Scarlett Johansson Circles a Role In THE BATMAN: PART II as Zoë Kravitz’s Catwoman Bows Out
Scarlett Johansson may be stepping into Gotham City. Multiple outlets are reporting that the actor is in talks to join Matt Reeves’ upcoming sequel The Batman: Part II. This is a surprising little crossover moment since Johansson is already cemented in superhero history as Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Her time as Natasha Romanoff ended with Avengers: Endgame and the Black Widow prequel in 2021, and it now sounds like she could be jumping universes.
The possibility of Johansson joining The Batman: Part II first surfaced through Nexus Point News before being confirmed by Variety.
Variety notes that no character details are available, while Nexus Point News claims the role “may be a new love interest to Bruce Wayne.” That report also tosses out several “potential characters” Johansson might portray, listing Andrea Beaumont and the Phantasm, Pamela Isley or Poison Ivy, Vicki Vale, or Julie Madison. Since none of this is officially backed by Variety, it is smart to keep expectations in check.
Jeff Sneider is reporting, "She could very well be playing Bruce's new love interest, but I hear the role will ultimately be revealed as villainous in nature."
He added that, "[Johansson] has played the hero a lot [and] she's ready to break bad." He also confirmed that, despite speculation to the contrary, she will not be playing Poison Ivy.
Batman fans will recognize Andrea Beaumont from the animated classic Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, where she and Bruce Wayne shared a tragic love story that unraveled long before he ever suited up.
Vicki Vale remains one of Gotham’s most iconic journalists, memorably played by Kim Basinger in Tim Burton’s 1989 film. And Julie Madison holds deep roots in the comics as Bruce Wayne’s first love, a role Elle Macpherson briefly portrayed in Batman and Robin.
Also, according to the reports, Zoë Kravitz’s Selina Kyle will not return for the sequel. Her departure fits with her final scenes in The Batman, where she left Gotham behind, though fans were hoping she would cross paths with Robert Pattinson’s Dark Knight again.
As for the rest of the sequel, Colin Farrell will appear as Penguin, though only in a handful of scenes, and Matt Reeves is back to write and direct with Mattson Tomlin co-writing.
This chapter of Gotham is still entirely separate from the DCU being shaped by James Gunn and Peter Safran, maintaining its own darker continuity. Robert Pattinson will once again return to the cape and cowl.
The Batman: Part II arrives on October 1, 2027. Who would you like to see Johansson play in the film?