10 Roles Scarlett Johansson Could Play in The Batman Part 2

Despite some challenges, development on this year’s film is moving forward. Matt Reeves recently submitted the script to DC Studios, and production is scheduled to begin filming in the spring. A change has also been made in the cinematography department: Greig Fraser will not be returning, and Erik Messerschmidt, an Oscar winner who often works with David Fincher, will be taking over the visual aspects of the sequel. While the exact direction of the film is still unknown, Reeves has hinted it will be another detective story that explores the deep-rooted corruption within Gotham City.

Filming for The Batman — Part II is starting soon, and casting news is picking up. While rumors suggest Zoë Kravitz (Catwoman) and Cristin Milioti (Sofia Falcone, from The Penguin series) might not return, there’s talk of Oscar Isaac potentially joining the cast. However, the most solid news points to a major star from the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Scarlett Johansson. Reports initially indicated she was in discussions for a role, and now Deadline has confirmed those talks. Johansson joining The Batman Epic Crime Saga is a significant development, and fans are already speculating about which character she might play.

Andrea Beaumont / The Phantasm is an Underrated Foe

Many fans consider Batman: Mark of the Phantasm to be a hidden gem in the Batman film series. The movie revolves around the enigmatic Phantasm, a character originally created for the 1993 animated film and inspired by the comic book villain, The Reaper. Like The Riddler in The Batman, Phantasm targets and eliminates important people in Gotham City.

The film later shows that the Phantasm is actually Andrea Beaumont, Bruce Wayne’s former love. Johansson would convincingly portray this character, who is driven by revenge and has a deep connection to Bruce’s history. Casting her as the sequel’s villain would be a daring choice for Reeves, but the character has become increasingly prominent in the comics since her initial appearance.

Julie Madison Was One of Bruce Wayne’s First Love Interests

Bruce Wayne has dated several women in comic books, not just Catwoman (Selina Kyle) and Talia Al Ghul. The director could choose Scarlett Johansson to play Julie Madison, one of his other love interests.

Madison was once engaged to Bruce Wayne in the comic books, and this relationship could be explored in Matt Reeves’ upcoming Batman sequel. She also recently appeared in Caped Crusader, an animated series Reeves helped develop.

Dr. Leslie Thompkins is a Mother Figure to Bruce Wayne

While characters like Alfred Pennyworth and Lucius Fox have appeared in Batman movies, there’s one important supporting character that hasn’t been fully explored on screen yet.

Dr. Leslie Thompkins has been an important figure in Bruce Wayne’s life, but her story hasn’t been fully told in the movies. Though she’s usually depicted as an older woman, the filmmaker might choose to portray her differently or show her through scenes from the past.

Detective Sarah Essen Was Also Gordon’s Second Wife

Johansson might also be a good fit for a role within the Gotham City Police Department, potentially as Sarah Essen. While The Batman included several compelling GCPD characters, it notably lacked any significant female representation within the department.

Choosing Johansson to play Essen would be a departure from how the character has been portrayed in previous Batman movies. The comics establish a connection between Essen and James Gordon, which could create compelling drama on screen. Alternatively, Reeves could reimagine the character entirely, using the name but developing a completely new backstory and role.

Vicki Vale is a Reporter and Another of Wayne’s Romances

Vicki Vale is a significant love interest for Bruce Wayne in the comics, and Kim Basinger famously portrayed her in Tim Burton’s original Batman movie. She hasn’t appeared in a Batman film since, making Matt Reeves’ current movie a good opportunity to bring the character back.

Giving Vicki Vale a significant part in the next The Batman movie could bring a fresh perspective, perhaps showing her as a prominent figure in Gotham’s elite or as an investigative journalist. With Scarlett Johansson playing the role, Reeves could also move away from the typical ‘damsel in distress’ trope and create a Vale who actively helps Batman solve a new mystery.

Helena Bertinelli / Huntress is Another Gotham Knight

The recent film The Batman presented a realistic take on Gotham City with several characters in costume, including the popular Catwoman. Now that rumors suggest Selina Kyle won’t be in the next movie, director Matt Reeves might introduce a new vigilante. Huntress, whose real name is Helena Bertinelli, has a strong connection to Gotham’s criminal underworld through her family, which would fit well with the film’s focus on crime.

Huntress recently appeared in the Birds of Prey movie, portrayed by Mary Elizabeth Winstead. However, in the upcoming The Batman — Part II, Scarlett Johansson is potentially taking on the role, which could be quite different. While some versions of the Huntress character depict her as the daughter of Batman and Catwoman, that storyline wouldn’t fit well with this new film’s direction.

Martha Wayne’s Backstory Could Still Play a Big Role

The recent Batman film smartly skipped repeating Bruce Wayne’s origin story, though his parents were still central to the plot. While it’s known that Thomas Wayne ran for mayor before his death, the sequel could reveal even more about the Wayne family. In this film, The Riddler shocked Gotham by revealing that Martha Wayne battled mental health issues and was a patient at Arkham State Hospital and Gotham Asylum after her own mother committed murder. It was also revealed that Martha Wayne was part of the influential Arkham family, who concealed the original crime until Edward Elliot uncovered the truth.

When Elliot threatened to expose a scandal involving Martha Wayne and her family during Thomas Wayne’s mayoral campaign, Bruce’s father, Thomas, hired Carmine Falcone to silence him. Elliot was killed, and the truth remained hidden until The Riddler brought it to light years later. While Martha’s history was briefly touched upon in The Batman, the sequel might explore it more deeply. Actress Scarlett Johansson is reportedly replacing Stella Stocker to portray Martha in additional flashback scenes.

Scarlett Johansson Could Potentially Play An Original Character

Although Reeves has many existing comic book characters to choose from, he might also create a brand new role for Johansson. He’s proven he can do this – he invented the character of Bella Réal, who’s now Gotham’s mayor – and Johansson could similarly play a politician or a completely different type of character in the next film.

In Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Trilogy, Rachel Dawes was a key character and Bruce Wayne’s love interest, created specifically for the films. While Scarlett Johansson is famous for playing Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, giving her a completely original role would allow her to develop a character without being tied to existing storylines or comic book source material.

Silver St. Cloud Has Rarely Been Adapted Outside of the Comics

Although several romantic interests have been featured in Batman movies, Silver St. Cloud, a notable character from the comics, hasn’t appeared in them yet. First appearing in the 1970s, she’s known for being one of the few people to learn Batman’s secret identity.

In the next Batman film, the director has a great opportunity to develop Selina Kyle’s character further, perhaps by revealing her to be secretly working against Batman for a criminal organization, or in some other unexpected way.

Pamela Isley / Poison Ivy is One of Batman’s Best Rogues

Poison Ivy is one of Batman’s most famous female villains, alongside Catwoman and Harley Quinn. She last appeared in the movie Batman & Robin, played by Uma Thurman. While fans often talk about bringing back Mr. Freeze, who was also in that film, Poison Ivy has just as much potential for a modern reimagining.

If Matt Reeves were to include Poison Ivy in his Batman universe, she’d probably be a much more realistic character than previous versions, like the one in Batman & Robin or the plant-controlling depictions from the comics. Perhaps she’d be an activist worried about the environmental consequences shown in The Batman. While it would be an unexpected move, Poison Ivy could be a great addition to Reeves’ Gotham, as long as the character stays true to her roots.

2025-12-04 19:18