In a massive inter-franchise casting development, two-time Oscar nominee Scarlett Johansson is reportedly in final negotiations to join the cast of director Matt Reeves’ highly anticipated sequel, The Batman Part II. The move would officially mark a transition for the actress famous globally as Marvel’s Black Widow to a major, currently undisclosed role opposite Robert Pattinson‘s Caped Crusader in the DC Universe.
The casting news arrived alongside the confirmation that Zoë Kravitz is not expected to reprise her role as Selina Kyle/Catwoman in the sequel, opening the door for a new dynamic in Bruce Wayne’s life. Sources suggest Johansson’s character will serve as a new love interest to Wayne, though it is heavily rumored the role will eventually be revealed as villainous in nature, echoing the noir themes of the first film.
Fan speculation is already running wild regarding her mystery character. Leading theories point to iconic figures like Andrea Beaumont (The Phantasm) a former love interest who becomes a masked vigilante or the wealthy socialite Silver St. Cloud. Others believe Johansson may be tapped to play a grounded version of the famous ecoterrorist, Poison Ivy, adapting the villain to fit Reeves’ realistic Gotham universe.
With the script penned by Reeves and co-writer Mattson Tomlin now complete, the film is set to begin production in Spring 2026 ahead of its scheduled October 1, 2027 theatrical release. The addition of an actress of Johansson’s caliber is a major coup for Warner Bros. and guarantees that The Batman Part II will be one of the most talked-about films in the coming years.
