A live-action Nightwing solo film has been announced and in the works at Warner Brothers for some time now, with The Tomorrow War director Chris McKay attached to direct. Though the film has been long-delayed, many fans are still eager to see the iconic character make his big screen debut.

Dick Grayson's arrival has been a hotly anticipated one, to say the least. Past live-action iterations of the original Boy Wonder have underwhelmed, but the opportunity is certainly there for Warner Bros. and DC to shine a whole new light on Batman's first (and perhaps best) sidekick. Casting a note-perfect Grayson will be key, and there are several actors who could certainly get the job done.

Updated on October 21st, 2022 by Jordan Iacobucci:

Though the DCEU's solo Nightwing film remains in development limbo, many fans haven't yet given up on the prospect of seeing Dick Grayson's long-awaited entrance into the franchise. With the success of Matt Reeves's The Batman and the apparent development of a shared universe based around his Gotham, the likelihood of seeking Nightwing in live-action has risen exponentially. The mystery still remains, however, as to who will play the iconic character.

Dylan O'Brien

One of the first questions asked when it comes to casting the former Robin will be just how old the character should be. It would make the most sense to bring in a Dick Grayson that appears to be in his late-20s to early-30s. In that regard, 31-year-old Dylan O'Brien would be a fine choice for the role.

O'Brien is near the top of many lists when it comes to casting Nightwing, as he embodies the same energy and persona that many fans associate with the character. Young, energetic, and capable of portraying characters with a dark side, Dylan O'Brien may be the perfect choice to bring the crime fighting vigilante to life.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Joseph Gordon-Levitt would definitely be one of the older candidates Warner Bros. would ever consider casting in this film. Having already starred as Robin John Blake in Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy, his odds of appearing in the rebooted version of the same universe appear to be on the slim side. Then again, he might just be perfect for the role.

Physically speaking, Gordon-Levitt is an excellent match for the character's "pretty boy" looks and lean frame, and he undeniably exudes the sort of charm that Nightwing has come to be defined by. Should he be open to the idea of playing yet another Batman sidekick, Gordon-Levitt could be the safest option on the board for DC.

Lewis Tan

A relative newcomer to the industry, Lewis Tan already has some comic book experience under his belt. The former model and professional stuntman has appeared in Netflix's Iron Fist and is best known for his work in martial arts-heavy films like Mortal Kombat and Fistful of Vengeance.

Though Tan is not quite a household name, his fresh face would allow audiences to settle into his portrayal of Dick Grayson without becoming distracted by his prior roles. His acting chops and martial arts skills would also contribute greatly to the overall quality of the film, making him a superb choice as its star.

Garrett Hedlund

Garrett Hedlund is one of those actors who seems to pop up in every single superhero casting call. He's also someone that's seemingly been on the verge of a breakout for the better part of a decade, though he hasn't quite lived up to his billing as Hollywood's next "it" actor.

Despite the shortcomings of the would-be franchise starters like Tron: Legacy and Pan that stand out like a sore thumb on his resume, the actor has quietly put together a respectable string of solid performances in lower-profile films like On the Road and Inside Llewyn Davis. His ability to disappear into a role and command the screen is not to be underestimated, and he could therefore be an excellent choice to bring Nightwing to life.

Riz Ahmed

One of the fastest-rising stars in Hollywood, Riz Ahmed has seemingly come out of nowhere to establish himself as a force to be reckoned with on-screen. The 39-year-old had an absolutely monstrous 2016, starring in Jason Bourne, The Night Of, and Rogue One. Granted, his widely-acclaimed ing role in the 2014 thriller Nightcrawler was the one that put him on the map, but there's no denying that his career has absolutely soared since then.

Ahmed has made his darker side known in films like Encounter, proving that he is more than capable of taking on a complicated role such as this. While he might be on the older side for the young Grayson, the actor retains a youthful energy that would certainly hide his age well.

Jake Gyllenhaal

Jake Gyllenhaal may be in his 40s, but he has not slowed down when it comes to his action films. Fresh off his appearance in Michael Bay's gripping 2022 film, Ambulance, Gyllenhaal has proven once again that he is more than ready to play a substantial role as a superhero.

Having already played the villainous Mysterio in Spider-Man: Far From Home, Gyllenhaal deserves to show off his talent at playing the good guy in an equally weighty role. Though he would be an older Nightwing, there is little denying that Gyllenhaal would lend a certain groundedness to the character that would be ideal for the general gritty and realistic tone that fans have come to expect.

Kit Harington

Kit Harington has been a fan-favorite to play the defender of Blüdhaven for some time now. Best known for his breakout role as the heroic Jon Snow on the HBO smash hit, Game of Thrones, the London native is one of the biggest stars on television today and a perfect choice for the role of Nightwing.

Aside from the fact that Harington fits Richard Grayson's "pretty boy" looks perfectly, he is also an incredibly talented actor who would certainly do the role justice if cast. While he continues to wait for a call from Marvel to continue his stint as the Black Knight, Harington might be able to snag a role in a different superhero universe.

Richard Madden

Following his turn as Robb Stark in Game of Thrones and Ikaris in Eternals, Richard Madden is on the hunt for his next big role. While the 36-year-old Scottish actor may not be the first name to come to mind for many fans when they consider Nightwing, he may be the perfect candidate to bring the character to life.

Madden certainly has the movie star look necessary to pull off such an iconic character, which would help immensely with forging the charm required to pull off Dick Grayson. And, after a series of appearances in major franchises that cast him aside too soon, Madden certainly deserves a role that will last him years.

Joe Alwyn

English actor Joe Alwyn is a somewhat outside-the-box pick for Nightwing, as he is relatively untested in the action arena. Nevertheless, the actor's surefire popularity, commendable acting chops, and sturdy stature could make him the perfect candidate to bring DC's iconic vigilante to life.

It's safe to say that Alwyn's career is off to a fine start, but while the talent is certainly there, his young appearance would limit what DC could do with the character. His Dick Grayson would have to be in the very early stages of his solo career, although that may be exactly what the folks behind the scenes are looking for.

Rami Malek

One of the most subtly skilled performers on the small screen today, Rami Malek has been in the acting game for over a decade, even winning an Academy Award for his portrayal of Queen frontman Freddy Mercury in Bryan Singer's Bohemian Rhapsody.

Though Malek is a venerated actor capable of pulling off meatier roles, he may also find himself drawn to a superhero role as a way to further diversify his career. After playing so many complicated and unusual characters in his filmography, he could lend a new level of depth and realism to the character of Dick Grayson should he be cast in the film.