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Marvel veteran Sebastian Stan may be heading to Gotham
Rumors are swirling that Sebastian Stan, best known to millions as Bucky Barnes, the Winter Soldier, is in talks to join the cast of The Batman Part II. According to a report from The Hollywood Reporter, Stan would appear alongside Scarlett Johansson, reuniting the two former MCU co stars in Matt Reeves' dark, stylistic vision of Gotham. Robert Pattinson is expected to return as Bruce Wayne and Reeves is directing again, with a screenplay co written by Matson Tomlin and Reeves. Filming is slated to begin in May, though DC Studios has not officially commented.
Stan is no stranger to tonal variety. His credits range from the gritty period pieces I, Tonya and The Apprentice to provocative TV like Pam & Tommy, and of course a decade plus arc in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His presence would mark another high profile MCU performer crossing into DC territory, following other actors who have navigated between big franchise worlds to pursue darker or more auteur driven projects.
What could Stan play in Gotham? Fans are already speculating. Given Reeves' tendency to focus on grounded, morally complex characters, Stan could slot into a role that emphasizes ambiguous loyalties or a bruised, haunted ally or antagonist. The casting also raises questions about how Reeves will expand his universe while keeping the noir tone audiences praised in the first film.
Beyond casting gossip, this development highlights a broader industry trend: blockbuster actors seeking prestige genre work outside their cinematic homes. Similar moves include Chris Evans taking on Knives Out and other indie fare, or Robert Downey Jr. finding space between franchises. For studios, these crossovers can boost mainstream attention and fan conversation, but they also invite scrutiny about continuity and tone.
Trivia for fans: Stan most recently appeared in Thunderbolts and is reportedly returning to the MCU for Avengers: Doomsday, scheduled for December. Reeves' previous Batman leaned into detective noir more than superhero spectacle, so any new additions to the cast will need to fit that particular aesthetic.
Expect more official word as production ramps up. For now, cinephiles can enjoy the idea of two former MCU co stars reuniting in Gotham city, and wonder how a Winter Soldier persona might translate into the shadows of Batman's world.
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