A live-action Nightwing solo film has been announced and in the works at Warner Brothers for some time now, with The Tomorrow War director Chris McKay attached to direct. Though the film has been long-delayed, many fans are still eager to see the iconic character make his big screen debut.
- Though the DCEU’s solo Nightwing film remains in development limbo, many fans haven’t yet given up on the prospect of seeing Dick Grayson’s long-awaited entrance into the franchise. With the success of Matt Reeves’s The Batman and the apparent development of a shared universe based around his Gotham, the likelihood of seeking Nightwing in live-action has risen exponentially. The mystery still remains, however, as to who will play the iconic character.
Dick Grayson’s arrival has been a hotly anticipated one, to say the least. Past live-action iterations of the original Boy Wonder have underwhelmed, but the opportunity is certainly there for Warner Bros. and DC to shine a whole new light on Batman’s first (and perhaps best) sidekick. Casting a note-perfect Grayson will be key, and there are several actors who could certainly get the job done.
Dylan O’Brien
One of the first questions asked when it comes to casting the former Robin will be just how old the character should be. It would make the most sense to bring in a Dick Grayson that appears to be in his late-20s to early-30s. In that regard, 31-year-old Dylan O’Brien would be a fine choice for the role.
O’Brien is near the top of many lists when it comes to casting Nightwing, as he embodies the same energy and persona that many fans associate with the character. Young, energetic, and capable of portraying characters with a dark side, Dylan O’Brien may be the perfect choice to bring the crime fighting vigilante to life.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Joseph Gordon-Levitt would definitely be one of the older candidates Warner Bros. would ever consider casting in this film. Having already starred as Robin John Blake in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, his odds of appearing in the rebooted version of the same universe appear to be on the slim side. Then again, he might just be perfect for the role.
Physically speaking, Gordon-Levitt is an excellent match for the character’s “pretty boy” looks and lean frame, and he undeniably exudes the sort of charm that Nightwing has come to be defined by. Should he be open to the idea of playing yet another Batman sidekick, Gordon-Levitt could be the safest option on the board for DC.
Lewis Tan
A relative newcomer to the industry, Lewis Tan already has some comic book experience under his belt. The former model and professional stuntman has appeared in Netflix’s Iron Fist and is best known for his work in martial arts-heavy films like Mortal Kombat and Fistful of Vengeance.
Though Tan is not quite a household name, his fresh face would allow audiences to settle into his portrayal of Dick Grayson without becoming distracted by his prior roles. His acting chops and martial arts skills would also contribute greatly to the overall quality of the film, making him a superb choice as its star.
Garrett Hedlund
Garrett Hedlund is one of those actors who seems to pop up in every single superhero casting call. He’s also someone that’s seemingly been on the verge of a breakout for the better part of a decade, though he hasn’t quite lived up to his billing as Hollywood’s next “it” actor.
Despite the shortcomings of the would-be franchise starters like Tron: Legacy and Pan that stand out like a sore thumb on his resume, the actor has quietly put together a respectable string of solid performances in lower-profile films like On the Road and Inside Llewyn Davis. His ability to disappear into a role and command the screen is not to be underestimated, and he could therefore be an excellent choice to bring Nightwing to life.
Riz Ahmed
One of the fastest-rising stars in Hollywood, Riz Ahmed has seemingly come out of nowhere to establish himself as a force to be reckoned with on-screen. The 39-year-old had an absolutely monstrous 2016, starring in Jason Bourne, The Night Of, and Rogue One. Granted, his widely-acclaimed supporting role in the 2014 thriller Nightcrawler was the one that put him on the map, but there’s no denying that his career has absolutely soared since then.
Ahmed has made his darker side known in films like Venom and Encounter, proving that he is more than capable of taking on a complicated role such as this. While he might be on the older side for the young Grayson, the actor retains a youthful energy that would certainly hide his age well.
Jake Gyllenhaal
Jake Gyllenhaal may be in his 40s, but he has not slowed down when it comes to his action films. Fresh off his appearance in Michael Bay’s gripping 2022 film, Ambulance, Gyllenhaal has proven once again that he is more than ready to play a substantial role as a superhero.
