The Batman 2 Can Finally Give Us Something the MCU Refused To Do, Despite Years of Marvel Fan Wishes

by

As a huge cinema fan, I’m really excited to see the cast for The Batman Part II finally coming together! It looks like we’re going to see a lot of recognizable actors in the sequel. The latest additions are particularly interesting – both Scarlett Johansson and Sebastian Stan have serious superhero experience. Johansson recently signed on for a secret role, and now Stan is joining her, which immediately got everyone wondering what this means for his future as Bucky in the Marvel Cinematic Universe after Avengers: Doomsday. Like with Johansson, they’re keeping details about Stan’s character close to the vest, but the fan theories are already flying!

Now that Stan has been cast, people are wondering if he’ll play Harvey Dent, the popular district attorney who becomes a villain. It’s a role that would really suit his skills, and if it happens, it could give comic book fans something they’ve been hoping for. Plus, with rumors about Johansson’s character, the next Batman movie might finally give Marvel fans the Johansson/Stan romance they’ve always wanted.

The MCU Never Adapted Black Widow and Winter Soldier’s Romance

Fans who only know Black Widow and Winter Soldier from the Marvel movies might be surprised to learn that the films didn’t include a significant part of their history. In the comics, Bucky Barnes and Natasha Romanoff were actually in a romantic relationship. It started when Bucky was undergoing training in the Red Room, where he met Natasha as part of the Black Widow Ops program. From then on, they developed a complicated but strong connection. Later, when Bucky became the new Captain America, he and Natasha frequently worked together on missions, facing villains like Red Skull.

Considering the difficult pasts of both Bucky and Natasha, a completely happy ending for them wasn’t likely. Their comic book history is full of separations, including one instance where Natasha lost her memories. These storylines have often been some of the most captivating in Marvel comics, highlighting the complex relationship between two people who used to be assassins. However, despite this strong foundation, Marvel Studios never adapted these stories for their films.

Many Marvel fans wished for a romance between Black Widow (Natasha) and the Winter Soldier (Bucky), but looking back, it’s understandable why that never happened in the movies. Simply put, there wasn’t much opportunity. Throughout most of the Infinity Saga, both characters played supporting roles, appearing in other heroes’ films or as part of the larger Avengers team. Scarlett Johansson and Sebastian Stan only shared the screen in four MCU movies. Their first encounter was in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, but Bucky was primarily a villain at that time. They later found themselves on opposing sides during Captain America: Civil War, a film focused on the Avengers’ internal conflict and the introduction of new heroes like Black Panther and Spider-Man. By Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, the main focus was the battle against Thanos, and Bucky was even erased from existence for a large portion of Endgame.

A romance between Black Widow and the Winter Soldier wouldn’t feel natural within the existing Marvel films. The filmmakers likely wouldn’t have enough time to develop it properly, and a rushed storyline would be unsatisfying for fans. If the relationship felt incomplete, it wouldn’t make sense. To truly work, a Nat and Bucky romance would have needed to be a central focus of a Black Widow or Winter Soldier solo project, allowing for a deeper exploration of their connection – similar to their rich history in the comics. Simply adding it in as a nod to fans wouldn’t have the impact it deserves.

The Batman Part II Can Give Fans a Johansson/Stan Romantic Pairing

Scarlett Johansson could potentially play many roles in The Batman Part II, and a popular rumor suggests she might be Gilda Gold, the wife of Harvey Dent – a character many believe actor Sebastian Stan will portray. While nothing is official yet, if the rumors are true, comic book fans would likely enjoy seeing Johansson and Stan as a couple, especially given that their characters, Black Widow and Bucky Barnes, never had a romantic relationship in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. If Johansson and Stan have good on-screen chemistry, Marvel fans might feel regret over the missed opportunity for those two characters.

Details about The Batman Part II are scarce, but the introduction of Harvey Dent feels likely considering the world director Matt Reeves has built. His Gotham City is a dark and realistic place overrun with organized crime, making Dent – a former prosecutor dedicated to cleaning up the city – a natural fit. While casting an actor like Stan as Dent could draw comparisons to The Dark Knight, enough time has passed for audiences to embrace a fresh take on the character, particularly with a popular actor in the role.

Introducing the character Gilda could be a key way for The Batman Part II to feel distinct from The Dark Knight. While Harvey Dent’s relationship with Rachel Dawes was central to Christopher Nolan’s films, exploring a different side of Dent with Gilda would set this new movie apart. Unlike previous iterations where they were assassins trying to rebuild their lives, Gilda and Harvey could have a complex relationship full of drama, offering exciting possibilities for the story – perhaps even a fresh take on the Holiday killer plotline.

Seeing Gilda and Harvey together in a film would be fantastic, but whatever Matt Reeves creates will likely be enjoyable for fans. He’s proven with The Batman and The Penguin that he’s excellent at casting and knows how to help actors shine in interesting roles. The fact that talents like Johansson and Stan were drawn to his script for The Batman Part II suggests he has a really compelling vision. Whether it features Gilda and Harvey or another exciting storyline, fans are eagerly awaiting more news as the film progresses towards its release.

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/movies/list/7-biggest-rumors-about-the-batman-part-ii-ranked/embed/#

Read More

2026-01-09 00:44