Bold claim: Nightwing is overdue on the big screen, and any of these six actors could genuinely bring Dick Grayson to life in James Gunn’s DCU. The full plan for the Bat-Family remains a bit hazy, but there’s widespread agreement that Nightwing should finally get his own spotlight, whether in The Brave and the Bold or a dedicated solo adventure.
DC Studios is clearly moving forward with Batman front and center as he trains his son, who has grown up under Talia al Ghul and the League of Assassins, leaving open the question of when Dick Grayson will step out of Robin’s shadow. The implication is that several Robins—Dick, Jason Todd, and Tim Drake—have already had their moments off-screen. Whether that approach is wise is debatable, but it does set the stage for a focused Nightwing portrayal.
In this piece, we highlight six contenders we believe could slot perfectly into the DCU’s Nightwing arc. Whether they appear in The Brave and the Bold or land a future standalone film, each candidate has the potential to fit the role—though the window matters, since Dick is envisioned as late teens to early twenties.
Click the Next/View List button to discover our picks for who should wear the Nightwing mantle.
- Walker Scobell
After turning heads in Secret Headquarters and The Adam Project, Walker Scobell has established himself as a promising young lead, with a notably magnetic presence from Disney+’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians. It’s not hard to picture a younger Scobell stepping into Robin’s shoes, but could he evolve into Nightwing? We believe he has the chops to portray a Dick Grayson who has recently chosen to part ways with Batman and forge his own heroic path. Scobell has shown solid action instincts, so a shift from Percy Jackson’s sword to Nightwing’s Escrima sticks could be exciting to watch.
- Louis Partridge
A regular on Netflix’s Enola Holmes series, Louis Partridge also appears in Disclaimer and House of Guiness. Partridge exudes the look and maturity that would suit a Dick Grayson who has spent several years as Nightwing. Grayson’s complex psyche—torn between independence and his complicated relationship with Batman—offers rich material, and Partridge has the talent to navigate that dynamic believably. After all, Bruce Wayne has long envisioned Dick inheriting the cape and cowl someday.
- Kit Connor
Kit Connor has long been a fan favorite to headline a major superhero project and would bring a compelling blend of relatability and gravity to Nightwing. His performance in Warfare signals he has the range for a character who starts as a normal kid under Bruce Wayne’s wardship and grows into a street-smart vigilante. Connor’s everyman quality, combined with the potential to project Nightwing’s protective edge over Blüdhaven, makes him a strong fit.
- Liam Woodrum
Woodrum isn’t the loudest name on the list, but that could work in his favor. DC Studios has a history of casting promising, lesser-known actors for marquee roles, and Woodrum could follow the path of rising stars who prove their mettle with a high-profile Turn. With appearances in Geek Girl, Based on a True Story, and 213 Bones, he has demonstrated versatility. If he can bring the confidence, swagger, and maturity Nightwing requires, he deserves a serious shot.
- Mason Thames
Mason Thames is riding a rising star wave, buoyed by his work on How to Train Your Dragon and other projects. He blends a spunky, buoyant energy with the temperament needed to shed Robin’s lighter aura as he steps into Nightwing. The challenge—and opportunity—will be to balance humor with the punch of serious crime-fighting, a hallmark of Nightwing’s persona. Thames could deliver that balance with the right direction.
- Asher Angel
Asher Angel impressed many in Shazam!, and even as some fans felt he’d have made a stronger Shazam, his breadth across Darby and the Dead and Lazareth signals a versatile performer with serious comic-book instincts. Angel has the qualities to anchor a Nightwing-led project, whether as a lead in The Brave and the Bold or in a separate title. He’s long overdue for a major lead role, and his range suggests he could capture Dick Grayson’s evolution—from Batman’s ward to a confident, independent Nightwing.
About The Author:
Comic Book Reader. Film Lover. WWE and F1 Fan. Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic and ComicBookMovie.com’s top contributor.
