The DCU is still in its early days, but that hasn’t stopped fans from looking ahead and wondering which actors might define the next era of stories set in Gotham City. With The Brave and the Bold presumably set to introduce a larger Bat Family in live-action than we’ve ever seen before, the arrival of Batgirl feels less like a question of if and more like when.
When it comes to casting a new Batgirl for the DCU, one name is extremely exciting to think about. However, the catch is that this particular casting would generate lots of demand for another specific actor to play Barbara’s father, Commissioner Jim Gordon.
Maya Hawke Would Be The Perfect DCU Barbara Gordon aka Batgirl
Maya Hawke would be a genius choice for the DCU’s Barbara Gordon. Especially after playing the fan-favorite Robin Buckley in Stranger Things, Hawke has very much proven her ability to play a hero while balancing intelligence, humor, and a determined personality (all core traits of Barbara Gordon herself).
Without a doubt, Maya Hawke has the look and energy that could make a DCU Batgirl feel as if she were pulled straight from the comics.
With The Brave and the Bold potentially featuring Damian Wayne as Batman’s current Robin, some prior history will presumably be established, with Batman having already worked with his previous three Robins as well as Batgirl (aligning with the original comics). To that end, casting for Batgirl may already be in the works ahead of the first Gotham-set DCU movie.
Regardless, Maya Hawke as Batgirl would mean that DC Studios would have no choice when it comes to casting her father, Jim Gordon.
Casting Maya Hawke As Batgirl Would Make Ethan Hawke As Commissioner Gordon Necessary
Casting Maya Hawke as Batgirl would also make another inspired decision inevitable. Ethan Hawke as Commissioner Jim Gordon feels like a perfect match.
Beyond the real-life father-daughter connection and looking perfect for the roles, Ethan absolutely has the acting chops needed to portray one of Batman’s most important Gotham allies. He’s also no stranger to superhero media, having starred in Marvel’s Moon Knight as the show’s primary antagonist, Arthur Harrow.
If James Gunn wants audiences invested in this new version of Gotham, Maya and Ethan Hawke as the DCU’s Batgirl and Jim Gordon is exactly the kind of fun and exciting casting that would absolutely help make that happen.
