After James Gunn’s sudden exit, Alan Ritchson’s DC future looks murkier under new leadership

Leadership change clouds prospects

Gunn and Safran’s departure from the co-CEO roles places DC Studios under new leadership. Latcham, a former Marvel Studios executive and producer on The Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy and Spider-Man: Homecoming, takes the reins on December 1.

The shift leaves Ritchson’s potential DCU role uncertain. Gunn and Safran are staying at the studio to work full-time on creative projects, so their earlier interest in casting him may still matter, subject to Latcham’s direction.

Ritchson’s DC history

Ritchson previously played Arthur Curry, also known as Aquaman, on Smallville and Hank Hall, or Hawk, on Titans. His profile has risen as the lead of Prime Video’s Reacher franchise.

He has said he was interested in playing the DCU’s Bruce Wayne, but talks with Gunn led him to rule out that possibility. Gunn and Safran were looking for a different part suited to Ritchson’s age range and one that would offer more moral complexity than a conventional superhero role.

Talks had no settled role

Ritchson’s action-star profile could appeal to the new leadership, but the article notes that his recent films Runner, War Machine, Playdate and Motor City received mixed or poor reviews. Whether Latcham’s plans include him remains unknown.

Broader DCU plans remain in place

During Gunn and Safran’s four-year leadership, DC released a Superman reboot starring David Corenswet and the film Supergirl, which fell well below box-office expectations. The leadership transition has raised questions about the wider direction of the franchise.

The Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow and a follow-up to Robert Pattinson’s Batman remain on the slate. The article says the projects are intact, even as uncertainty surrounds how Ritchson might join the DCU.