Matt Reeves’ next DC Studios entry, The Batman Part II, appears to be in the midst of a notable casting reshuffle. Multiple outlets are reporting that Scarlett Johansson is being eyed for a potentially antagonistic role, while Zoë Kravitz — who assumed the role of Selina Kyle/Catwoman in 2022’s The Batman — may not return for the sequel. Sources for the Johansson casting chatter include industry reports from Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter.
So who might Johansson play? The film’s details remain tightly guarded, but Reeves has signaled that the antagonist will reveal something crucial about Bruce Wayne’s past — a hint that points squarely at Andrea Beaumont, better known as the Phantasm.
Ed. note: Spoilers ahead for the 1993 animated feature Batman: Mask of the Phantasm and potentially for The Batman Part II.
Mask of the Phantasm originated from the beloved Batman: The Animated Series and hit theaters on Christmas Day, 1993. Featuring Kevin Conroy as Bruce Wayne/Batman and Mark Hamill as the Joker, the film took a darker, more mature tone — delving into Bruce’s early years and the underworld that shaped Gotham.
At the heart of that story is Andrea Beaumont, Bruce’s former love, who returns to Gotham as a string of grim murders targets members of the mob. Donning a reaper-like guise and wielding a scythe-like weapon, the Phantasm stalks those she holds responsible. Intercut flashbacks trace Bruce and Andrea’s relationship back to his formative period as a crimefighter, making the tale as much about personal history as it is about vengeance.
Warning: major plot detail — Andrea is ultimately revealed to be the Phantasm, executing the men who murdered her father. The film also reframes the Joker’s past, portraying him at that time as a peripheral mob figure, which adds an intriguing wrinkle to his origin mythos.
That backstory is precisely why the Phantasm is such a logical touchstone for Reeves’ sequel: the character naturally opens a door into Bruce Wayne’s past and the emotional life that precedes his full transformation into Batman. In a recent red‑carpet interview, Reeves said the filmmakers prioritized selecting “the right villain that […] goes into his past and his life,” then declined to reveal the final choice.
Phantasm is appealing because it centers on Bruce’s early adulthood and unresolved relationships — territory Reeves has indicated he wants to explore. At the same time, Reeves has noted that the Phantasm concept hasn’t been realized in a live-action theatrical movie before; while the 1993 feature is indeed a theatrical release, it is animated and relatively brief by modern feature standards.
And, for those making casting comparisons, Scarlett Johansson has often been mentioned as visually and energetically similar to Andrea Beaumont — a factor fueling the speculation.
The Batman Part II is scheduled for release in October 2027, so casting and storylines still have time to evolve. That said, for devotees of the animated classic, the prospect of Phantasm-inspired storytelling — and the possibility of Johansson joining the cast — is an exciting development.
Sources mentioning Johansson’s status include Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter; for more on Reeves’ comments about villain selection see his recent interview coverage. For production timeline coverage, see reporting on the sequel’s schedule changes.
Source: Polygon
