Who Is Scarlett Johansson Playing in The Batman 2? Unexpected Role Rumored

From Black Widow to serial killer?

Scarlett Johansson in Black Widow
Scarlett Johansson in Black Widow

  • Primary Subject: Scarlett Johansson's role and casting in Matt Reeves' The Batman: Part II.
  • Key Update: While director Matt Reeves officially confirmed Scarlett Johansson has joined the cast, competing online rumors are split on whether she is playing Gilda Dent or a grounded version of the main villain, Poison Ivy.
  • Status: Rumored
  • Last Verified: July 13, 2026
  • Quick Answer: Director Matt Reeves has officially cast Scarlett Johansson in The Batman: Part II, though her exact role, which is heavily rumored as either Gilda Dent or Poison Ivy, remains unconfirmed.

The casting sandbox for Matt Reeves' highly anticipated Gotham sequel has just added some serious star power. As cameras officially roll on The Batman: Part II, the internet has exploded with theories regarding the arrival of former Marvel icon Scarlett Johansson into the moody, rain-soaked franchise.

Who Is Scarlett Johansson Playing in The Batman Part 2?

Director Matt Reeves officially sent the DC fandom into overdrive when he confirmed Johansson's addition to the sequel using a series of character teasers in recent social media posts.

But, in true Matt Reeves fashion, the director didn't explicitly drop her DCU role name, leaving a massive void for internet sleuths and industry insiders to fill in themselves.

For months, the prevailing trade heavily suggested that the Black Widow star would be portraying Gilda Dent, the tragic wife of Gotham's newly elected District Attorney Harvey Dent, who is set to be played by Johansson's fellow MCU veteran, Sebastian Stan.

The casting alignment perfectly matches the rumors that claim the film will heavily draw inspiration from the iconic comic book arc, The Long Halloween.

However, a new wave of production leaks from July 2026 has completely thrown a wrench into that theory.

scarlett johansson poison ivy the batman part ii
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Credit: Warner Bros. Animation | Marvel Studios

Instead, reports from insiders like DCULeaks, backed up by insider Jeff Sneider, suggest that Johansson is actually stepping into the role of a grounded version of Poison Ivy reimagined as a calculated serial killer targeting Gotham's elite with botanical toxins.

The supposed leak also claims Sebastian Stan is actually playing the psychotic killer Victor Zsasz, with Brian Tyree Henry secretly stepping into the Harvey Dent role.

Considering that plot details for the Dark Knight's sequel are still under wraps, the rumored role remains unconfirmed, at least for now.

What the Upcoming DCU Star's Villainous Role Means for the Franchise

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Credit: Marvel Studios

If the latest whispers hold, Johansson's role has the potential to reshape the landscape of Reeves' Bat-verse. A grounded take on Poison Ivy introduces a radically different dynamic compared to the eccentric, green-skinned iterations of the past.

It shifts the sequel into a dark, psychological detective thriller where Batman must hunt down a phantom killer manipulating the city's corrupt infrastructure from the shadows.

The rumor mill also indicates that Ivy's main target is a secret society of Gotham's most powerful billionaires, heavily implied to be led by Harvey's father, Christopher Dent, played by newly cast franchise veteran Charles Dance. This setup seemingly points to the introduction of the Court of Owls, adding layers of systemic corruption to the flooded city's storyline.

Whether Johansson ends up playing the supportive but ultimately doomed Gilda Dent or a lethal, toxic-wielding Poison Ivy, her presence guarantees that The Batman: Part II is taking major swings on its next big-screen premiere.

As of writing, The Batman: Part II is slated to hit theaters on October 1, 2027.

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