"Would love for him to do something at DC" - James Gunn rules out Chris Pratt as the next Batman lead, but there’s a catch

Recently, James Gunn, the current head of DC Studios, shared his take on his Guardians of the Galaxy star Chris Pratt appearing in the DC Universe (DCU). Gunn ruled out the Star Lord actor playing the next Batman lead, but seemed to like the idea of him being a part of the DCU.

Gunn spoke to Escorpión Dorado on his YouTube channel PelucheEn ElEstuche, where he was asked if there was a chance Pratt would be playing the Caped Crusader in the DCU.

“As Batman? No. As something? Yes. Chris Pratt’s one of my best friends. We talk all the time. He’s a great guy. And he would love to do something at DC. I would love for him to do something at DC,” he said.

The interview was first uploaded on August 13, 2025, and then again on August 22. It has since drawn attention across fan circles as this moment not only shed some light on the Batman casting rumors but also reflected James Gunn’s pattern of collaborating with close colleagues as he built the new DCU.

Pratt has long been associated with Gunn through the MCU’s Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, making speculations about his potential DCU debut widespread. Gunn’s confirmation ruled him out as Bruce Wayne but left open possibilities in other roles, with fans quickly linking his name to Booster Gold and beyond.

The exchange also highlighted James Gunn’s long friendship with Chris Pratt, built through their years working together on Marvel Studios projects. The director’s remarks raised interest without giving away what that “something else” might be.

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James Gunn rules out Batman role for Chris Pratt

James Gunn and Chris Pratt at the Marvel Cinematic Universe Mega-Panel during 2022 San Diego Comic Con (Image via Getty)

James Gunn, co‑CEO of DC Studios, addressed rumors about Chris Pratt being cast as Batman in the DCU. Speaking to Escorpión Dorado, Gunn made it clear that Pratt would not play Batman but could appear in another role, which ended speculation about him taking on the mantle of the Dark Knight in the upcoming DC slate.

In the same interview, Gunn explained that Pratt was one of his closest friends, that they spoke often, and that Pratt had said that he would love to do something at DC. He added that he would also like to see Pratt join the DCU. Gunn then joked when asked about casting alternatives.

“Yeah, he would be a terrible Wonder Woman. That would be terrible,” he shared when Dorado jokingly raised the question of Pratt playing the Amazonian princess.

This clarification followed months of online discussion about Pratt’s possible involvement in the DCU.

James Gunn and Chris Pratt have worked together across all three Guardians of the Galaxy films, which makes the actor’s transition into the DCU seem likely at some point. This holds especially true because Gunn has a history of including his longtime collaborators in his projects, with both Michael Rooker and Sean Gunn having appeared in the Guardians of the Galaxy films and in Peacemaker.

Pratt’s absence from Marvel’s recent Avengers: Doomsday casting news further fueled speculation. Reports noted his name was missing from the initial announcement, which led fans to wonder about his future in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

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James Gunn hints at other DCU plans for Pratt

Chris Pratt and James Gunn at the Seoul premiere of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (Image via Getty)

While Chris Pratt will not take on Batman, James Gunn confirmed he could appear in another DCU role. Fan discussion soon centered around Booster Gold, a character already set to feature in an HBO Max series, which Gunn announced as part of DCU’s Chapter One: Gods and Monsters on X in January 2023.

James Gunn described Booster Gold as “one of comics’ really popular cult heroes. He’s a fascinating guy. He’s a loser from the future who uses future technology to come back to present day and become a superhero so that people will love him. It is basically the superhero story of impostor syndrome on an HBO Max series.”

Pratt previously told Rolling Stone on April 3, 2023, about him possibly playing Booster Gold in the DCU.

“If James thought I was right for it, then you know that would I would have to consider it,” he said.

Booster Gold has crossed paths with Batman in the comics many times, often seeking his approval. If Pratt was cast in the role, it could set up storylines where the two heroes interacted on screen. As of now, James Gunn has not officially confirmed Pratt’s role in the DCU.

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James Gunn on the broader Batman plan in the DCU

James Gunn at the DC Studios Creature Commandos panel during the 2024 New York Comic Con (Image via Getty)

The Batman franchise remains central to the DCU’s future. The Brave and the Bold will introduce a new Batman and Robin, focusing on Bruce Wayne and his son Damien Wayne. Notably, the film will be separate from Matt Reeves’ Batman Epic Crime Saga, which continues with Robert Pattinson as Gotham’s protector.

James Gunn explained earlier this year in a Rolling Stone interview published on June 16, 2025.

“Batman’s my biggest issue in all of DC right now, personally. And it’s not — I’m not writing Batman, but I am working with the writer of Batman and trying to get it right, because he’s incredibly important to DC, as is Wonder Woman,” he revealed.

James Gunn also emphasized the need to finish the scripts for the films involving the Dark Knight and the Amazonian princess.

“So outside of the stuff that I’m doing in the projects that are actively going, our two priorities are finishing our Wonder Woman and our Batman scripts,” he shared.

Andy Muschietti, director of The Flash, is attached to direct The Brave and the Bold. James Gunn and DC co‑CEO Peter Safran confirmed that the Caped Crusader’s project was in development. However, no casting announcements or release date have been shared yet.

Meanwhile, Reeves’ The Batman Part 2 is set for a 2027 release, creating a timeline where two different versions of the Dark Knight will exist simultaneously.

James Gunn emphasized in the Rolling Stone interview that his DCU Batman had to have a “reason for existing.”

“Batman can’t just be “Oh, we’re making a Batman movie because Batman’s the biggest character in all of Warner Bros.,” which he is. But because there’s a need for him in the DCU and a need that he’s not exactly the same as Matt’s Batman,” he said.

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What’s next for Chris Pratt?

Chris Pratt at Amazon Prime Video's The Terminal List: Dark Wolf New York Premiere (Image via Getty)

Outside of speculation about the DCU, Chris Pratt is confirmed to reprise his voice role as Mario in The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2, due for release on April 3, 2025. His future with Marvel remains unclear as Avengers: Doomsday develops further, but James Gunn has made it clear that Pratt’s collaboration with him will continue in some form within DCU’s upcoming projects.

The director’s comments confirm their strong professional bond and signal that future collaboration is only a matter of time. With The Brave and the Bold still in development and Booster Gold gaining traction among fans, attention will remain on how Pratt eventually fits into James Gunn’s new DC vision.

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Stay tuned for more news and updates about the DC Universe.