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Casting Rumors: Johansson Negotiating with Warner Bros.
Rumors are swirling that Scarlett Johansson is in talks with Warner Bros. to join The Batman – Part II. Production on the highly anticipated DC sequel has officially stepped into a serious pre-production phase, and sources close to Nexus Point News claim Johansson is being considered for a major role. While details remain tightly under wraps, insiders suggest she could play Bruce Wayne's new love interest, a casting move that would further elevate the film's star power.
Confirmed Returns and Key Creative Team
Matt Reeves is returning to direct, co-writing the screenplay with Mattson Tomlin, maintaining the gritty, noir-tinged tone that distinguished 2022's The Batman. Robert Pattinson is confirmed to reprise his role as Bruce Wayne/Batman, alongside Jeffrey Wright as Jim Gordon, Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth, and Colin Farrell as the Penguin. Zoe Kravitz is not expected to return as Selina Kyle/Catwoman, which helps explain why the search for a new female lead has intensified.
Filming is slated to begin in late April 2026 at Warner Bros. Leavesden Studios and continue through the autumn. The Batman – Part II is scheduled for release on October 1, 2027, giving the production ample time for the elaborate sets, stunts, and visual design fans expect from a DC tentpole.
Who Could Johansson Play?
Speculation centers on four possible comic-book figures: Andrea Beaumont (the Phantasm), Pamela Isley (Poison Ivy), Vicki Vale, or Julie Madison. Each choice would steer the narrative in a different direction:
- Andrea Beaumont / Phantasm: Introduced to many fans in the 1993 animated film Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, Andrea is a tragic love from Bruce's past who returns as a mysterious, masked vigilante. Casting Johansson here would deepen the emotional stakes and echo the noir, character-driven focus of Reeves' work.
- Poison Ivy: A classic Bat-rogue who debuted in Batman #181 (1966), Ivy is a botanist-turned-eco-terrorist with seductive and lethal powers. Johansson playing Ivy would likely tilt the sequel toward a more stylized, visual spectacle with ecological and psychological themes.
- Vicki Vale: The intrepid Gotham Gazette reporter and occasional Bruce Wayne love interest, Vicki has cinematic history stretching back to the 1949 and 1989 Batman films. Johansson could bring a modern, hard-edged spin to the investigative journalist archetype.
- Julie Madison: One of Bruce Wayne's earliest comic-book love interests (Detective Comics #31, 1939), Julie is a period-tinged choice that could be adapted into a contemporary storyline with emotional resonance.
Industry Context and What This Casting Could Mean
Big-name actors crossing between cinematic universes is an emerging trend—prestige performers are redefining the superhero genre by bringing dramatic heft to franchise films. Johansson, best known for her portrayal of Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, would mark a notable DC transition. Her résumé—ranging from Lost in Translation and Under the Skin to Jojo Rabbit and Marriage Story—shows she can handle both blockbuster action and nuanced character work, making any of the aforementioned roles plausible.
Critically, Reeves' first film was praised for its detective storytelling and atmospheric cinematography; the sequel has the chance to expand Gotham's scale while remaining intimate. Casting Johansson could reinforce that balance, offering star appeal without sacrificing the moody, character-driven core that made The Batman stand out from more conventional superhero fare.
Fan Reaction and Early Speculation
Fans have been dissecting the rumor on social media, with some celebrating the potential for a fresh Bruce Wayne romance and others wary of losing the grounded feel that defined the first film. Comic purists appear divided: some prefer Andrea Beaumont for her poignant ties to Bruce's past, while others want Poison Ivy for the clash of ideology and spectacle.
"Casting Johansson would signal a serious next chapter for Reeves' Batman," says film critic Anna Kovacs. "Her experience in both blockbuster and indie cinema could help bridge the film's emotional core with larger set-piece ambition. It would be a high-profile, deliberate choice for Warner Bros."
For now, take these reports as a developing story. With filming still months away and official announcements pending, Warner Bros. could pivot to different creative decisions at any time. Regardless, the combination of Matt Reeves' vision and a cast that mixes established returnees with potential new stars makes The Batman – Part II one of the most intriguing upcoming releases in the DC film slate.
If Johansson does sign on, expect a careful reveal of her character and likely teaser beats that connect to the detective threads and moral complexity Reeves established in the first film. Either way, the sequel promises to be a talking point for cinephiles who appreciate mood-driven superhero cinema and ambitious casting moves.
Comments
Armin
Could work, but feels overhyped. Johansson has range, yet I kinda wanted Kravitz back. Poison Ivy would be cool visually, Andrea would hit the feels. idk, fingers crossed
atomwave
wait Johansson to DC now? sounds wild, but is this even true… would she really leave MCU lore behind? curious how Reeves would handle Ivy vs Andrea, hope it's not just rumor
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