Having already played the villainous Mysterio in Spider-Man: Far From Home, Gyllenhaal deserves to show off his talent at playing the good guy in an equally weighty role. Though he would be an older Nightwing, there is little denying that Gyllenhaal would lend a certain groundedness to the character that would be ideal for the general gritty and realistic tone that fans have come to expect.
Kit Harington
Kit Harington has been a fan-favorite to play the defender of Blüdhaven for some time now. Best known for his breakout role as the heroic Jon Snow on the HBO smash hit, Game of Thrones, the London native is one of the biggest stars on television today and a perfect choice for the role of Nightwing.
Aside from the fact that Harington fits Richard Grayson’s “pretty boy” looks perfectly, he is also an incredibly talented actor who would certainly do the role justice if cast. While he continues to wait for a call from Marvel to continue his stint as the Black Knight, Harington might be able to snag a role in a different superhero universe.
Richard Madden
Following his turn as Robb Stark in Game of Thrones and Ikaris in Eternals, Richard Madden is on the hunt for his next big role. While the 36-year-old Scottish actor may not be the first name to come to mind for many fans when they consider Nightwing, he may be the perfect candidate to bring the character to life.
Madden certainly has the movie star look necessary to pull off such an iconic character, which would help immensely with forging the charm required to pull off Dick Grayson. And, after a series of appearances in major franchises that cast him aside too soon, Madden certainly deserves a role that will last him years.
Joe Alwyn
English actor Joe Alwyn is a somewhat outside-the-box pick for Nightwing, as he is relatively untested in the action arena. Nevertheless, the actor’s surefire popularity, commendable acting chops, and sturdy stature could make him the perfect candidate to bring DC’s iconic vigilante to life.
It’s safe to say that Alwyn’s career is off to a fine start, but while the talent is certainly there, his young appearance would limit what DC could do with the character. His Dick Grayson would have to be in the very early stages of his solo career, although that may be exactly what the folks behind the scenes are looking for.
Rami Malek
One of the most subtly skilled performers on the small screen today, Rami Malek has been in the acting game for over a decade, even winning an Academy Award for his portrayal of Queen frontman Freddy Mercury in Bryan Singer’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
Though Malek is a venerated actor capable of pulling off meatier roles, he may also find himself drawn to a superhero role as a way to further diversify his career. After playing so many complicated and unusual characters in his filmography, he could lend a new level of depth and realism to the character of Dick Grayson should he be cast in the film.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson
Already known for his work in the superhero industry, including his upcoming appearances as the titular character in Sony’s Kraven the Hunter solo film, Aaron Taylor-Johnson is one of the strongest choices for DC’s new take on Nightwing.
Taylor-Johnson remains one of the most natural fits for the character in the industry today. The Englishman could play the role for years to come, though he’s also capable of bringing the sort of edge to Richard Grayson which would indicate that despite his youth, he’s been at this crime fighting thing for a while.
Ryan Guzman
Ryan Guzman hasn’t been in Hollywood long, and to be frank, his resume to date doesn’t exactly scream “superhero material”. Best known as the star of two of the Step Up films and less-than-impressive TV series like Heroes Reborn and Pretty Little Liars, the 35-year-old heartthrob doesn’t seem like the sort of performer that studios simply hand a comic book franchise to. And despite the fact that he very much looks the part, if Guzman hadn’t stolen the show in Everybody Wants Some!!, he would never be in consideration for the role of Nightwing.
One role does not a career make, but the Texas native definitely showed legitimate promise in Richard Linklater’s 2016 flop, proving to be the best part of the film by far. Given the right material to work with, Guzman could just be the Nightwing fans deserve.
Steven Yeun
Steven Yeun may have gotten his start on AMC’s hit zombie drama The Walking Dead, but he has certainly made an even bigger name for himself in the years since leaving the series. Receiving an Academy Award nomination for his work in Minari and recently appearing in Jordan Peele’s latest horror endeavor, Nope, Yeun’s is certainly a name that Hollywood studios want to be associated with.
Yeun may be taking more artistic roles in recent years, but this doesn’t exempt him from the superhero fever that has taken over Hollywood over the last two decades. The actor continues to be a favorite casting choice among fans desperate to see Nightwing on the big screen, and, if cast, he would lend the proper energy and emotional resonance to such a complicated character.
