Matt Reeves confirms Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan in The Batman: Part II

Matt Reeves has unveiled a new cast for The Batman Part II. Along with Robert Pattinson in the title role, the film will star Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan and Charles Dance. The new adventure set in Gotham City promises to be colder, as it tells a story of corruption and family scars.

In Short

• Matt Reeves confirmed Scarlett Johansson's addition to Batman Part II
• The upcoming film suggests a deeper focus on Harvey's family history
• Robert Pattinson returns as Batman in Reeves' superhero sequel

Director Matt Reeves has confirmed a major new round of casting for The Batman Part II, expanding the world of Robert Pattinson's superhero sequel with several high-profile additions. The second instalment of 2022's The Batman is set to grow in scale, with Sebastian Stan, Scarlett Johansson, Charles Dance and Brian Tyree Henry joining a darker and more grounded DC universe, even as several character details remain under wraps.

Sebastian Stan is Gotham’s new district attorney

One of the biggest developments is the arrival of Harvey Dent in Reeves' Gotham. Sebastian Stan has been cast as Gotham's new district attorney, with the sequel expected to explore the character's emotional and psychological breakdown in a more grounded way before his eventual transformation into Two-Face.

Rather than introducing Dent as a full villain at once, the film is expected to follow a man trying to clean up Gotham while being slowly consumed by the city's corruption and his own personal demons. Stan has recently described the role as an ambitious challenge.

Scarlett Johansson joins cast in Harvey Dent's origin story

Scarlett Johansson will play Gilda Dent, Harvey's wife. In the comics, Gilda is closely tied to Harvey's emotional struggles and is often among the first to witness his gradual unravelling. Her addition suggests the sequel may place more emphasis on Harvey's personal relationships and emotional collapse rather than turning him into a traditional comic-book villain immediately.

GoT's Charles Dance to play Harvey Dent’s father

Charles Dance, known for portraying Tywin Lannister in Game of Thrones series has also joined the cast as Christopher Dent, Harvey's father, pointing to a possible exploration of Harvey's troubled upbringing and the emotional scars that shaped him long before he became one of Gotham's most notorious villains.

New faces added to Gotham’s expanding world

Reeves has also added more actors to Gotham's growing world, though their roles have not been disclosed. Brian Tyree Henry has joined the cast in an undisclosed role. German actor Sebastian Koch is also part of the sequel. Known for films such as The Lives of Others, Koch's casting has prompted speculation online that he could play a businessman, politician or another figure linked to Gotham's elite circles.

While Reeves has kept most story details hidden, the new additions indicate that the world of Gotham is becoming broader and more threatening.

The new casting places a strong focus on Harvey Dent and his family, while also adding more mystery figures to Gotham and bringing back a number of familiar faces from the first film. Reeves has also teased a colder and darker setting for the sequel, with production reportedly due to begin in the UK on May 29, 2026, ahead of a planned worldwide theatrical release on October 1, 2027.

Bruce Wayne’s journey: Shifting from vengeance to hope

Several returning cast members have also been confirmed. Robert Pattinson is set to return as Bruce Wayne and Batman as the character continues to evolve from a symbol of vengeance into someone trying to offer Gotham hope.

Jeffrey Wright will reprise his role as Jim Gordon, continuing his partnership with Batman while investigating the city's deep-rooted corruption. Andy Serkis will return as Alfred Pennyworth following the emotional fallout of the first film, with reports suggesting Alfred may play a more active role in Bruce's journey this time.

Colin Farrell is also set to return as Oz Cobb, or Penguin. After the success of his spin-off series, the character is now expected to become one of Gotham's most powerful crime bosses. Reeves had confirmed Farrell's return early in development, underscoring that Oz's rise in Gotham's underworld is only beginning. Jayme Lawson as Mayor Bella Real and Gil Perez-Abraham as Officer Martinez are also returning.

Reeves recently teased the sequel's darker atmosphere by sharing a snowy image of the Batmobile online with the hashtag #SnowTires. The image points to a Gotham facing a brutal winter, both literally and emotionally.

Warner Bros. has scheduled The Batman: Part II for release on October 1, 2027.

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