2S.James Gunn officially invited actor Asher Angel (Billy Batson in Shazam) to play the role of Nightwing in his DCU. It is known that this is the role that Asher Angel once said was his dream throughout his career. But what he replied to James Gunn shocked the whole Hollywood..2S

In a stunning turn of events that’s rippling through the superhero cineverse, DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn has extended a formal invitation to Asher Angel, the fresh-faced star who brought Billy Batson to life in the Shazam! films, to step into the boots of Nightwing in the burgeoning DC Universe.

This isn’t just any casting call—it’s the fulfillment of a dream Angel has harbored for years, one he’s openly professed as the pinnacle of his acting ambitions. Yet, in a response that’s left Hollywood insiders buzzing and fans reeling, Angel’s reply to Gunn has ignited a firestorm of shock and speculation, challenging the norms of franchise loyalty and actor ambition in an industry obsessed with reboots and reinventions.

Angel, now 22, first captured audiences as the teenage Billy Batson in 2019’s Shazam!, a role that showcased his boyish charm, athletic prowess, and innate ability to embody youthful heroism. The film, directed by David F. Sandberg, was a surprise hit, blending humor with heart in the often-grim DC Extended Universe.

Angel reprised the part in 2023’s Shazam! Fury of the Gods, though the sequel underperformed amid whispers of “superhero fatigue.” Despite the DCEU’s rocky end under previous leadership, Angel has remained vocal about his love for the character, expressing openness to returning as Billy even as Gunn’s DCU slate promises a fresh start. But Nightwing? That’s where things get electric.

Dick Grayson, aka Nightwing, is one of DC’s most beloved vigilantes—a former Robin who evolves from Batman’s sidekick into a independent force of acrobatic justice, leading the Teen Titans and patrolling Bludhaven with grace and grit.

The character, created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger, and Jerry Robinson in 1940, has long been a fan-favorite for live-action adaptation, with rumors swirling since Gunn unveiled his Chapter One: Gods and Monsters in 2023. Projects like The Brave and the Bold, which will introduce a new Batman and his son Damian Wayne as Robin, are poised to weave Nightwing into the Bat-Family narrative.

A live-action Teen Titans film has also been teased, potentially accelerating Grayson’s debut. Gunn himself has dropped hints, including a subtle Nightwing Easter egg in his 2025 Superman blockbuster—a Zesti Cola can nod to the hero’s comic lore—fueling excitement for the acrobat-turned-avenger.

Angel’s affinity for Nightwing isn’t new. As early as May 2024, he posted a GIF of the character on X (formerly Twitter), sparking immediate speculation about a DCU pivot. In recent interviews, he’s doubled down, admitting to binge-watching fan-casting videos and declaring Nightwing his “favorite” dream gig. “I spend a lot of time watching fancastings.

I have a favorite, and it’s obviously Nightwing. It’s a very good one,” Angel shared on the Spout Podcast, his enthusiasm palpable. Fans have echoed the sentiment, praising his physical resemblance to comic depictions—lean, agile, with a charismatic smile that screams Grayson.

Reddit threads and social media polls buzz with support, noting how his Shazam! experience honed the optimism and humor essential to Dick’s persona. Gunn’s precedent of recasting DCEU alumni, like Jason Momoa transitioning from Aquaman to Lobo, makes Angel’s potential shift feasible, bridging old and new eras seamlessly.

So, what was the shocking reply that stunned Hollywood? Sources close to the negotiations reveal Angel didn’t leap at the offer with unbridled joy. Instead, he countered with a bold condition: he’d only don the Nightwing suit if it meant reprising Billy Batson in some capacity within the DCU, perhaps in a crossover that honors Shazam’s legacy.

This dual-role demand, insiders say, caught Gunn off guard, as it complicates the clean-slate approach he’s championed. Angel’s loyalty to Billy—whom he once called a role he’d “never want to take [Zachary Levi’s] place” for—clashed with the DCU’s forward momentum, where Shazam! isn’t yet integrated.

Hollywood heavyweights, from agents to execs, were floored; in an era of actors chasing solo spotlights, Angel’s insistence on ensemble storytelling feels refreshingly audacious, almost revolutionary.

The implications are massive. If Gunn acquiesces, we could see a Bat-Family arc blending Shazam’s magic with Nightwing’s street-level vigilantism, enriching the DCU’s interconnected tapestry.

Angel’s physique, honed through recent workouts, aligns perfectly with Nightwing’s gymnast roots—envision flips amid Bludhaven’s shadows, echoing his Shazam! wirework. Competitors like Derek Luh from Gen V have also vied for the role, but Angel’s prior DC ties give him an edge.

Yet, rejection could sideline him, especially after Gunn quashed false Nightwing project rumors earlier this year.

As October 2025 unfolds, whispers suggest ongoing talks, with Gunn’s social media savvy hinting at more teases. Angel’s gambit shocks because it prioritizes character depth over career expediency, reminding us why fans adore DC’s heroes: their unyielding spirit.

Whether this leads to capes in tandem or a solo Nightwing flight, Hollywood watches breathlessly. In Gunn’s DCU, dreams don’t just come true—they evolve, sometimes in ways that redefine the game.

When Hollywood’s storms threatened to pull him under, Henry Cavill didn’t run to fame or fortune — he retreated to a desk, a lamp, and an army of tiny plastic warriors. For 48 hours, the man who once wore Superman’s cape disappeared into the painted chaos of Warhammer — and came out calmer, sharper, and more himself than ever. But the real twist? That quiet weekend would spark a new mission that could change his entire career.

When Hollywood’s storms threatened to pull him under, Henry Cavill didn’t run to fame or fortune — he retreated to a desk, a lamp, and an army of tiny plastic warriors.

