DC Studios chief James Gunn has ruled out long-time collaborator Chris Pratt for the title role in “The Brave and the Bold,” the upcoming Batman feature that will anchor the rebooted DC Universe. Speaking in an interview published 28 August, Gunn said Pratt would not wear the cape and cowl, ending speculation that the Marvel star could follow Gunn from Guardians of the Galaxy into DC’s flagship franchise. Gunn added that he is “keen to find a place” for Pratt elsewhere in the expanding DCU, without specifying a project or character. Pratt, whose Marvel contract appears to be winding down after three Guardians films and two Avengers installments, is already committed to voice Mario in Universal’s “Super Mario Bros. Movie 2,” due in 2026. The filmmaker reiterated that casting Batman remains his largest challenge as the studio develops “The Brave and the Bold,” which will introduce a new Bruce Wayne distinct from Robert Pattinson’s portrayal in Matt Reeves’s separate ‘Batman Epic Crime Saga.’ The script is in active development with an unnamed writer, Gunn said, and the project’s director has yet to be confirmed.