The Gotham universe that Matt Reeves has created could add a very familiar face to superhero movie fans in the coming months. Sebastian stan is in advanced negotiations to join The Batman: Part II, the sequel to the 2022 film starring Robert Pattinson.
For now, Warner Bros. and DC Studios remain completely silent The role he might play has sparked speculation among Batman fans. Industry talk points to a key character in the Dark Knight's inner circle, but until he signs on, everything remains in the realm of rumor.
A high-profile jump from Marvel to DC
Stan is, at this point, one of the actors most closely associated with the Marvel Cinematic Universe Thanks to his long career as Bucky Barnes, the Winter Soldier. He debuted in 2011 with Captain America: The First Avenger and since then has appeared in numerous films and series, including his role in Thunderbolts* and his planned return in Avengers: Doomsday.
His potential casting in Reeves' sequel would add to a An increasingly common trend of actors jumping from Marvel to DC and vice versa. Cases like Ryan Reynolds, Ben Affleck, Halle Berry, Nicholas Hoult, or James Gunn himself demonstrate that the boundaries between both cinematic universes are quite porous.
On a purely interpretive level, Stan He is entering this negotiation at one of the best times. of his career. His work in The Apprentice, playing Donald Trump, has earned him an Oscar nomination and has reinforced his image as a versatile actor, capable of moving with ease in both major franchises and more auteur-driven projects.
This combination of experience in blockbusters and a taste for complex characters It fits well with the dark, psychological, and noir-tinged Gotham that Matt Reeves established in The Batman. It seems no coincidence that the director and the studio have chosen him for a sequel that aims to delve even deeper into the moral dilemmas of its protagonists.
The mystery surrounding his character: all eyes on Harvey Dent
The secrecy surrounding Stan's possible role has not prevented Theories emerge with one name above the rest: Harvey DentVarious industry sources suggest that the actor could become the charismatic Gotham district attorney, destined in the comics to transform into the feared villain Two-Face.
Dent's character would fit with the type of story Reeves has shown so far: a Gotham plagued by institutional corruption, mafias, and ethical conflictsIntroducing the character before or during his fall to the darker side would allow us to explore that moral duality that Stan has already worked on with Bucky Barnes, a hero marked by trauma and manipulation.
Along with this option, another possible destination for the signing has also been mentioned: Jeremiah Arkham, head of the city's famous psychiatric asylumThis character would open up a different range, more linked to criminal psychology and the ecosystem of villains that populate the mythology of the Batman.
Meanwhile, the rumors surrounding the project have linked Scarlett Johansson with the role of GildaA character linked to Harvey Dent in the comics and with significant importance in stories like The Long Halloween. The combination of both elements would reinforce the idea that the sequel aims to delve into classic comic book storylines, adapted to Reeves' realistic style.
In any case, None of these possibilities have been confirmed by DC StudiosThe project managers are working under strict leak control, aware that much of the appeal of this saga lies in gradually revealing their particular version of Gotham.
A cast that mixes returning faces with new ones
While negotiations with Stan are being resolved, The Batman: Part II continues to assemble a high-profile castRobert Pattinson will reprise his role as Bruce Wayne, solidifying his most tormented and detective-like interpretation of the character, far removed from other recent incarnations.
In the confirmed returns section, Colin Farrell will once again step into the shoes of Oz Cobb, the PenguinFollowing the success of his physical transformation and the television spin-off centered on the character, Jeffrey Wright will reprise his role as James Gordon, now as commissioner, and Andy Serkis will return as Alfred Pennyworth, a key figure in the protagonist's emotional balance.
It is also expected that Barry Keoghan returns as the JokerAfter his brief but unsettling appearance in the first film, some reports add Paul Dano to the list of possible returns, although his presence is not yet as certain as that of the rest of Gotham's core cast.
The chapter on new signings doesn't end there. Scarlett Johansson is also in talks to join the sequel, which would represent another significant leap from Marvel to Reeves' universe. The actress's role remains as protected as Stan's, but her mere presence would help strengthen the project's weight within the DC Studios schedule.
Filming schedule and release date in 2027
On the industrial front, the production of The Batman: Part II Filming is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2026Barring any last-minute changes, Matt Reeves will return to direct and co-write the script with Mattson Tomlin, with a creative process that the director himself has described as long, meticulous, and closely monitored to prevent leaks.
The theatrical release is scheduled for 1th October 2027This date places the sequel more than five years after the release of the first installment in 2022. This is an unusual interval for a major superhero franchise, but defended by DC as the necessary time to consolidate an authorial vision and avoid saturation.
