Scarlett Johansson is currently in negotiations to grace the ensemble of "The Batman Part II," opposite the Caped Crusader played by Robert Pattinson. Directed by Matt Reeves, this DC Studios film is slated to commence shooting next spring, with a targeted October 2027 theatrical release by Warner Bros. The first installment of "The Batman," which premiered in March 2022, amassed a whopping $772 million worldwide at the box office. Reeves and co-writer Mattson Tomlin concluded the highly anticipated sequel's script in June, with sources close to the production hinting that Zoe Kravitz's Catwoman won't be returning for this new adventure.
"It's been a long journey, but I am beyond excited," Reeves shared with Variety at the Emmys in September, alluding to the meticulousness with which the "The Batman" team kept the story under wraps. "We stashed [the script] in a secret pouch with a lock and a code. [Robert Pattinson] was in New York at the time, and everything was kept under the highest security."
While details of Johansson's potential role remain under wraps, her addition to the franchise is yet another major deal for the actress, who recently starred in the box office behemoth "Jurassic World Rebirth" (which grossed over $800 million for Universal) and will be seen in the "The Exorcist" reboot. Johansson's move from Marvel Cinematic Universe (where she is a founding Avenger as Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow) to DC's pantheon of heroes signifies a striking shift across the comic book landscape.
As a two-time Oscar nominee, Johansson has also been busy outside of franchise IPs. She made her directorial debut with the drama "Eleanor the Great," which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and was released by Sony Pictures Classics. She'll next be seen starring in James Gray's "Paper Tiger." Represented by CAA and Yorn Levine LLC, Johansson's casting in "The Batman Part II" was first reported by Nexus Point News, with DC Studios remaining silent on the matter.
