but he has shown himself to be quite menacing in an action sequence, despite the fact that he is short and has a very thin frame. In fact, the bloodiest sequences inThe Umbrella Academyall feature Gallagher where he teleports and then unleashes truly lethal techniques to subdue his time traveling enemies that are hunting his family.
When it comes to Damian, Aidan would have no problem displaying all the humor and the intensity that the character is known for. Not to mention the fact that he would take quite a bit of offense if any villains or heroes ever doubted his superhero abilities because of his age or size. Number 5 suffers no fools and neither does Damian Wayne.
19Finn Wolfhard
One actor who is without a doubt sitting on the top of Gunn’s Damian Wayne list as you read this is without question theStranger Thingsstar,Finn Wolfhard. There is no actor of his age that quite matches his level of notoriety. He has since gone on to star in other popular franchises like theITfilmsand theGhostbusters: Afterlifefranchise. While we haven’t exactly seen his tough side yet, there’s little doubt he could find a way to pull Damian off. Not to mention the fact that his face would draw in a legion ofStranger Thingsfans who are eager to see the actor’s next chapter.
Truth be told, many of the kids fromStranger Thingscould pull off Damian Wayne. Finn Wolfhard, however, is the one who has the look that is closest to Bruce Wayne and his son. It wouldn’t be hard to imagine him in a Robin costume.
18Jack Dylan Grazer
There is a long history of comic book movies reusing actors from different franchises who have already shown that they have the chops to bring a story from the comic page to the big screen with ease.Jack Dylan Grazerhas definitely proved that in theShazam!films. His performance as Billy Batson’s, and his superhero alterego Shazam’s, best friend has shown that he’s a true big screen talent worthy of more attention from Hollywood. We haven’t seen him access the darkness needed for Damian yet, but there’s little doubt that he’s got it.
While many decisions about the DCEU, it seems as though James Gunn has yet to make a final decision over whether theShazam!franchise with Zachary Levi and Jack Dylan Grazer will move into the new version of the universe. So Jack Dylan Grazer’s chances of joining the new universe as either Freddy Freeman or Damian Wayne largely depends on the success ofShazam! Fury of the Gods.
17Timothée Chalamet
While James Gunn has announced that Damian Wayne will be featured in the new Batman movie, he has not officially confirmed how old Damian will be in the film. It’s possible that some sort of genetic alteration or cloning could be used to age up Damian into more of an adult if the studio is frightened of presenting a child as a lethal machine of carnage, Hit-Girl style. An actor who could easily settle into this role isTimothée Chalamet. He is already one of the biggest stars for the studio, as he is headlining the WB’sDunefranchise as Paul Atriedes. Not only would he fully embody Damian Wayne, but he could play all the other major Robins from Batman’s history like Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, or Tim Drake.
The only problem is that he famously received advice from Leonardo DiCaprio about how to maintain his fame over time. He advised Chalamet to steer clear of heavy drug use and one other thing that he considered just as damaging: superhero movies. Timothée Chalamet would have to ignore DiCaprio’s acting advice to claim this role as his own.
Related:Florence Pugh Praises Dune: Part Two Co-Stars Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya and Austin Butler
16David Mazouz
There’s nothing wrong with keeping things within the Bat-Family. One easy way to cast Damian Wayne would be to look at the actor who already played a young Bruce Wayne for a number of years.David Mazouzshowed Bruce’s early years all the way up to his first outing as Batman for the hit showGotham.During the course of that show, he proved that he had all the gravitas and intensity necessary to pull Damian off. He’s not as well known for his comedic side, but it’s unclear if the film will make him a dark character or simply make fun of his lethal warrior in a kid’s body shtick.
It is possible that after spending so much time filmingGotham,he has no interest in playing another member of the Wayne family. Not to mention some may have trouble separating him from the role that made him famous in the first place. Of course, there’s another actor from theGothamseries that fans may want to see take the role…
15Cameron Monaghan
Truth be told,Cameron Monaghanwowed audiences with his performance as Ian Gallagher inShameless.That may have been good, but he didn’t achieve greatness until he portrayed several different takes on a younger version of The Joker inGotham.He played twins Jerome and Jeremiah Valeska, both of whom became drastically different versions of the character. Some fans of the series even consider him to be the greatest Joker actor out there, including Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix. This shows he could easily handle the darkness necessary to play Damian.
Not only that buthe has another famous rolethat proves he has leading man talent. He plays the lead in the videogame series,Star Wars: Fallen Order.His time as Cal Kestis has been extremely popular with fans. Some even hope he makes it on to shows likeThe Mandalorianor theAhsokaseries. Any actor with this much fandom behind him already deserves a shot to join the Bat-family.
14Forrest Wheeler
Since the race of actor who will play both Bruce Wayne and Talia is still up in the air, an actor likeForrest WheelerfromFresh off the Boat.Anyone who was a fan of that series, which featured the talents of Randall Park and Constance Wu, knows that Wheeler has more than enough comedic chops to handle a campier take on Damian Wayne. He also gets pretty ripped in the later seasons of the show, which would probably make him well suited to action scenes.
Truth be told, Forrest Wheeler seems like one of those actors who are only waiting for a big break to make him a Hollywood star. If James Gunn had a soft spot for ABC sitcoms that came out within the last ten years, Wheeler’s got a pretty good shot.
13Walker Scobell
Walker Scobellis one of those young actors who isthego-to funny kid of a generation.He is one of those kids who have the comedic timing and dramatic chops necessary to stand alongside some of the biggest actors working out there. He’s already starred opposite excellent A-list actors like Ryan Reynolds inThe Adam Projectand Owen Wilson inSecret Headquarters.So throwing Batman into that group would be no stretch for Scobell at all. For a character like Damian Wayne, there’s little doubt that Scobell would absolutely dominate in both the dramatic and comedic scenes.
Currently, he is on deck to take another try atPercy Jacksonfor the new Disney+ series. That will grant him enough recognition to get the attention of James Gunn once hiring for the new Batman film begins.
12Asher Angel
If you’re looking for someone to play a superhero, often the best bet is to nab someone who has already played a superhero. Look no further thanAsher Angel, the kid who embodies Billy Batson before he shouts “Shazam” and hands the movie over to Zachary Levi. He really wowed audiences in the first film with his tough, but relatable performance as the roguish New 52 take on Billy. It’s also not hard at all to imagine him suiting up in a Robin costume. Despite the fact that he doesn’t wear a superhero costume inShazam!,he definitely could pull it off.
One of the most memorable scenes of the firstShazam!movie was when he confronted his mother who hadn’t actually lost him, but had carelessly abandoned him. Seeing Asher take on a scene like that with Talia or Batman would be enough to bring pretty much anyone to tears.
Related:Shazam! Fury of the Gods Review: A Fun Sequel Loaded with Big Surprises
11Jacob Tremblay
While Damian is often played for laughs or for the dramatic tension he shares with Bruce and the other Robins, he is also a very tragic character. He was kept separated from his heroic father for most of his life. His childhood was spent in brutal training sessions orchestrated by his assassin mother and terrorist grandfather. It would be easy to do a take on Damian that leaned into the tragedy of his lost childhood rather than how awesome it is to watch him do cool ninja moves.
If ever there was a kid who could make a sad face that reduces an audience to tears, it isJacob Tremblay. Whether we’re talking aboutRoom, Wonder,or evenThe Book of Henry,Tremblay has a real knack for tugging right on your heartstrings. Not to mention the fact that he’s already played Robin on theHarley Quinnseries.
