In a stunning turn of events that’s rippling through the superhero cineverse, DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn has extended a formal invitation to Asher Angel, the fresh-faced star who brought Billy Batson to life in the Shazam! films, to step into the boots of Nightwing in the burgeoning DC Universe. This isn’t just any casting call—it’s the fulfillment of a dream Angel has harbored for years, one he’s openly professed as the pinnacle of his acting ambitions. Yet, in a response that’s left Hollywood insiders buzzing and fans reeling, Angel’s reply to Gunn has ignited a firestorm of shock and speculation, challenging the norms of franchise loyalty and actor ambition in an industry obsessed with reboots and reinventions.
Angel, now 22, first captured audiences as the teenage Billy Batson in 2019’s Shazam!, a role that showcased his boyish charm, athletic prowess, and innate ability to embody youthful heroism. The film, directed by David F. Sandberg, was a surprise hit, blending humor with heart in the often-grim DC Extended Universe. Angel reprised the part in 2023’s Shazam! Fury of the Gods, though the sequel underperformed amid whispers of “superhero fatigue.” Despite the DCEU’s rocky end under previous leadership, Angel has remained vocal about his love for the character, expressing openness to returning as Billy even as Gunn’s DCU slate promises a fresh start. But Nightwing? That’s where things get electric.
Dick Grayson, aka Nightwing, is one of DC’s most beloved vigilantes—a former Robin who evolves from Batman’s sidekick into a independent force of acrobatic justice, leading the Teen Titans and patrolling Bludhaven with grace and grit. The character, created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger, and Jerry Robinson in 1940, has long been a fan-favorite for live-action adaptation, with rumors swirling since Gunn unveiled his Chapter One: Gods and Monsters in 2023. Projects like The Brave and the Bold, which will introduce a new Batman and his son Damian Wayne as Robin, are poised to weave Nightwing into the Bat-Family narrative. A live-action Teen Titans film has also been teased, potentially accelerating Grayson’s debut. Gunn himself has dropped hints, including a subtle Nightwing Easter egg in his 2025 Superman blockbuster—a Zesti Cola can nod to the hero’s comic lore—fueling excitement for the acrobat-turned-avenger.
Angel’s affinity for Nightwing isn’t new. As early as May 2024, he posted a GIF of the character on X (formerly Twitter), sparking immediate speculation about a DCU pivot. In recent interviews, he’s doubled down, admitting to binge-watching fan-casting videos and declaring Nightwing his “favorite” dream gig. “I spend a lot of time watching fancastings. I have a favorite, and it’s obviously Nightwing. It’s a very good one,” Angel shared on the Spout Podcast, his enthusiasm palpable. Fans have echoed the sentiment, praising his physical resemblance to comic depictions—lean, agile, with a charismatic smile that screams Grayson. Reddit threads and social media polls buzz with support, noting how his Shazam! experience honed the optimism and humor essential to Dick’s persona. Gunn’s precedent of recasting DCEU alumni, like Jason Momoa transitioning from Aquaman to Lobo, makes Angel’s potential shift feasible, bridging old and new eras seamlessly.
So, what was the shocking reply that stunned Hollywood? Sources close to the negotiations reveal Angel didn’t leap at the offer with unbridled joy. Instead, he countered with a bold condition: he’d only don the Nightwing suit if it meant reprising Billy Batson in some capacity within the DCU, perhaps in a crossover that honors Shazam’s legacy. This dual-role demand, insiders say, caught Gunn off guard, as it complicates the clean-slate approach he’s championed. Angel’s loyalty to Billy—whom he once called a role he’d “never want to take [Zachary Levi’s] place” for—clashed with the DCU’s forward momentum, where Shazam! isn’t yet integrated. Hollywood heavyweights, from agents to execs, were floored; in an era of actors chasing solo spotlights, Angel’s insistence on ensemble storytelling feels refreshingly audacious, almost revolutionary.
The implications are massive. If Gunn acquiesces, we could see a Bat-Family arc blending Shazam’s magic with Nightwing’s street-level vigilantism, enriching the DCU’s interconnected tapestry. Angel’s physique, honed through recent workouts, aligns perfectly with Nightwing’s gymnast roots—envision flips amid Bludhaven’s shadows, echoing his Shazam! wirework. Competitors like Derek Luh from Gen V have also vied for the role, but Angel’s prior DC ties give him an edge. Yet, rejection could sideline him, especially after Gunn quashed false Nightwing project rumors earlier this year.
As October 2025 unfolds, whispers suggest ongoing talks, with Gunn’s social media savvy hinting at more teases. Angel’s gambit shocks because it prioritizes character depth over career expediency, reminding us why fans adore DC’s heroes: their unyielding spirit. Whether this leads to capes in tandem or a solo Nightwing flight, Hollywood watches breathlessly. In Gunn’s DCU, dreams don’t just come true—they evolve, sometimes in ways that redefine the game.
