In January 2022, Jensen Ackles revealed that he’s working on a secret DC project with Warner Bros. Now, on the official SXSW schedule, it lists that the Supernatural actor is “developing an untitled DC project with Greg Berlanti”. Could Jensen Ackles be working on a Batman TV show?
The success of Superman & Lois
When the idea of a Superman in the Arrowverse was mooted, not many fans had high hopes for the Man of Steel. First off, he’d have to compete with Henry Cavill’s popular interpretation of the character. Then, he’d also need to defy the criticisms that have been levelled at The CW for creating budget versions of DC superheroes.
Yet, Tyler Hoechlin’s Superman defied the odds. Many fans enjoyed his take on the hero on the Arrowverse crossovers and Superman & Lois turned out to be a surprisingly good show. Instead of trying to compete with the blockbuster films, it’s shown another side of the character: as a father and husband in Smallville. Basically, it’s more Friday Night Lights than it is Justice League.
Without a shadow of a doubt, this must give confidence to the producers and showrunners that other big-name superheroes could have similar success on TV.
What’s the deal?
Despite the enormous worldbuilding that the Arrowverse has undertaken, there’s yet to be a main universe Dark Knight. Undoubtedly, he is the crown jewel of DC and everyone wants to ensure that he’s done properly. Well, attaching a mainstream TV actor like Jensen Ackles to the part of a Batman TV show is a step in the right direction.
Ackles has long been a fan of the character, having dressed up as him for Halloween and providing the voice to the Caped Crusader in the two-part Batman: The Long Halloween. It’s as clear as day that this is his favourite superhero and he wants to do more with him.
Chatting about playing the character for the first time to Entertainment Weekly, Ackles said: “I come from a previous film where I voiced Red Hood. So when I got the call for this, I assumed I would be reprising that role into whatever story these guys were adapting. But then I realized I’d gotten the upgrade! I don’t think they even got the whole word ‘Batman’ out. They were like, ‘Bat-‘ and I was like, yes!”
Sounds like someone who wouldn’t say no to playing the Dark Knight again, right?
How Jensen Ackle’s Batman TV show could happen
The reality is HBO Max needs content. To compete with Netflix and Prime Video, it requires that extra bit—that something special. While a Green Lantern show has already been greenlit, there must be an intention to grow HBO Max’s DC Universe. A Batman TV show must be extremely high on the agenda here.
Considering how Warner Bros. seems to be embracing the multiverse and not trying to make everything canon, it’s entirely possible that a Dark Knight series starring Ackles could live alone and not connect to the upcoming Penguin or Gotham PD series that are set in The Batman‘s continuity.
Alternatively, there’s a chance that this could be an Arrowverse project and see it debut on The CW. After all, Hoechlin’s Superman does deserve his own Batman. The only question is, could it be Jensen Ackles under the cape and cowl?
YES! There’s no doubt that Jensen Ackles would make a great Batman. He’s perfect for it.
I would definitely watch it and spread the word! (Big fan of the CW Arrowverse series, collectively.)
Just as Stephen Amell redefined the role for The CW, Ackles would do the same for a Batman series — no problem holding his own.
We would ABSOLUTELY love and REWATCH a Batman, or even DC universe show starring/co-starring Jensen Ackles!!! Omg that would be amazing ? ? ?
Yes! Yes! Yes!
Honestly? I want and HBOMax World’s Finest, with Jensen as a still active Batman, Clark as a mainly retired Superman removing his blue K ring or watch but never suiting up again, more stealth like the back duster over black he wore.
When Batz is a jerk, Supes could say “I almost forget you’re Jason Teague’s cousin, then you pull this. The Waynes being the ones to not be involved with Veritas.
We could see Justin Hartley back as Green Arrow and Lois Lane who clear still gets the shivers from her husband. The CW show seems to deal with their lack of chemistry by avoiding as much as possible, tender moments between them about them.
He would be literally the perfect Batman! I am praying these rumors are true!! It would be amazing.
Yes I think he. Do. A. Better. Batman than Robert Pattinson
CW!! OH HELL NO!!! This project needs to be kept far far away from their hands!
Jensen Ackles would be a great BATMAN & let Jared Padelecki be a ROBIN that woULd be a SUPERNATURAL SUPERHEROES
I would absolutely love to see Jensen Ackles as Batman!
I would absolutely ? LOVE to see Jensen Ackles as Batman. I think it should be on the CW. That is my favorite network and it just seems right to keep him on that network. My family love watching Superman and Lois, Naomi, the Flash. We need Batman!! ❤❤
Yes definitely, he would be great in the role and e we oils be a hit
Omg! Yes!
Absa frickin lutely! I think he’d be a fantastic batman, he has the talent, body, jaw structure lol and the voice and he’d be a perfect batman.
Yes would love to see Jensen as Batman
Hell yes. I’ve always said he’d be the perfect Bruce Wayne/Batman
Jensen sollte unbedingt Batman spielen.
That costume is awful
Hell yes!
Hell to the yes. He’d be perfect for tge role. DC … make ut happen!!!!! Same universe as Superman and Lois and spin it off for his own show!!!!
Jensen would be a great Batman!
They should ad him to Superman & Lois as the Bruce Wayne of that said Universe, and thus bring him in as the Batman there, and spin it off to it’s own tv show. That would be cool.
Absolutely Jensen would make a great Batman
He is a very talented actor /director/singer etc.
I hope this rumor is true I can’t wait to see
Holy Cape Crusader
Jensen would make a fantastic Batman, I hope the rumor is true it would be beginning if something spectacular.
Holy Cape Crusader!!
Hell yes
Hell yes
Would love to see that happen but how would they sell it ?, isn’t Michael Keaton reprising his roll for the batgirl show?,Would it be another universe?, so many questions lol
Would love to see that happen but how would they sell it ?, isn’t Michael Keaton reprising his roll for the batgirl show?,Would it be another universe?, so many questions lol
Michael Keaton is 70 years old and 5’9” and I never understood him being casted as Batman. He was 49 years old when he did Batman the first time. The two shows wouldn’t have anything to do with each other.
Keaton should have been Bruce Wayne in a live action Batman Beyond!
Hell yeah, think Jensen gas the right resume and sense of fun to carry this character into TV land.
Hell yes!! He would be an awesome Batman!
Considering the interview was about the long Halloween animated series I have no expectations
Jensen Ackles can replace Ben Affleck as DCEU’s Batman. I would love to see The Who bat family with him. I mostly love to see Wallis Day join Jensen Ackles as his own Batwoman. Would that work?
It sure would be wonderful if Jensen Ackles was Batman on TV, he’s a very talented actor and he’s going to make an amazing Batman, I’m rooting for that to happen.
Jensen Ackles would make an awesome live action batman and I love to see the whole bat family (including batwoman most of all) with him. Can Wallis Day play batwoman in the Jensen Ackles batman show?
I’d watch that, HBO yes, CW nope, not going to waste a minute watching the R-bat, and Jensen did play “Adam Knight” in Smallville, Adam in honor of Adam West and Knight, well duh, lolz.
Yes, I would like to see the Batman series
Please don’t CW Batman! I can stand Batman and scoobie doo, but not a CW version.