For 48 hours, the man who once wore Superman’s cape disappeared into the painted chaos of Warhammer — and came out calmer, sharper, and more himself than ever. But the real twist? That quiet weekend would spark a new mission that could change his entire career.

In the glittering yet unforgiving world of Hollywood, few stars have navigated as many highs and lows as Henry Cavill. The British actor, known for his chiseled jawline and commanding presence, skyrocketed to global fame as Superman in the DC Extended Universe, starting with 2013’s Man of Steel.

He embodied the Last Son of Krypton with a mix of vulnerability and strength that resonated with fans. But by late 2022, the winds of change swept through Warner Bros., and Cavill’s tenure as the iconic hero came to an abrupt end.

James Gunn and Peter Safran, the new heads of DC Studios, announced a full reboot of the universe, opting for a younger Superman played by David Corenswet in the upcoming 2025 film. Cavill, who had briefly announced his return in a post-credits scene for Black Adam, was left out in the cold. “It was a tough pill to swallow,” Cavill reflected in a recent interview, acknowledging the emotional toll of losing a role he held dear.

The chaos didn’t stop there. Cavill’s other major franchise role, as Geralt of Rivia in Netflix’s The Witcher, also unraveled amid creative differences. A lifelong fan of Andrzej Sapkowski’s books and the video game adaptations, Cavill had championed fidelity to the source material.

However, reports surfaced that the show’s direction strayed too far from the lore for his liking. In October 2022, he announced his departure after season 3, with Liam Hemsworth stepping in for seasons 4 and 5.

Showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich later suggested that Cavill’s exit was influenced by his Superman commitments, which ultimately fell through, leaving him in a professional limbo. Speculation abounded: Was it scheduling conflicts, creative clashes, or simply burnout? Cavill himself remained diplomatic, but insiders noted the strain it placed on his career trajectory.

By early 2023, as the dust settled from these high-profile breakups, Cavill found himself at a crossroads. Hollywood’s relentless pace—red carpets, press junkets, and the constant scrutiny of social media—had taken its toll. “Peace is power — not publicity,” Cavill shared in a candid moment, a mantra that has guided his off-screen life.

It was during this period of uncertainty that he turned to an old passion: Warhammer 40,000, the grimdark tabletop wargame universe created by Games Workshop.

Cavill has been an avid fan since his teenage years, often speaking glowingly about the hobby in interviews. “For 30 years I have dreamt of seeing a Warhammer universe in live action,” he posted on Instagram in December 2022, hinting at his deep-rooted love for the franchise.

What started as a casual escape evolved into an intense 48-hour immersion. Holed up in his home, surrounded by paints, brushes, and meticulously assembled miniatures, Cavill lost himself in the intricate world of Space Marines, Orks, and the ever-present threat of Chaos.

He described the experience as therapeutic: “There’s the painting and modeling side of the hobby, and then there’s the gaming side,” he explained in a 2024 TikTok clip.

For those two days, the actor traded blockbuster scripts for rulebooks, superhero capes for armored figurines. “It was just me, a desk lamp, and my army of tiny plastic warriors,” Cavill recounted. “No distractions, no deadlines—just pure focus and creativity.”

This retreat wasn’t just a hobbyist indulgence; it became a lifeline. Amid the “Hollywood chaos,” as Cavill calls it, Warhammer provided a structured chaos of its own—one he could control. Painting intricate details on models required patience and precision, qualities that mirrored the discipline he brings to his roles.

Gaming sessions, even solo, offered strategic depth that sharpened his mind. “I’m still the gamer kid at heart,” he admitted with a smile in a recent Esquire interview. Emerging from that weekend, Cavill felt renewed. “It helped me find peace,” he said. “In a world where everything feels out of your hands, building your own empire—even a miniature one—reminds you of what’s truly important.”

But the story doesn’t end with personal solace. That 48-hour Warhammer marathon ignited a spark that would redefine his career. Inspired by his passion, Cavill pursued a long-held dream: bringing Warhammer 40k to the screen.

In December 2022, he announced a partnership with Amazon Studios and Games Workshop to develop a live-action adaptation, with Cavill not only starring but also serving as executive producer. “This is my greatest privilege,” he enthused in a 2024 interview. By 2025, updates trickled in—Cavill described the project as “very tricky” due to the lore’s complexity but one he’s “enjoying enormously.” He broke his silence on details, hinting at a faithful adaptation that honors the source material, much like he advocated for in The Witcher.

This new venture represents a bold pivot. No longer tethered to studio whims, Cavill is steering his own ship. The Warhammer project could launch a cinematic universe rivaling Marvel or DC, with Cavill at its helm—potentially as Eisenhorn or another key character.

It’s a testament to how personal passions can fuel professional reinvention. Critics who once pondered if his career was “rapidly failing” after the Superman and Witcher exits now see a star charting his own course.

Beyond Warhammer, Cavill’s gamer identity shines through in other ways. He’s a PC-building enthusiast, often sharing builds on social media, and has voiced interest in more geek-centric roles. His appearance on shows like Netflix’s Geeked with Felicia Day, where he geeked out over Warhammer, endeared him further to fans. In a 2025 Instagram reel, he discussed how geek culture, including Warhammer, has shaped his worldview.

As Hollywood continues its tumultuous evolution, Henry Cavill stands as a beacon for authenticity. From the ashes of studio breakups rose a man reaffirmed in his roots. That 48-hour Warhammer session wasn’t just an escape—it was a rebirth. “I’m still the gamer kid,” Cavill declares, and with his new mission underway, the world is eager to see what empires he’ll build next.