James Gunn Wants An Indian Actor In His DC Universe - Here's Who They Could Play

Anushree Arora
From the Bandra-Worli Sea Link getting lit up with Superman’s S shield to Warner Bros. releasing a two-minute long Indian version of the theme song, India is hyped and ready for the new Superman. Marking the beginning of James Gunn’s DCU, Superman sets the stage for a bold new era of superheroes. An era that could possibly also introduce a desi DC hero?
Amidst ongoing promotions for his upcoming films, James Gunn recently expressed interest in including an Indian actor in the DC Universe. “I would love to see an Indian actor be a part of the global superhero universe, but I would also love to have Indian filmmaking collaborators. We, at DC Studios, think that there are heroes all over this world that we could focus on, and filmmakers from all over the world that can tell their stories within the DC Universe.” After the viral success of Indian Spider-Man Pavitr Prabhakar in Across the Spider-Verse, it’s no surprise that DC is now looking to tap into that same desi magic. With that in mind, here are 10 superheroes and villains that could be perfectly played by Indian actors, along with our dream casting picks. Some are canonically Indian, while others could easily be reimagined to reflect Indian heritage in future DC films.
10. Nightwing
Dream Casting: Ishaan Khatter
One of DC’s most beloved, layered, and consistently fan-favourite characters, Dick Grayson was a circus acrobat and the youngest member of the Flying Graysons, who tragically lost his family during a sabotaged performance. Bruce Wayne, seeing a reflection of himself in the orphaned boy, adopted him and trained him to become the first Robin, his sidekick. Eventually, Grayson sought out his own path, taking on the superhero identity of Nightwing, inspired by a Kryptonian legend told to him by Superman.
Dick Grayson has appeared in Titans, Batman Forever, Teen Titans, and several other animated and live-action DC films and TV shows almost always as a white character of European descent. However, his ethnicity has never been central to his character arc, making him a strong contender for more inclusive, diverse casting in future adaptations, including James Gunn’s upcoming The Brave and the Bold. If Gunn is looking for a desi star with global appeal, Ishaan Khatter is a top pick for an Indian Nightwing.
9. Amethyst
Dream Casting: Banita Sandhu
One of DC’s lesser-known but visually striking and magic-driven characters, Amy is just an ordinary girl until her 13th birthday, when she discovers her true magical origins. After returning to Gemworld, Amy learns to harness her powers and transforms into Amethyst, the rightful heir to the House of Amethyst. Introduced in the 1983 comic Princess of Gemworld, she’s a warrior princess who can draw power from gemstones, manipulate magic, create powerful force fields, and even transfigure her age.
With India’s deep-rooted history and royal culture, an Indian Amethyst offers rich world-building potential. With her striking screen presence and global appeal, British-Indian actress Banita Sandhu would be a perfect fit for the role.
8. Reverse-Flash
Dream Casting: Ranveer Singh
Reverse-Flash is one of DC’s most cruelly calculative and emotionally manipulative villains. Eobard Thawne, a 25th-century scientist, becomes obsessed with The Flash and desperately tries to recreate his powers. But when he travels back in time and discovers that he’s destined to become Flash’s greatest enemy, his admiration curdles into hatred, leading him to become Reverse-Flash, a faster, darker, and more strategic version of the hero.
His most famous portrayal is in the CW’s beloved series The Flash, where he was played by both Tom Cavanagh and Matt Letscher. Reverse-Flash isn’t like any other villain. His entire arc is fuelled by obsession, betrayal, and a deeply personal vendetta. Indian cinema, especially Bollywood, has long embraced emotionally high-strung and revenge-driven characters. Ranveer Singh, with his chaotic energy, would be a compelling choice for the role.
7. Talia al Ghul
Dream Casting: Deepika Padukone
One of DC’s most fascinating and morally complex characters, Talia al Ghul is the daughter of the eco-terrorist Ra’s al Ghul, leader of the League of Assassins. She often walks the line between anti-hero and villain, torn between her father’s vision for a “better” world and her own complicated feelings for Bruce Wayne. Though they’re frequently on opposite sides of the fight, Talia and Bruce share a long-standing, on-again, off-again relationship that eventually leads to the birth of their son, Damian Wayne.
Talia isn’t just an assassin, she’s one of Bruce Wayne’s most prominent love interests, a mother, and a highly strategic leader. She was portrayed in The Dark Knight Rises by French actress Marion Cotillard, but traditionally, both Talia and her father have been portrayed with vaguely Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Central Asian influences in the comics. Given these fluid origins, it feels natural to centre her background in South Asian culture. Strong, graceful, and sophisticated, Talia would be an ideal role for a seasoned actress like Deepika Padukone, who has the intensity and physical grace for action-heavy roles and has demonstrated her skill at playing morally conflicted characters in films like Padmaavat.
