James Gunn’s DCU Reportedly Eyeing Star Trek Actor as Batman for New Project

Batman fans might soon hear a very familiar voice under the cowl. According to a new report from Jeff Sneider’s The InSneider, James Gunn‘s DC Studios is eyeing Chris Pine to voice the Caped Crusader in its upcoming animated movie, Dynamic Duo.

Pine is best known for playing Captain James T. Kirk in the rebooted Star Trek films, including Star Trek Into Darkness and Star Trek Beyond. Neither DC Studios nor Gunn has confirmed anything, and Pine has reportedly only been offered the role.

Pine is no stranger to DC, or voice work either, having played Steve Trevor in Wonder Woman and voiced Peter Parker in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Fans should also not expect a Batman-heavy story.

The Dark Knight is set to play more of a supporting part in the film, which puts the spotlight on the friendship between two Robins, Dick Grayson and Jason Todd.

Dynamic Duo Also Reportedly Lands Actors for Its Two Robins

Chris Pine is not the only name tied to the project. According to the same report, Mason Thames has signed on to play Dick Grayson, Logan Kim will play Jason Todd, and Marsai Martin will voice Barbara Gordon.

Thames has quickly become one of Hollywood’s busiest young stars. He first gained attention in the horror hit The Black Phone and returned for its sequel. He then led Universal’s live-action How to Train Your Dragon as Hiccup.

Logan Kim is best known as the lovable Podcast in Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. He also played Hershel, the son of Maggie and Glenn, in The Walking Dead: Dead City.

Marsai Martin rose to fame as Diane Johnson on the sitcom black-ish. She also starred in the comedy Little and made history as its executive producer while still a teenager. It is a young, exciting cast for a movie built around growing up.

What Is This Movie from James Gunn’s DC Elseworlds About?

Dynamic Duo has nothing to do with the main DCU. When a fan on Threads asked James Gunn if the movie was being rewritten to join his shared universe, he simply replied, “Nope.” Like Matt Reeves‘ The Batman saga, it is an Elseworlds story.

Interestingly, Reeves is producing through his company 6th & Idaho, but the film is not tied to his Gotham either. Gunn and Peter Safran are producing for DC Studios, along with Theresa Andersson and Lynn Harris, while Chantal Nong serves as an executive producer.

Swaybox co-founder Arthur Mintz is directing from a script by Coco co-writer Matthew Aldrich. Announcing the movie in 2024, Gunn wrote via X:

The first feature film from the visionary Swaybox, a mix of animation, puppetry, and CGI, a script from the wonderfully talented Matt Aldrich, produced with our partners at Matt Reeves’ 6th & Idaho. This is something special.

As Gunn mentioned, the look of the movie comes from Swaybox’s ‘Momo Animation’ style, which blends CGI, stop-motion puppetry, and real-time live performance.

The story follows Dick and Jason as orphaned best friends dreaming of a better life, until their different visions for the future pull them apart. Reports suggest Dick ends up training under Batman, while Jason falls in with the Red Hood gang.

What are your expectations for the movie? Are you excited about the reported cast? Let us know in the comments below!

Dynamic Duo is set to hit theaters on June 30, 2028.