Finn Wittrock
Finn Wittrock checks all the boxes when it comes to casting a live-action Nightwing for the DCEU. He physically embodies the character in a way that few others can, he’s a relatively unknown commodity, and he is incredibly talented. From his absolutely amazing performances in the American Horror Story anthology series to his more subdued turns in films like The Big Short and La La Land, there doesn’t seem to be much that Wittrock can’t do.
From an entirely practical perspective, the vast majority of the DCEU’s casting decisions thus far have been internet-breakingly controversial. Comic book fans tend to overinvest in the idea that an actor needs to look exactly like the hero they’re playing in order to truly bring the role to life. But like it or not, it’s hard to deny the fact that, if nothing else, Wittrock is a dead ringer for Richard Grayson.
Joe Keery
Joe Keery, known for his work in Stranger Things, is one of the fastest-rising names in Hollywood. The actor has a youthful energy that lends itself well to every role in which he appears and he is certainly expected to enjoy a bounteous career following the conclusion of his hit Netflix series.
Though some may prefer to see Keery join the MCU as the Human Torch, there is no denying that the actor seems destined for a superhero role of some kind in the near future. If rumors of his casting in the upcoming Fantastic 4 reboot prove false, it would be a worthwhile consolation prize for his fans if he were instead cast in DC’s upcoming film.
Jordan Fisher
Jordan Fisher is a charismatic actor known for his roles on Disney Channel and certain Broadway productions, including Dear Evan Hansen. The 28-year-old actor has yet to appear in a role that definitively catapults him into the spotlight–signifying that he could be the perfect star to bring the DCEU’s unrealized Nightwing prospects to life.
Fisher is no stranger to the DC scene, having portrayed Bart Allen, a.k.a. Impulse, on The Flash for the last several years. His experience as an exuberant young hero boasts plenty of potential for the young actor in bringing to life yet another iconic DC character.
Zac Efron
Zac Efron continues to establish himself in the Hollywood scene with diversified roles that display his range as a movie star. Having recently appeared in unusual films like Firestarter and The Greatest Beer Run Ever, Efron has proven time and time again that he can nail any role given to him–even that of the relentless defender of Blüdhaven.
Many viewers might have trouble imagining a High School Musical-era Zac Efron taking on a serious superhero role, but the actor’s more recent filmography has certainly shown off his range outside the Disney sphere of influence. Efron has even been rumored to appear in a role for the MCU in the near future, giving DC all the more reason to snag the actor before their competition does first.
Simu Liu
Simu Liu has recently debuted as one of the MCU’s best new heroes, Shang-Chi, in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. However, simply because he has a leading role with Marvel doesn’t mean that the beloved actor cannot also star in certain DC properties. As such, some could see Liu play both sides of the aisle simultaneously, both as Shang-Chi and Nightwing.
Liu has already clearly demonstrated his martial arts skills, which would certainly come in handy for an action-heavy character like Nightwing. In addition, the actor has enough charisma and good looks to pull off Dick Grayson quite nicely.
Taron Egerton
Taron Egerton is experiencing the glory days of his career considering his involvement in several hit films and franchises in recent years. His work in the Kingsman spy series and as legendary singer Elton John in Rocketman have made the actor a household name–yet he remains one of the few popular stars in his generation to have not appeared in a superhero role.
While many have lobbied for the actor to take up the claws as the MCU’s Wolverine, Egerton certainly has the versatility to lend his acting talents to DC’s depiction of Nightwing as well. Young, action-ready, and popular, Taron Egerton could be the perfect man to bring the character of Dick Grayson to life.
Jared Padalecki
Supernatural alum Jared Padalecki has enjoyed a prosperous career since the end of his hit CW series. The actor currently stars in the ongoing Walker Texas Ranger reboot, where he continues to prove his talent as a leading man. While his Supernatural costar enjoys the fame of superhero stardom on The Boys, Padalecki could find similar success at DC.
Padalecki has everything that a perfect Dick Grayson actor could need to be successful, including a look that is remarkably similar to that of the character in the comics. While perhaps a bit older than most depictions of Nightwing, Padalecki’s recent projects have proven that he isn’t quite ready to give up the action scene yet and could absolutely soar as DC’s newest hero.
