With Jason Momoa moving from Aquaman to Lobo, there is now precedent for DC Extended Universe actors to play different characters in the DC Universe. With Nightwing expected to be part of the new DCU, Shazam! star Asher Angel has tossed his name in the ring to play the acrobatic hero.
In a quote shared by Everything_DCU on X, Angel stated, “I spend a lot of time watching fancastings. I have a favorite. Obviously the Nightwing.” Angel previously played Billy Batson in Shazam! (2019) and Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023), a teenager who is granted magical powers by the Wizard, allowing him to turn into a costumed adult superhero after speaking the magic word “SHAZAM!”. Zachary Levi portrayed his superpowered alter ego. Angel is correct in that he is a popular fan choice for Dick Grayson/Nightwing, with many noting how the actor resembles the comic book version of Nightwing.
At this time, DC Studios head James Gunn has yet to announce a project that will officially feature Nightwing, although most fans expect the character to appear in the upcoming Batman solo movie, The Brave and the Bold. Unveiled back in January 2023 as one of the first 10 DCU projects, The Brave and the Bold will pull heavily from writer Grant Morrison and artist Andy Kubert’s 2006 comic book story arc, “Batman and Son,” from Batman.
The comic book arc is notable for introducing Damian Wayne, the biological son of Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul, into the DC Comics continuity. Damian later becomes the fifth character to assume the mantle of Batman’s partner, Robin, after Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, and Stephanie Brown. With The Brave and the Bold clearly setting up Damian Wayne as Robin, this means that Dick Grayson will likely have already left Gotham City for Bludhaven to begin his own vigilante activities as Nightwing.
Where Else Could Nightwing Debut in the DCU?
The Teen Titans standing behind fence.
Image via Warner Bros.
The Brave and the Bold remains stuck in development, with an undisclosed writer working on the script. Andy Muschietti is attached to direct the Batman reboot. If Gunn decides that he wants to introduce Nightwing into the DCU earlier than The Brave and the Bold, the most likely alternative would be the live-action Teen Titans movie, which was first reported to be in development back in March 2024. Ana Nogueira, who wrote the screenplay for next year’s Supergirl starring Milly Alcock, is working on the Teen Titans script, although the project has reportedly been deprioritized so that she can finish her Wonder Woman script. This suggests that Teen Titans likely won’t be entering production anytime soon, at least not until after Wonder Woman.
The next Batman-centric movie to hit theaters will be Clayface on Sept. 11, 2026.
Cast
David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Milly Alcock, Edi Gathegi, Nathan Fillion, Isabela Merced, Anthony Carrigan, Viola Davis, John Cena, Xolo Mariduena