Scarlett Johansson is reportedly being considered for a significant part in The Batman — Part II, adding a new layer of intrigue to the upcoming sequel. The potential involvement of Johansson, known for her decade-long portrayal of Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has fueled speculation about which iconic character she could bring to life in Matt Reeves’ evolving Gotham saga, with fans and insiders analyzing possible roles connected to the core of the Scarlett Johansson Batman Part II rumors.
This casting development would place Johansson alongside a cast featuring Robert Pattinson, Paul Dano, Zoë Kravitz, and Colin Farrell. With no official information about the exact character, conversations among fans and industry observers have centered on whether Johansson will portray a prominent villain, a new love interest for Bruce Wayne, or possibly an original figure unique to the film. Given Matt Reeves’ previous choices for established, complex characters, and Johansson’s status as a high-caliber actress, attention has turned to the most noteworthy players from Batman’s comic book legacy who could fit into the dark, grounded world of this franchise.
Possible Characters for Johansson in Batman Part II
Though Warner Bros. has not revealed the specific role Scarlett Johansson might be taking, industry speculation has identified six prominent candidates from Batman’s extensive mythology. These roles span infamous villains and overlooked allies, each bringing their own narrative possibilities and emotional complexity to the sequel.
6. Poison Ivy: Gotham’s Botanical Menace
Poison Ivy, or Dr. Pamela Isley, first appeared in Batman #181 in 1966, a creation of Robert Kanigher, Carmine Infantino, and Sheldon Moldoff. She is a botanist who transforms into an eco-terrorist, wielding the power to manipulate plant life and produce dangerous toxins. While her powers are more fantastical and perhaps at odds with Matt Reeves’ realistic vision, Poison Ivy remains a core adversary and occasional antihero in the comics.
Poison Ivy’s last film appearance was in 1997’s Batman & Robin, played by Uma Thurman. For many fans, the stigma of that portrayal lingered, but there has been consistent demand for Ivy to return in a modern, reimagined form. The Penguin series’ introduction of an experimental mushroom-based drug sparked theories that Dr. Isley could be behind such developments, making Johansson’s casting as a grounded, toxin-wielding Poison Ivy a plausible route. Such a narrative would offer room for a different, less supernaturally inclined version of Ivy, fitting more naturally within Reeves’ Gotham. If chosen, Johansson could revitalize the character’s reputation and introduce a formidable new presence to Batman’s rogues’ gallery.
5. Nora Fries / Mrs. Freeze: Heart of Ice Thaws
Nora Fries is most widely recognized as the tragic wife of Mr. Freeze, first appearing in Batman: The Animated Series episode “Heart of Ice” (1992, by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm), and later becoming a villain in her own right, Mrs. Freeze, through more recent comic arcs developed by Peter J. Tomasi and Doug Mahnke. Traditionally, Nora is placed in suspended animation by her scientist husband to save her life, a decision that drives his transformation into the villainous Mr. Freeze.
Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Freeze to Reeves’ Gotham could present an unconventional twist—perhaps even casting Johansson as a more active Nora who partners with her husband as a criminal duo. The grounded approach could emphasize cold-based technology rather than superpowers, aligning with the tone already established in The Batman. Johansson’s participation in this role would allow the story to explore both tragedy and agency, placing her character at the center of emotional and criminal turmoil, whether as a supporting figure in Victor Fries’ descent or as a formidable antagonist with her own agenda.
4. Dr. Leslie Thompkins: Gotham’s Unsung Healer
First debuting in Detective Comics #457 in 1976 (created by Dennis O’Neil and Dick Giordano), Dr. Leslie Thompkins is a recurring ally of Batman. Known as a compassionate physician, she has frequently filled the dual role of caretaker and moral guide, even acting as a surrogate mother to Bruce Wayne after the loss of his parents.
With Gotham left devastated by flooding at the end of The Batman, the stage is set for first responders and aid workers to play a crucial part in the sequel’s narrative. Thompkins could serve as a much-needed confidant and medical advisor to Bruce Wayne, supporting him in ways that Alfred Pennyworth alone cannot. Johansson’s nuanced performances might lend fresh depth to a character who offers hope and healing amidst Gotham’s persistent darkness. While the comics often portray Thompkins as older, past adaptations have reimagined her as a contemporary of Bruce, providing room for greater creative interpretation by Matt Reeves and Johansson alike.
