It looks like the Bat-Signal could finally shine bright across more than Gotham City this time around. Multiple sources, such as Variety and The Deadline in the entertainment industry, have reported Sebastian Stan to be in talks for a role in the cast for The Batman—Part II, directed by Matt Reeves and starring none other than longtime Marvel actress and frequent collaborator Scarlett Johansson.
Although neither DC Studios nor Reeves has made any statements about this casting choice, it has already brought about speculations from fans. Stan is soon to be involved in Reeves’ “Bat-Verse” series, featuring two major faces from the Marvel universe in this dark and gritty superhero world.
The Winter Soldier might be the White Knight of Gotham
Stan is strongly linked to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, insofar as he played the role of Bucky Barnes in a series of films spanning more than a decade. He is set to reappear in Avengers: Doomsday, due out in December 2026. The potential switch to DC, however, is more a matter of tone than a statement on his contracts—Reeves’ Gotham is far more concerned with the decay of the mind than the fate of the universe.
Although his part has not been publicly announced, rumors have continually named one individual: Harvey Dent. This rumor took hold amid rumors in December 2025 that Scarlett Johansson had been chosen to portray Gilda Gold, who, within the DC lore, marries the idealistic district attorney of Gotham. The addition of Stan to the cast as Harvey Dent would give Reeves the chance to examine the corrupt legal systems within Gotham by looking through the eyes of its “White Knight.”
This would also play off the existing chemistry the actors have with each other, particularly from the experience they had with Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Moving this dynamic to the world of Gotham, it would provide a natural basis for the tragic fate of Two-Face, should Reeves choose to incorporate the mythology surrounding the character.
The Batman—Part II is set to start filming in the spring of 2026 after a delay due to the 2023 strikes. Robert Pattinson will reprise his role as Bruce Wayne/Batman, while Barry Keoghan will also reprise the role of the Joker, having appeared briefly in the first installment.
Reeves has already teased the sequel as a continuation of his “epic crime saga.” It seems like adding Harvey Dent to the plot would be a part of this plan to portray a world where crime is not only perpetrated, but the institutions set up to fight it fall apart.
The potential casting of Stan, in combination with the casting of Johansson, is a sign of a shift in the world of superhero movies. An actor is no longer identified with a film studio but rather with the quality of the script. As a personal project, the character of Harvey Dent would allow Stan to explore the concept of duality, but this time in the gritty world of Gotham, instead of with super-soldiers and vibranium. If all goes through, The Batman—Part II would be more than a sequel to a film. It would be a declaration about where prestige superhero narratives are heading.
