While the current state of DC's Nightwing film is still up in the air, one actor is ready to take on the mantle.
Mena Massoud spoke to Screen Rant about the sequel to Aladdin and his aspirations to play a superhero. The actor is particularly keen to suit up as Dick Grayson's post-Robin vigilante. "I've been obsessed with Batman, but I think Batman's kind of... it's been done a lot now and it's been done by some fantastic actors," Massoud said. "I don't think I can top them in that way, but Nightwing just has a really interesting story [that] hasn't been done before, he’s a little bit younger. So yeah, he's a character I've just always been drawn to."
Though he's clearly eager to join the Bat-Family, Massoud would also just love the chance to play any hero in a Marvel or DC property. Thanks to playing the lead in Aladdin, he's certainly got a connection with Disney. But first, the actor thinks he might need to bulk up a bit.
"I really would love to play a superhero in the DC or Marvel universe," Massoud said. "I want to play a superhero, so I got to look like a superhero. Maybe I got to get in shape like a superhero before I'm cast as one, but I think it's important to put things out there in the universe that you want to do and just really work really hard and smart towards them and... see what happens."
Back in 2017, The LEGO Batman Movie director Chris McKay was announced to be helming a Nightwing film. Since then, it's seemingly fallen off of the DC Films slate, but the director has said he's still keen to make it happen.
"I hope it’s still a reality. I hope that we still get to make that movie," McKay said earlier this year. "As far as I’m concerned, it’s not lost yet.
A recent rumor that a Red Hood movie is coming to HBO Max claimed the film would connect with Nightwing and feature the hero, the first real hint that it's moving forward in some time. But as far as anyone knows, an actor hasn't been cast in the part, so Massoud may yet get his wish.
Source: Screen Rant