Two DCU stories, the John Stewart front runners for Lanterns and some Barside Buzz about Robert Pattinson’s Batman joining the DCU. We’ll start with the trade news first of all and they are saying there is now two main front runners for the role of John Stewart in Lanterns. We know Kyle Chandler landed the role of Hal Jordan. However, Hal also needs his younger partner.

THR says those front runners are Aaron Pierre and Stephan James. As per the trade;

‘Aaron Pierre, star of Netflix thriller Rebel Ridge, and The Piano Lesson actor Stephan James are in the mix to play fan favorite hero John Stewart, multiple sources tell The Hollywood Reporter.’

‘It is unclear if the pair are testing or reading — and sources say a decision could be made by the end of the weekend. Damson Idris, star of FX’s Snowfall, was on the shortlist, but is no longer in contention due to a scheduling conflict, according to sources.’

Additionally we have some Barside Buzz, which I have to say surprises me. Jeff Sneider in his latest The Insneider says that WB/D boss David Zazlav is desperate to get Batman back onto screens. So much so that there seems to be some kind of push to look at the possibility of Robert Pattinson’s Batman being adopted into the wider DCU.

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However, this makes no sense to me. The Batman Part 2 is coming in 2026. Which means, that’s the earliest you are going to get a Batman film, no matter what. (Unless you start filming ASAP.) If Zazlav wants more Batman quicker, it actually makes more sense to cast another actor for the DCU. Meaning, they can push ahead with The Brave and the Bold without worrying about The Batman Part 2‘s production.

There would be some benefits to linking The Batman with the DCU. It would mean things have already begun. It was also a popular film and The Penguin has been popular for HBO since it premiered last week. However, tonally I don’t think Matt Reeves ‘most grounded to date’ version of the Dark Knight fits with the more fantastical universe we seem to be getting with the new DCU under Gunn and Saffran.

Additionally, since the idea is for one actor to play Batman in every DCU project, even voice work, isn’t Pattinson, too expensive? Is that really what he’s going to agree to, to be tied to this franchise for a decade or more? Some actors would jump at that, but I’m not sure Pattinson is one of them. I guess we will see.

I’m not saying Sneider is incorrect here. I just merely don’t think it lines up as a good solution. Therefore, I would be shocked to see it actually happen. However, Sneider knows more than me, I just give my opinions, no sources.

What do you think of the two front runners for John Stewart in the Lanterns series? Which would you choose? What do you think of our piece of Barside Buzz around Robert Pattinson’s Batman joining the DCU? Thoughts below as always.

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