James Gunn, who heads DC Studios alongside Peter Safran, has insisted that They are not looking to churn out sequels at any cost or subject directors to impossible schedules.In recent statements, the creative director defended the deadlines set for projects like this, stressing that the public "doesn't have to feel entitled" to an annual release schedule.
Although the new DC Universe spearheaded by Gunn and Safran will feature its own version of Superman, Supergirl, and other key characters, Reeves' saga It remains a parallel label under the DC Studios umbrellaThis coexistence will allow the Gotham starring Pattinson to continue developing with some independence from the rest of the superheroic framework.
In the technical section, Erik Messerschmidt will take over as director of photography, replacing Greig Fraser.as Reeves himself confirmed on social media. Messerschmidt arrives with solid credentials after his work on titles like Mindhunter and The Killer, which points to a continuation of the visual polish and thriller atmosphere that defined the first film.
The Batman's box office success and the bar set by the sequel
The context in which this second part will land is significant. The first, The Batman It raised around $772 million worldwide, with nearly 370 million in the United States alone, becoming one of Warner Bros.' biggest hits in the post-pandemic era.
Beyond numbers, Reeves' proposal was well received by critics and the public For its raw, detective-like approach and less reliance on massive digital spectacle, the film featured a still-inexperienced Batman immersed in a police case with echoes of 1970s thrillers and film noir, something that set it apart from other recent adaptations.
This high bar explains partly the caution with which the team is approaching the development of The Batman: Part II. The stated goal is to broaden the scope of the story without losing the somber tone and the feeling of a sick city that characterized the first installment. The casting of actors with experience in morally ambiguous characters, such as Stan Lee himself, fits with that direction.
In Europe and, by extension, in Spain, Interest in the sequel is remarkable.The Batman: Part II has garnered significant attention, both from the general public and the specialized press. Its strong box office performance in Europe, coupled with the popularity of Sebastian Stan and Scarlett Johansson among European audiences, positions it as one of the major releases of the 2027 fall film season.
Sebastian Stan's recent career path and his fit into Gotham
Aside from his role as the Winter Soldier, He has been diversifying his filmography for years. With roles in films like I, Tonya, Pam & Tommy, A Different Man, and recent projects such as The Hustle and The Big Hit, this career has allowed him to shed the label of being solely a superhero actor and gain recognition for his work in dramas and thrillers with a greater dramatic weight.
His experience playing Bucky Barnes also offers an interesting parallel with characters like Harvey Dent. The transition from a loyal friend to a manipulated weapon It's an arc that Stan has successfully showcased at Marvel and that could be effectively transferred to Reeves' Gotham.
Furthermore, The actor has already worked with Robert Pattinson on The Devil All the Time.A dark thriller released in 2020, it demonstrates that the two can share the screen in stories with a dark tone and restrained pace. This prior chemistry is another point in favor of a project that relies heavily on the intensity of the performances.
As for Scarlett Johansson, with whom Stan shared years of filming within the Avengers, Their potential reunion now under the DC umbrella adds an obvious wink to the fansA core cast including Pattinson, Stan, and Johansson would put the sequel in a very competitive position in the global market.
Meanwhile DC Studios is keeping both the detailed plot and the final character roster under wraps.The script, developed by Reeves and Mattson Tomlin, has been worked on with special care, with security protocols to prevent leaks during the writing phase and, presumably, during filming.
A Gotham parallel to the new DCU
Reeves' Gotham unfolds as a separate storyline from new DC Universe supervised by James Gunn and Peter Safranwhich will kick off with a new Superman movie and other projects like Supergirl or Clayface.
This approach allows that function as a saga with its own identitywithout being forced to fit into a larger network of crossovers and special appearances. In practical terms, the creative team has more leeway to prioritize the internal coherence of its story over the obligation to pave the way for other titles.
For actors like Stan, That creative autonomy can be especially appealing.Instead of adding to a mosaic of characters with occasional appearances, Reeves' approach seems more focused on building a contained narrative, with dramatic weight and space to calmly develop the relationships between heroes, allies, and inevitably villains.
In this scenario, the signing of a figure so closely associated with Marvel would also have symbolic value for DC Studios. It would be another sign that the studio is willing to compete for established talent., offering projects with personality that go beyond reproducing known formulas of the genre.
With all this context on the table, one of the most striking casting moves of the coming yearsIf negotiations come to fruition, Matt Reeves' sequel will combine the return of a Gotham universe that has already proven its appeal with the addition of an actor at the height of his professional career, capable of bringing nuance to any of the roles being considered and reinforcing the appeal of one of DC Studios' big bets for 2027.
