🎭 The Dark Knight’s New Obsession: Who Is Scarlett Johansson Playing in The Batman: Part 2?

The news of former MCU stalwart Scarlett Johansson being in final negotiations for a key role in Matt Reeves' highly anticipated The Batman: Part 2 has electrified Gotham's digital back alleys.

While Warner Bros. and DC Studios are playing their cards close to the chest, verifiable reports indicate her role is significant, described as a "leading lady" opposite Robert Pattinson, and, most intriguingly, that the character may start as a romantic interest before being revealed as a villain.

This specific, complex character profile, coupled with the reported absence of Zoë Kravitz's Selina Kyle, strongly suggests that Johansson is not just filling a void, but stepping into a part designed to challenge Bruce Wayne's entire emotional and moral core.

The speculation has narrowed down to a few compelling comic book and animated characters who perfectly fit the noir, psychological thriller tone established by The Batman.

Could the New Love Interest Be the Hidden Villain: The Case for Andrea Beaumont (The Phantasm)?

The strongest, most compelling theory circulating among fans and industry insiders is that Scarlett Johansson will portray Andrea Beaumont, also known as the vigilante The Phantasm.

This character, who originated in the iconic animated film Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, perfectly embodies the "love interest turns villain" twist that industry reporter Jeff Sneider has hinted at.

• The Emotional Anchor: Andrea Beaumont was Bruce Wayne's fiancée, the one person who gave him hope for a normal life before the darkness of his parents' murder consumed him and led him to become Batman.

  
  

  Her re-emergence would force a deep, painful exploration of Bruce Wayne’s psyche, which Reeves has stated is a key focus for The Batman: Part 2.

  
  

• The Tragic Parallel: The Phantasm is a scythe-wielding, masked killer targeting the mobsters responsible for her father's death.

  
  

  This mirrors Batman's own origin and mission, creating a dark mirror reflection of the Caped Crusader: a vigilante motivated not by justice, but by pure, uncompromising vengeance.

  
  

  The character would serve as a crucial test for the young Batman, forcing him to confront what separates his justice from her retribution.

  
  

• The Unseen Villain: Reeves previously stated the villain for the sequel would be one never before featured prominently in live-action Batman films.

  
  

  While The Mask of the Phantasm had a theatrical release, the character has never been the main antagonist in a live-action blockbuster, making Andrea Beaumont an ideal, unexpected choice.⁸

  
  

Casting Johansson, a powerhouse actress with a proven ability to handle complex action and deep emotionality, would prevent the twist from being an easy reveal. The performance could carry the weight of both Bruce Wayne’s romantic hope and Batman’s greatest disappointment.

What About Other Classic Love Interests for Bruce Wayne Who Could Potentially Be In The Batman: Part 2?

With Selina Kyle having departed Gotham, Bruce Wayne is open to new romantic entanglements. However, Matt Reeves' grounded approach means these characters would have to be radically reimagined to avoid feeling like standard superhero tropes.

• Vicki Vale: The iconic Gotham journalist is a strong possibility. Johansson could play Vale as a sharp, investigative reporter who, unlike Catwoman, challenges Bruce Wayne in the public sphere while providing him with a civilian-life connection.

  
  

  A Reeves-ian twist could see her become dangerously obsessed with uncovering the truth about The Batman, potentially exposing him and creating a profound new threat.

• Silver St. Cloud: A socialite who eventually figures out Bruce Wayne’s secret identity and breaks up with him out of fear for his life is another fascinating route.

  
  

  This would make the film a deep dive into the psychological toll of Batman's war on crime on those closest to him, giving Johansson a purely dramatic, non-super-powered, but equally impactful role.

  
  

• Julie Madison: Known in the comics as one of Bruce’s earliest loves.⁹ While perhaps a less dramatic choice, she could serve as an anchor to his past and a contrast to the corruption of Gotham’s high society.

  
  

Could Scarlett Johansson Take on a Major New Villain Role?

While reports point to a love interest with a villainous reveal, the sheer star power of Johansson suggests a character who will stand alone as a primary threat.

• Poison Ivy (Pamela Isley): Though one verifiable report specifically states she is not playing this character, the fan speculation is high. In a Gotham reeling from catastrophic flooding and ecological collapse (teased at the end of The Batman), a radical eco-terrorist like Poison Ivy would be an incredibly timely and grounded antagonist.

  
  

  Matt Reeves would likely forego the classic comic book super-powers for a character who uses extreme, bio-chemical means to wage war on Gotham's industries, making her a dark spiritual successor to The Riddler's initial attack on the city's corrupt foundation.

  
  

• Gilda Dent: The wife of Harvey Dent (Two-Face) is a deep-cut character from the Long Halloween storyline who was revealed to be the initial "Holiday Killer," driven by a desire to lessen the burden of corruption on her husband.

  
  

  Johansson could play Gilda as a sophisticated, tragic figure who takes the law into her own hands in a misguided attempt to clean up Gotham after the events of the first film, creating a terrifying, morally ambiguous foil to Batman.

  
  

Summary of Top Speculative Roles and Supporting Information

Some Closing Thoughts

The casting of Scarlett Johansson in The Batman: Part 2 confirms Matt Reeves' intention to build a deeply personal, star-studded epic.

The verifiable rumor of a character who starts as Bruce Wayne's romantic partner only to be unmasked as a major villain makes the character of Andrea Beaumont, The Phantasm, the most probable and narratively exciting choice.

This would allow the sequel to move away from the massive, city-wide catastrophe of The Batman and focus instead on a psychological war that forces Robert Pattinson's still-nascent Dark Knight to truly reconcile his two identities: the haunted Bruce Wayne and the vengeful Batman.

So, who do you think ScarJo will be seen bringing to life on the big screen in The Batman: Part 2? Let us know in the comments section down below!