Brenton Thwaites, who played Dick Grayson (aka Nightwing) for four seasons on the fan-favorite series Titans, has finally spoken out about the possibility of stepping back into the role under James Gunn's new DC cinematic universe. In an exclusive panel at Calgary Expo moderated by Collider's Maggie Lovitt, Thwaites gave an honest and heartfelt take on his DCU future.
When asked if he'd consider returning to the DC world—perhaps as a different character—Thwaites praised Gunn as “a great filmmaker” but admitted he doesn't have “a lot of knowledge” about the broader DCU plans. However, he made one thing crystal clear: the only DC hero he wants to play is Dick Grayson. “He was a perfect fit,” Thwaites said. “I've played characters where I still believe I'm not that guy, and I've done movies where I am that guy, and you feel like it doesn't go away. I definitely feel like Dick Grayson, I was that guy.”
The actor elaborated on why the character resonates so deeply with him, noting that Grayson's values align with his own. “He's inclusive, and he wants to do right by people. He leads by example, leads from the front. There's a lot of similar traits that I have with the character, and maybe that shines through in a mercurial, alchemical kind of way,” Thwaites explained.
The Teen Titans Legacy
For those unfamiliar, the Teen Titans were first introduced in The Brave and the Bold #54 by Bob Haney and Bruno Premiani, originally featuring sidekicks like Robin, Wonder Girl, and Kid Flash. The team reached iconic status in the 1980s with Marv Wolfman and George Perez's The New Teen Titans, which centered on Robin leading Cyborg, Beast Boy, Starfire, and Raven. That run rivaled Marvel's X-Men in popularity, peaking with the “Judas Contract” storyline. This incarnation inspired both the animated Teen Titans series and the live-action Titans show.
DC Studios is now developing a Teen Titans movie as part of Gunn's new DCU, with Ana Nogueira—who wrote this summer's Supergirl and is penning a new Wonder Woman—attached to write the script. Additionally, Dick Grayson will appear in puppet form in the animated film Dynamic Duo, which focuses on Grayson and his successor, Jason Todd.
Thwaites' comments come as fans eagerly speculate about which actors from previous DC projects might cross over into the new universe. While Gunn has emphasized a clean slate, Thwaites' passion for the role could make a strong case for his inclusion. The actor also recently expressed interest in returning as Henry Turner in Pirates of the Caribbean 6, showing he's not shy about revisiting beloved characters.
For now, Titans is streaming on HBO Max, and fans can only hope that Thwaites' Nightwing will soar again in Gunn's DCU. Stay tuned for more updates as the new cinematic universe takes shape.
