DC Studios eyes Alan Ritchson for Batman while unveiling cosmic Lanterns series

Actor Alan Ritchson told the Happy Sad Confused podcast that he is in talks with James Gunn’s DC Studios and will join only if the role offers complexity beyond a traditional hero, hinting that a Batman assignment could suit his criteria. Ritchson emphasized his strict standards for projects and his desire to work on a film he can be proud of.

At the same SDCC event, DC Studios released a new teaser for the HBO Max series “The Lanterns.” The eight‑episode show, debuting August 17, follows Green Lanterns Hal Jordan and John Stewart as they investigate a murder in Nebraska that leads to a darker, galaxy‑wide cosmic threat. Developed by Damon Lindelof and Tom King with Chris Mundy as showrunner, the series features an ensemble cast including Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre.

Both announcements reflect James Gunn’s ongoing effort to expand the DC Universe after the recent underperformance of the Supergirl film.