With the DC Universe set to launch its debut film, Superman, in July of 2025, all eyes are on DC for what comes next. One of the most pressing questions is who will play Batman, with James Gunn hinting at a new actor taking on the role. The interesting dynamic that emerges is that of an older Batman paired with a younger Superman, with the former being a father and the latter being early in his tenure as a superhero.
This age gap creates an intriguing dichotomy, with Superman being 31 years old and his Clark Kent confirmed as being in his early years as a superhero. This could impact the way their friendship is portrayed, potentially creating a power imbalance if Bruce is older than Clark and treated as the authority figure. Alternatively, it could lead to a more nuanced relationship, with Superman challenging Batman’s bleak worldview and learning from each other.
While individual reasons for casting a young Superman and a middle-aged Batman make sense, the obvious question becomes: how will this impact Clark and Bruce’s friendship? Generally speaking, Batman and Superman are co-leaders of the Justice League alongside Wonder Woman, serving as foils to each other. Superman is the light-hearted, optimistic hero who sees the best in humanity, while Batman is a darker, brooding type who fights to save people from experiencing the same tragedies he did.
Having Superman be significantly younger than Batman could feed into their ideological differences in an intriguing way, with Batman’s no-kill rule and pessimistic outlook contrasted with Superman’s kind, just, and optimistic nature. Alternatively, a subset of the DC audience resonated with what Henry Cavill did with the character of Superman, and casting a younger actor may not appeal to them.
Despite the potential drawbacks, a younger Superman paired with an older Batman could be an easier way to bridge the gap in personalities between Clark and Bruce, creating a more nuanced friendship for the two in the DCU. This could also lead to a more traditional presentation of the character, with opportunities to see his budding romance with Lois and difficulties learning to deal with heroes with different ethics. Ultimately, the relationship between the World’s Finest will be an interesting dynamic to see.