‘House of the Dragon’ Star Harry Collett...
‘James Gunn, Please’: ‘House of the Dragon’ Star Harry Collett Openly Campaigns for DCU Nightwing Role
LOS ANGELES — The race to secure one of the most coveted superhero roles in James Gunn’s newly forged DC Universe has officially intensified, as House of the Dragon breakout star Harry Collett made a direct, public appeal to the studio boss to cast him as the iconic acrobat-turned-vigilante Nightwing.
The 21-year-old British actor, who commands global attention as Prince Jacaerys "Jace" Velaryon in HBO's sprawling fantasy epic, addressed the massive wave of internet "fancasting" that has positioned him as a frontrunner to play Dick Grayson.
Speaking exclusively to ComicBook on Friday 12th June, Collett confessed that whilst he was initially unfamiliar with the intricate comic book lore of Batman's original protégé, the overwhelming passion of DC fans has thoroughly convinced him to throw his hat into the ring. His closing message to the DC Studios co-CEO was remarkably succinct: “James Gunn, please.”
The Digital Campaign for Dick Grayson
The online movement championing Collett for the protector of Blüdhaven has been simmering across Reddit, X, and TikTok for months, largely driven by the striking physical and thematic parallels between his Westerosi prince and DC's premier acrobat.
Collett's performance as Jace, characterised by a signature floppy dark curtain haircut, a fiercely protective sense of duty, a lean, athletic physique, and an underlying burden of living in a monumental father figure's shadow, strongly mirrors the classic comic book depiction of Dick Grayson.
When asked about the viral casting concepts, Collett revealed that his social media feeds have been entirely hijacked by enthusiastic comic book purists:
“People have been DMing me saying… I mean, I’m not familiar with the character yet… with Nightwing in DC,” Collett admitted candidly.
However, after reporters briefed the actor on Nightwing’s background—highlighting his trajectory from the trauma of the Boy Wonder to an independent, highly lethal, and charismatic street-level hero—Collett’s demeanor shifted to pure enthusiasm. Hearing that fans viewed him as the definitive live-action translation of the hero, he immediately looked into the camera to deliver his pitch directly to the studio executives.
The Battle for 'The Brave and the Bold'
The frantic scramble among Hollywood’s elite young actors comes as DC Studios rapidly moves its flagship Batman property, The Brave and the Bold, through active development. Directed by Andy Muschietti (The Flash, It), the cinematic project will officially introduce the DCU's core Dark Knight alongside his biological son, the volatile and deadly child assassin Damian Wayne (Robin).
Gunn has explicitly confirmed that the film will feature a well-established, expansive "Bat-family," meaning that older legacy sidekicks like Dick Grayson are firmly woven into the universe's pre-existing history.
Crucially, the age gap between the characters perfectly aligns with Collett’s real-world profile. With Gunn previously stating that the DCU's core characters will be cast in ranges that allow them to grow across a ten-year multi-media plan, the 21-year-old actor finds himself in the absolute sweet spot to portray a young adult Grayson transitioning out of Batman's shadow.
The Architectural Landscape of the DCU Bat-Family
| Superhero Persona | Civilian Identity | Narrative Status in Gunn Era | Top Industry Fancasting Contenders |
| The Batman | Bruce Wayne | Mainline Universe Anchor (Mid-30s) | Alan Ritchson / Jensen Ackles / Aaron Taylor-Johnson |
| Nightwing | Dick Grayson | Established Veteran / Solo Vigilante | Harry Collett / Asher Angel / Louis Partridge |
| Robin | Damian Wayne | Biological Son / Active Sidekick | Unknown Child Actor (Slated for 11–14 age bracket) |
| Supergirl | Kara Zor-El | Overlapping Shared Universe Ally | Milly Alcock (House of the Dragon Alum) |
The Westeros-To-Gotham Pipeline
Should Gunn ultimately call Collett in for a screen test, it would mark the second time DC Studios has aggressively raided the casting directories of House of the Dragon to anchor its cinematic universe.
In early 2024, Gunn shocked the entertainment industry by casting Australian actress Milly Alcock, who played the young Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen alongside Collett—as the titular lead in the blockbuster sci-fi epic Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, which is currently driving the front-line marketing push for the studio.
The pre-existing professional chemistry and shared high-fantasy pedigree between Alcock and Collett could offer a powerful tactical advantage. In the comic books, Nightwing and Supergirl share a deeply affectionate, decades-long dynamic rooted in mutual respect as the secondary generational leaders of the Justice League universe. Bringing that House of the Dragon familiarity into the DCU would provide instant, organic emotional depth for audiences.
The Verdict
Harry Collett’s public overture is an incredibly savvy play. James Gunn is famously one of the most digitally active filmmakers in modern Hollywood, known for building his casting sheets by listening intently to fan engagement and seeking out actors who display genuine, unpretentious passion for the source material. Collett possesses the exact blend of dramatic gravitas, youthful athleticism, and international television visibility that DC Studios requires. By issuing a direct, playful public plea, the young prince of Dragonstone may have just taken his first definitive step toward trading his Valyrian steel for a pair of eskrima sticks.