6. Ra’s al Ghul
Dream Casting: Naseeruddin Shah
One of Batman’s most enduring and dangerous foes, Ra’s al Ghul, is a centuries old eco-terrorist, philosopher, and strategist obsessed with cleansing the Earth through destruction to save it from human corruption. In Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins and The Dark Knight Rises, this role is played by Liam Neeson, with Ra’s al Ghul’s real identity being Henri Ducard, a European mentor figure secretly leading a league of assassins. However, in comics his ethnicity has always been kept ambiguous.
His robes, temples, and League training grounds already resemble Indo-Persian settings, and the concept of reincarnation, karma, and ancient warrior clans fit seamlessly into the Indian mythology. The Lazarus Pit could easily be reimagined as an ancient vedic or Himalayan site. A South Asian Ra’s would add authentic depth and richness to the character, especially if Talia is also cast as South Asian. While the late actor Amrish Puri, with his iconic villainous flair as as Mogambo in Mr. India and Mola Ram in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom would have been perfect for the role; we'd still kill to see Naseeruddin Shah take on the mantle of Ra’s al Ghul.
5. Doctor Mist
Dream Casting: Rajkummar Rao or Anupam Kher
A lesser-known but intriguing DC character, Doctor Mist is a powerful, ancient, and immortal sorcerer who draws his strength from mystical and elemental sources. Though not a mainstream hero, he has assisted Superman, Wonder Woman, and Zatanna, and has been a member of groups like the Global Guardians and Shadowpact.
In the comics, he originates from South Africa, but his character could easily be reimagined with Indian roots, especially given the subcontinent’s deep ties to magic, spirituality, and mysticism. Since Doctor Mist is ageless, DC could cast a younger actor like Rajkummar Rao for a fresh, dynamic take, or a seasoned actor like Anupam Kher to embody a wise, otherworldly mentor figure.
4. Maya
Dream Casting: Simone Ashley
Chandi Gupta also known as Maya is an Indian superhero who joined the Justice League in Europe after escaping from an Indian cult that forced her to oppress her powers. Her powers are deeply tied to Hindu mythology. She can manipulate water to form constructs from it. She can also summon fire arrows, reminiscent of Lord Rama.
With her brown skin, long dark hair, and Indian jewellery, she stands out as one of the truly authentic Indian superheroes. Originally a part of Justice League Europe, she’d slot naturally into James Gunn’s DCU in a global or international version of Justice League. Simone Ashley, the breakout star from Bridgerton Season 2, would fit naturally into the role.
3. Solstice
Dream Casting: Maitreyi Ramakrishnan or Banita Sandhu
Relatively new but nonetheless a powerful addition to the DC universe, Kiran Singh, aka Solstice, is an Indian teenage superhero raised by two archaeologists. First introduced in Teen Titans Vol. 3 #1 (2011), Solstice has the ability to project high-energy blasts, fly with ease, and hold her own in hand-to-hand combat.
She’s yet to make her on-screen debut, but we’re definitely campaigning for it, because unlike many DC superheroes with darker, edgier pasts, Solstice radiates optimism. She proudly embraces her culture and identity without falling into tired stereotypes. We’d love to see someone like Maitreyi Ramakrishnan bring this glowing cosmic powerhouse to life, or Banita Sandhu if DC chooses to stay true to Solstice’s Punjabi descent.
2. Celsius
Dream Casting: Priyanka Chopra Jonas
Celsius is the superhero alias of Arani Desai, one of the first superheroes of Indian origin in American comics. Introduced as the widow of Niles Caulder, she joins the Doom Patrol and eventually works her way up to leading the team.
She’s cool, calm, and controlled, often serving as the voice of reason in the otherwise chaotically run Doom Patrol. Her superpower is thermokinesis, the ability to generate extreme heat from one hand and extreme cold from the other. She’s one of the most underrated superheroes in the DC Universe, and fans would be excited to see her make her on-screen debut, especially given her roots as one of the earliest Indian superheroes. It would be exciting to see someone like Priyanka Chopra Jonas take on the role.
1. Aruna Shende
Dream Casting: Dr Trinetra Haldar
If we had to put our bets on one Indian DC character to break into the mainstream, it would be Aruna Shende. She’s a shape-shifting vigilante with a mysterious past and a background in Bollywood, making her both glamorous and elusive. Making her first appearance in Batgirl Annual #1 (2001), she teams up with Batgirl to rescue missing children and take down criminals. She’s one of very few intersex superhero characters in mainstream American comics, represents a non-combatant type of hero, and has strong ties to the South Asian community. At a time when superhero fatigue is real and global audiences are craving a fresh perspective, Aruna offers something truly original. And if we’re fan casting? Dr Trinetra Haldar would be a pitch-perfect choice for the role.
Where To Watch These DC Heroes Online
To discover more about TV shows and movies currently streaming in India, check out the JustWatch streaming guide! You can filter your search by streaming service, genre, price, age rating, and score. Be sure to build your watchlist and receive helpful notifications on what to watch next based on your preferences!