What Is Jensen Ackles’ Secret DC Movie Or Show? Best Casting Theories

Long-time DC comics fan Jensen Ackles has let slip he is working on an unnamed DC project, prompting some intriguing casting theories as to what his secret DC movie or show could be. Ackles is certainly no stranger to the world of DC heroes and villains, with the Supernatural star lending his voice to the animated feature Batman: The Long Halloween as the caped crusader himself in 2021. It would seem, however, that Ackles’ association with DC does not end there after he tentatively revealed he is developing a DC property with Warner Bros. on Michael Rosenbaum’s podcast Inside of You.

In a teasing interview, Rosenbaum asks Ackles if there are any Marvel or DC projects he would want to be a part of. Ackles’ reply is decidedly intriguing, with the American actor and producer stating: “There is a DC property that I’m currently developing right now with Warner Bros. and some other good partners that I’ve got my fingers crossed for. But, again, I’m not going to talk about it because [I] don’t want to jinx it.“

The question of who these unnamed partners are, or indeed what the exact nature of Ackles’ secret Warner Bros. project is, is intriguing. Ackles’ admission that his project is tied to Warner Bros. is certainly an intriguing wrinkle unto itself, with the entertainment conglomerate currently enjoying a fruitful period of DC-adapted streaming hits via HBO max. As a result, here are the best casting theories on what Jensen Ackles secret DC movie or show is, as well as who he could play in this most clandestine of projects.

Green Lantern

One of the most plausible theories to emerge following Ackles’ interview is the possibility he could play a Green Lantern in the upcoming HBO Max series of the same name. While HBO Max’s Green Lantern likely won’t see a release until 2023, what makes it such a tantalizing option is its sprawling intergalactic premise. Green Lantern is set to follow the adventures of numerous Lanterns, with various reports stating there will be at least three different ring-wearing heroes featured by the series. This narrative direction dramatically shortens Ackles’ odds as appearing in the iconic green suit as Green Lantern looks to focus on the vast, cosmic side of the DCEU and follow the stories of various Green Lanterns united by their Corps.

John Constantine

All of the most likely options for Jensen Ackles’ DC project are rightfully tied to Warner Bros. and HBO Max, with the upcoming John Constantine no exception to this rule. John Constantine certainly fits the limited bill Ackles’ comments prescribe, with the Constantine adaptation still in early development and yet to announce its leading man. Furthermore, Ackles has the exact star quality needed to play the demon-hunting antihero, with the actor still commanding a fervent fanbase following his celebrated stint as Dean Winchester in Supernatural, among others. Although it has yet to be officially confirmed which DC characters will factor into the J.J. Abrams-led Justice League Dark series on HBO Max, Constantine is an integral part of the comics team alongside Swamp Thing, Madame Xanadu, and Deadman, making Ackles’ Constantine a highly bankable DC entity indeed should it come to pass.

Batgirl

While ordinarily the leading man, it is impossible to rule out Ackles playing a supporting role in the upcoming HBO Max movie Batgirl. The first-look images of leading lady Leslie Grace as Batgirl are promising, but there otherwise remains a lack of tangible plot and casting information on the upcoming DC movie. The most prominent theory for Ackles’ Batgirl involvement stems from the current lack of news surrounding who will play Firefly, Batgirl’s original nemesis and Gotham’s most feared arsonist-turned super criminal. This casting decision would certainly turn Ackles’ propensity for taking on more heroic roles on its head, but equally, he could also play any number of DC character cameos to delight and surprise franchise fans.

The Penguin

While The Batman itself is yet to release, Colin Farrell’s Penguin has drawn such attention that the Gotham villain has already bagged his own spin-off series. Set to explore The Penguin’s rise through Gotham’s criminal underworld, the series already has Chuck writer Lauren LeFranc attached to pen the script for the series with Warner Bros. Television set to produce for HBO Max. With no word yet on whether Robert Pattinson’s Batman will return for the series, it seems increasingly likely other DC heroes and villains will vie for supremacy over Gotham against The Penguin. The most prevalent line of thinking that ties Ackles to this particular project is that he could play Batman’s sidekick Robin, with the boy wonder yet to appear in The Penguin’s current DC continuity.

Strange Adventures

DC’s first anthology show Strange Adventures is another potential destination for Jensen Ackles due to the series’ almost unlimited scope based on current information. HBO Max describes the project as “cautionary tales set in a world where superpowers exist,” with little other information in the public domain to date. While the Strange Adventures DC comics span numerous narratives, timelines, and character arcs, Ackles is likely best suited to the role of Chris KL-99, a human celebrity who traverses the stars. Also present during the DC Universe’s Crisis on Infinite Earths, Chris KL-99 is character Ackles could undoubtedly embody and give the franchise staying power as DC continues its cinematic expansion across 2022 and 2023.

Gotham PD

The second Pattinson Batman spinoff on this list, Gotham PD will change the franchise’s tempo and focus on Jim Gordon’s story in the current Caped Crusader timeline. Little is known about what the series holds in store to date, but it is confirmed to center on the “anatomy of corruption” in Gotham City, opening up a host of casting possibilities for both heroes and villains. The beleaguered Gotham PD is beset by an innumerable amount of nefarious individuals across multiple DC universe timelines in the comics, meaning if this is Jensen Ackles‘ secret project he gets to essentially pick his character from the current underused DC line-up.