3. Vicki Vale: The Investigative Reporter Returns
Vicki Vale, first seen in Batman #49 (1948, created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane, and Lew Schwartz), is best remembered from Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman, where Kim Basinger brought her to life as Bruce Wayne’s love interest. Despite her status as a minor figure compared to the likes of Catwoman or Talia al Ghul, Vale could be revitalized in The Batman — Part II as a key figure in the unfolding mystery.
Her background as a relentless reporter would mesh seamlessly with the investigative tone established by Reeves. Pulled into Gotham’s conspiracies and possibly crossing paths with Robert Pattinson’s Batman on parallel investigations, Vale would allow Johansson to embody both a romantic lead and a vital agent of discovery in the narrative. After decades away from the big screen, reintroducing Vicki Vale with a well-known actress would signal a renewed focus on Batman’s personal and professional entanglements, expanding the ensemble with a character who bridges the city’s secrets and the Dark Knight’s vulnerabilities.
2. Silver St. Cloud: Gotham’s Elusive Socialite
Silver St. Cloud first entered Batman’s world in Detective Comics #470 (1977, by Steve Englehart and Walt Simonson). Although her live-action presence has been limited—most recently portrayed by Natalie Alyn Lind in Gotham—she remains an intriguing romantic possibility for Bruce Wayne, known for her place among the city’s social elite and for her deep emotional impact on Bruce.
Silver’s storyline, in which she uncovers and ultimately retreats from Bruce’s secret life as Batman, could add significant emotional weight to the sequel. The rumored involvement of the Court of Owls, a shadowy organization comprised of Gotham’s most powerful citizens, opens the door for Silver’s connection to the upper echelons of the city’s society. Johansson portraying Silver St. Cloud would create dramatic opportunities—either as a trustworthy ally in Bruce’s battle against corruption, or, in a darker twist, as someone whose loyalties are compromised, adding betrayal and heartbreak to the film’s conflicts.
1. Andrea Beaumont / The Phantasm: Batman’s Dark Reflection
The enigmatic Andrea Beaumont was introduced in Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993, created by Alan Burnett, Paul Dini, and Bruce Timm) and quickly became one of Bruce Wayne’s most influential love interests. As Bruce’s former fiancée, Andrea’s tragic history—fleeing Gotham due to her father’s criminal entanglements, then returning to avenge his death as the mysterious vigilante, Phantasm—makes her both a romantic and an adversarial figure.
Andrea and her Phantasm persona represent not only lost love but also what Batman could become if consumed by vengeance. This role is particularly suited for an actor of Johansson’s range, offering a duality as both a catalyst for Bruce’s transformation and as a formidable foe challenging his moral boundaries. The visuals and psychological intensity of the Phantasm would fit Reeves’ Gotham perfectly. The main challenge would be crafting a new, distinct narrative that honors the original story while exploring fresh directions, and Johansson’s involvement would undoubtedly bring both attention and gravitas to the film.
The Cast of Batman Part II: Returning Talent and New Faces
Should Scarlett Johansson join the project, she would work with a talented ensemble that includes Robert Pattinson as Batman/Bruce Wayne, Colin Farrell as Oz Cobb, Jeffrey Wright as James Gordon, and Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth. These actors have already cemented their roles in the previous installment, contributing to the noir-infused atmosphere and emotional complexity that defines Matt Reeves’ approach.
The director’s preference for acclaimed performers is evident in these casting choices, and Johansson’s addition would continue this trend, heightening both the expectations for the sequel and its ability to delve into deeper psychological and emotional territory for Bruce Wayne and those around him.
Looking Ahead: What Johansson’s Role Could Mean for Gotham
The potential casting of Scarlett Johansson in The Batman — Part II signals a commitment to ambitious storytelling and to extending the rich legacy of DC’s mythos, especially regarding the Scarlett Johansson Batman Part II anticipation. Whether Johansson assumes the mantle of a formidable villain, a lost love, or a complex ally, her presence will likely redefine the dynamic of Gotham’s criminal underworld and Bruce Wayne’s ongoing quest for justice.
This shift would not only draw significant attention from fans of both DC and the MCU, but may also impact the evolution of supporting and adversarial roles in future Batman films. With Matt Reeves at the helm and a high-caliber ensemble taking shape, The Batman — Part II is poised to explore new psychological depths and present fresh challenges for the hero at its center. Audiences will be eager to learn which role Johansson will ultimately inhabit, with each possibility offering fresh narrative directions and emotional stakes for the Dark Knight’s cinematic journey.
