Scarlett Johansson is very close to joining the cast of The Batman – Part II, which would bring a major star from the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the DC Universe. According to Variety, she’s expected to act alongside Robert Pattinson as Batman in the sequel, currently scheduled to hit theaters in October 2027. Although her specific role is being kept secret, fans are already guessing she might play characters like Poison Ivy, Vicki Vale, or Andrea Beaumont (The Phantasm). This move would be a significant moment, as it marks a rare crossover for such a prominent actress between these two major superhero franchises.
Johansson’s decision makes her the twelfth prominent actor to appear in both Marvel and Batman films. She joins a growing list of performers who’ve moved from superhero roles – like those involving vibranium, gamma radiation, or cosmic abilities – to projects set in Gotham City.
Scarlett Johansson first appeared as Natasha Romanoff, also known as Black Widow, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with the 2010 film Iron Man 2. She rapidly became a key member of the original Avengers team, and played the role of a highly skilled spy and assassin for over eleven years.
Throughout nine major Marvel Cinematic Universe films, including her last appearance in 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff) acted as the Avengers’ guiding conscience and skilled strategist. Her story famously ended with a selfless sacrifice on Vormir, allowing the team to obtain the Soul Stone and ultimately undo Thanos’ devastating snap.
Johansson finally appeared in the solo Black Widow film in 2021, a movie that explored her character’s history and provided a fitting conclusion to her story. Now, she’s bringing all her experience from major film franchises, as well as her two Academy Award nominations, to Matt Reeves’ Batman universe.
MCU Stars Who Have Featured in DC’s Batman Franchise
Christian Bale
Christian Bale is widely considered the definitive cinematic Batman, thanks to his intense and realistic performance in Christopher Nolan’s highly praised The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005–2012). His serious and thoughtful take on Bruce Wayne and the Caped Crusader has set the standard for other actors, and the films themselves are among the most successful and well-received comic book movies ever made.
After finishing his role as Batman ten years prior, Christian Bale joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2022, playing the frightening villain Gorr the God Butcher in Thor: Love and Thunder. Armed with the powerful Necrosword, Gorr sought to eliminate all gods he believed had let down those who followed them.
Michael Keaton
Michael Keaton first brought the modern Batman to life, playing the unusual and private Bruce Wayne/Batman in Tim Burton’s films Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992). He’s returned to the role in other DC projects since then, establishing himself as one of the most iconic Batmans ever.
Michael Keaton first appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming as Adrian Toomes, also known as Vulture. Toomes was a skilled engineer who used recovered alien technology from the Chitauri to become a black market weapons dealer, making him the first big screen villain for Tom Holland’s Spider-Man.
Michelle Pfeiffer
In the 1992 film Batman Returns, Michelle Pfeiffer gave a standout performance as Selina Kyle, also known as Catwoman, perfectly portraying the character’s complex and contrasting nature.
Janet van Dyne was introduced as the original Wasp in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the 2018 film Ant-Man and the Wasp, and she continued to play the role in later movies. After being trapped in the Quantum Realm for decades, she was rescued and brought valuable knowledge and a motherly figure to the Pym family.
Tom Hardy
In the 2012 film The Dark Knight Rises, Tom Hardy powerfully portrayed Bane, a formidable and intelligent mercenary. Bane wore a special mask that delivered the drug Venom, helping him cope with constant pain. As the main villain, he managed to conquer Gotham City and push Batman to his emotional limit.
Though best known for playing Eddie Brock/Venom in Sony’s Spider-Man movies, Tom Hardy’s character has now officially joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He made a brief appearance after the credits of the 2021 film Spider-Man: No Way Home, establishing that he exists within the larger multiverse.
J.K. Simmons
J.K. Simmons is known for playing strong authority figures in both Marvel and DC comics. He first appeared in the DC Extended Universe as the honest and practical Commissioner James Gordon in the 2017 film Justice League and later in the 2021 Zack Snyder’s Justice League director’s cut.
He’s also famous for playing J. Jonah Jameson, the loud and critical editor of the Daily Bugle. Remarkably, he’s continued this role, moving from the original Spider-Man movies directed by Sam Raimi right into the current Marvel Cinematic Universe, starting with a surprise appearance in the 2019 film, Spider-Man: Far From Home.
Tommy Lee Jones
In the 1995 movie Batman Forever, Tommy Lee Jones played Harvey Dent, a villain who also goes by Two-Face. His performance brilliantly showed the character’s unpredictable and wild energy, as well as his famous habit of making decisions by flipping a coin. He was one of the film’s two primary bad guys.
He played a vital role in early Marvel Cinematic Universe films as Colonel Chester Phillips, a stern and direct military officer. Phillips led the program that transformed Steve Rogers into Captain America, as seen in the 2011 film Captain America: The First Avenger.
Ben Mendelsohn
Ben Mendelsohn played John Daggett, a dishonest and cruel businessman, in the 2012 film The Dark Knight Rises. Daggett was a business rival to Bruce Wayne and played a key role in Bane’s plan to create chaos in Gotham City through financial and political manipulation.
Ben Mendelsohn first became a key part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2019, playing the Skrull leader Talos in Captain Marvel. Talos later allied with Nick Fury to defend Earth, and appeared in Spider-Man: Far From Home before becoming a central figure in the 2023 Disney+ series Secret Invasion.
Andy Serkis
As a huge cinema fan, I was really impressed with Andy Serkis as Alfred in Matt Reeves’ The Batman – he brought such a lovely, world-worn quality to the role. I’m thrilled to hear he’s signed on to play Alfred again in the sequel, alongside Johansson and Pattinson. It’s great to see consistency in casting, and I can’t wait to see what he does with the character next!
Andy Serkis played a memorable villain in the early Marvel Cinematic Universe as Ulysses Klaue, a black-market arms dealer. He first appeared in 2015’s Avengers: Age of Ultron, stealing Vibranium, and was later killed in 2018’s Black Panther.
Jon Favreau
Before he became famous for leading the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Jon Favreau had a small, uncredited role in the 1995 film Batman Forever. He played a pilot who helped Bruce Wayne, making it a little-known but interesting piece of DC Comics movie history.
I’ve been a huge MCU fan since the beginning, and Jon Favreau is a real cornerstone of it all! He not only directed the first two Iron Man movies – which were amazing – but he is Happy Hogan, Tony Stark’s incredibly loyal friend and bodyguard. He’s been in so many of the films, starting way back with the original Iron Man in 2008, making him one of the actors who’s been with the MCU the longest. It’s awesome to see a familiar face throughout the entire saga!
Laurence Fishburne
Laurence Fishburne famously portrayed Perry White, the tough and unwavering editor of the Daily Planet, in the early films of the DC Extended Universe, such as the 2016 movie Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
Laurence Fishburne first appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2018’s Ant-Man and the Wasp as Dr. Bill Foster. As an old friend and coworker of Hank Pym, Foster specialized in Pym Particle technology and helped Ava Starr, also known as Ghost, learn to control her ability to phase through objects.
Henry Cavill
Henry Cavill became known as the main Superman in the DC Extended Universe, playing Clark Kent. His version of the character had a significant rivalry with Batman, which was the core of the movie Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
He joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe with a surprise appearance as a version of Wolverine in the 2024 film Deadpool & Wolverine.
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2025-12-08 03:08