Could a Mortal Kombat star be trading fatalities for the fight against crime in the DC Universe? It seems Lewis Tan, known for his role in the Mortal Kombat films, has his sights set on a new superhero gig. He's expressed a keen interest in portraying either Nightwing or Red Hood in the upcoming DCU, sparking excitement among fans.
Tan, who plays Cole Young in the Mortal Kombat movies, shared his thoughts in an interview with ComicBook. He mentioned he's seen the fan castings for Nightwing and is very appreciative. He stated, "I love that character. That would be one of the characters I would want to play. Nightwing is an incredible character, that I could bring something unique to. I also like Red Hood. I think I could make a darker, more violent version of that one day. I love those characters."
Mortal Kombat II, the sequel to the 2021 film, is slated to hit theaters in the United States on May 8, 2026, under the direction of Simon McQuoid. The film will feature Karl Urban as Johnny Cage.
But here's where it gets interesting... While Tan's enthusiasm is clear, there's no official word yet on when, or even if, Nightwing or Red Hood will make their debut in the DCU. Given their connection to Batman, the most logical place for them to appear would be in Andy Muschietti’s The Brave and the Bold. This film is set to feature Damian Wayne as Robin.
And this is the part most people miss... In the DC Comics universe, Damian is the fifth Robin, following Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, and Stephanie Brown. This suggests that Dick and Jason have already been active in the DCU and may have already taken on their Nightwing and Red Hood identities. Furthermore, the city of Blüdhaven, Nightwing's usual stomping ground, was mentioned in Peacemaker Season 2.
However, it's important to remember that all of this is speculation at this point. The Brave and the Bold currently only confirms the presence of Batman and Damian Wayne. The DC Studios movie doesn't have a release date yet.
What do you think? Would Lewis Tan make a great Nightwing or Red Hood? Do you agree with the speculation about their potential roles in The Brave and the Bold? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
