Is Josh Brolin reportedly joining James Gunn's DCU? Rumors and speculations explained

A new DCU casting rumour has been doing the rounds on the internet. Early this week, internet scooper Daniel Richtman revealed that Thanos actor Josh Brolin is still in conversations with DC Studios for a potential role in the DCU. However, it is important to note that Daniel Richtman's claims are yet to be verified by either Josh Brolin or DC Studio representatives.

This is not the first time Josh Brolin was approached by James Gunn and Peter Safran's DC Studios for a potential role in the DCU. On September 2, 2024, Nexus Point News reported Brolin was offered the role of Hal Jordan in Lanterns. However, a week later on the 10th of the same month, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Brolin had passed on the role.

Later, in September 2024 end, the actor confirmed passing on the DCU Green Lantern role in an interview with comicbook.com. He said:

“You know what? Green Lantern didn’t work out, but that’s okay. It’s working out. Who is it going to be, Kyle Chandler? I love him as an actor, I think he’s wonderful, actually. And, you know, we’ll see what’s down the line, man.”

The last part might probably have been a key hint.

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Josh Brolin's DCU role explained and speculated

As stated, Richtman reported that Josh Brolin might still be joining Peter Safran and James Gunn's DCU. While the well-known internet scooper did not reveal the role, fan speculations are on over the role he may play. Some feel Josh Brolin may be Batman in the DCU, others say he'll play Darkseid.

The Darkseid theory is something even Josh Brolin gave a shoutout to. On January 5, 2025, popular artist Kode Abdo or Bosslogic created a digital fan image of what a Darksied played by Josh Bolin may look like. The actor loved it so much that he shared the same art on his Instagram stories. Here is the image that the artist created:

However, there is also the conjecture that Josh Brolin might be the DCU Batman we saw in the sixth Creature Commandos episode "Priyatel Skelet". There's a good reason behind such guesswork.

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Josh Brolin's history with Batman explained

Before Ben Affleck was announced to succeed Christian Bale in August 2013, rumours were circulating that Josh Brolin would put on the cape and cowl for the then untitled and unreleased Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. In an interview to The Huffington Post on September 7, 2013, Brolin discussed meeting Zack Snyder. He said:

"We did. I didn't have conversations about it, but Zack, that was part of his idea. It just didn't turn out. It's OK. It is OK. You know, another scenario might have worked better, but I'm happy for Ben."

About the negative reaction to Affleck's casting announcement, Brolin expressed sympathy for the Argo director saying:

"I've never seen such a global reaction in my life," and added: "I feel for him, truly. I would not want to be him right now. The reaction becomes so personal. It's like, 'F**k this guy, I wish he was dead.' And you're like, 'What? Dude, seriously? This guy is just working like you are. He's doing the same thing you are. He's trying to make the best choices he can.'"

Ultimately, Brolin encouraged Affleck:

"I think I might have said that like 15 years ago, but now, because of the Internet, man, I just feel for anybody who gets lambasted at that level. I want him to kick ass and I want everyone to love it and kind of eat their words."

Apart from almost playing Batman in the DCEU, Josh Brolin played the DC character Jonah Hex in the 2010 movie of the same name. The movie was negatively received by fans and critics. Even Brolin expressed his displeasure with the way Jonah Hex had turned out.

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Only time will tell if Josh Brolin will finally join the DCU. The franchise is currently underway with Creature Commandos. The series finale streams on January 9, 2025.