‘Mortal Kombat’ Star Lewis Tan Dreams of Playing Nightwing in Live Action

Fan casting has become a beloved pastime for superhero movie enthusiasts, and Lewis Tan’s name frequently arises in discussions about Nightwing. The martial artist turned action star has established a career through physically demanding roles, and his ties to the DC universe date back long before James Gunn took the helm of the franchise.

Tan’s journey toward superhero fame is rooted in authenticity. With training in muay thai, kickboxing, karate, jujitsu, wrestling, and various weapon disciplines, he performs most of his own stunts, a philosophy inherited from his father, Philip Tan, a martial artist and stunt coordinator who contributed to Tim Burton’s 1989 ‘Batman.’

This familial connection to the world of the Caped Crusader has only intensified speculation about Tan eventually donning the Nightwing suit. In a recent interview, he expressed a genuine desire to portray Nightwing in live action, emphasizing that he would love to bring something unique to the role.

Tan’s interest in Nightwing isn’t a recent phenomenon. In 2018, he met with DC executives to discuss various potential projects, with Nightwing emerging as one of the possibilities during those talks, linked to a solo film that was in development under director Chris McKay before it was ultimately shelved.

In a recent conversation with ComicBook.com while promoting his film ‘Safe House,’ Tan addressed the ongoing fan support for his casting, expressing gratitude for the online fancasts. He described Nightwing as an incredible character and one he believes he could uniquely portray, while also mentioning Red Hood as another DC role he would be interested in exploring, envisioning a darker, more violent interpretation of that character.

James Gunn and Peter Safran’s revamped DC Universe officially launched in December 2024 with the animated series ‘Creature Commandos,’ followed by ‘Superman’ and ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2, with ‘Supergirl,’ ‘Lanterns,’ and ‘Clayface’ all set to debut this year. Although there has been no official confirmation of Nightwing’s inclusion, fans widely anticipate the character’s appearance in either ‘The Brave and the Bold’ or a future Teen Titans project.

Tan isn’t the only actor fans have considered for the role. Hudson Williams, recognized for his work on HBO’s ‘Heated Rivalry,’ has also shown interest in playing Dick Grayson, even receiving an endorsement from ‘Nightwing: Year One’ co-writer Scott Beatty.

With Tan’s involvement in the ‘Mortal Kombat’ franchise bolstering his credentials as an action star and his martial arts background aligning perfectly with the character’s comic book origins, it’s clear why fans continue to advocate for his casting. Whether DC Studios ultimately agrees remains uncertain, but Tan has made it clear that he is open to the opportunity.