Sebastian Stan is in talks to join the cast of The Batman: Part II, marking another high-profile addition from the Marvel Cinematic Universe to director Matt Reeves’ gritty Gotham saga. Deadline reports the negotiations, with Stan’s role remaining under wraps by DC Studios. This development follows Scarlett Johansson’s confirmed involvement in an undisclosed capacity.
Industry sources indicate that Stan, known for portraying Bucky Barnes across multiple MCU projects including Captain America: The First Avenger and the recent Thunderbolts*, could bring his experience with morally complex characters to Reeves’ grounded take on Batman. The actor has demonstrated range in roles like his Oscar-nominated performance as Donald Trump in The Apprentice and intense turns in Fresh and A Different Man. Speculation points to possibilities such as Harvey Dent, given Stan’s ability to embody handsome crusaders who face personal tragedy. An insider reveals that Reeves envisions a fresh antagonist for the sequel, one never fully explored in live-action before. Stan’s potential casting aligns with rumors of Harvey Dent and his father being sought for the ensemble.
Reeves’ film stars Robert Pattinson reprising his role as Bruce Wayne, alongside confirmed returns from Colin Farrell as Oz Cobb the Penguin, Andy Serkis, Jeffrey Wright, and possibly Barry Keoghan as The Joker. Johansson’s addition has fueled discussions of her as Gilda Dent, potentially pairing her with Stan in a power couple dynamic drawn from Batman lore like Dark Victory. Other theories include Stan as twin Maroni brothers or even a composite villain figure. Variety notes Keoghan’s expected reprise, adding to the sequel’s layered villainy. The script, co-written by Reeves and Mattson Tomlin, emphasizes Bruce Wayne’s personal journey over traditional foes.
Scheduled for theatrical release on October 1, 2027, The Batman: Part II continues to assemble name-brand talent amid patience from fans since the 2022 original’s strong reception. Unconfirmed rumors had previously linked A-listers like Brad Pitt and Oscar Isaac to key roles, now seemingly shifting toward Stan. DC Studios keeps details guarded, heightening anticipation for Reeves’ vision. According to industry sources, Stan’s leap from MCU to DC would join Johansson in bridging superhero universes. His versatility positions him well for Gotham’s dark underbelly, whether as district attorney Dent or another shadowy figure.