There is One Character Scarlett Johansson Should Not Play in The Batman Part II (And Some DC Fans Won’t Like It)

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This week brought exciting news about the long-awaited sequel to Matt Reeves’ The Batman: Scarlett Johansson, known for her roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Jurassic World, is reportedly close to joining the cast. This is the first major casting announcement for The Batman Part II, which has been in development since 2022 and faced several delays. With production now aiming to begin in early 2026, the project seems to be moving forward, and fans are already speculating about what role Johansson will play.

Scarlett Johansson has proven she can handle superhero roles, notably as Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and is a talented actress overall. This opens up many possibilities for her next role alongside Robert Pattinson’s Batman. While fans have suggested characters like Andrea Beaumont/The Phantasm and Vicki Vale, there’s one casting choice that would be a major mistake: Harley Quinn. Fans overwhelmingly agree that Johansson should not play this character in The Batman Part II.

DC Has Already Done Harley Quinn (And Done Her Well)

Harley Quinn is undoubtedly one of DC’s biggest stars, often considered alongside Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman as a core character for the company. Her widespread popularity has kept her a constant presence in comic books, video games, and animated series. She’s also made a significant impact in live-action films, notably through Margot Robbie’s performances in Suicide Squad, The Suicide Squad, and Birds of Prey. Recently, Lady Gaga offered a strikingly different take on the character as Harley Quinnzel in Joker: Folie à Deux.

Honestly, we’ve seen a lot of Harley Quinn lately. While it’s fun to imagine what Matt Reeves might do with her in his Batman world – maybe explore her as Harleen Quinzel before she became Harley, or give her a Bruce Wayne-style duality – I just think it feels…redundant. What I loved about The Batman was how it took familiar Batman elements and twisted them just enough to feel new and exciting. That’s why they went with The Riddler instead of the Joker! DC has really leaned into Harley as this complex, sometimes villainous character, and Margot Robbie is so strongly associated with the role already. Casting Scarlett Johansson as another version of Harley just wouldn’t feel right, and it wouldn’t offer anything fresh.

The Batman Part II Can Tell a Better Story By Using a Different Character From Batman’s Lore

As a huge Batman fan, I was relieved to hear they might not be using Scarlett Johansson as Harley Quinn. Honestly, there are so many fantastic characters in Batman’s world they could explore instead, and tell a much more compelling story. What really worked in the first film, The Batman, was Matt Reeves’ willingness to take risks with his choices – his casting was brilliant! Pattinson and Zoe Kravitz were totally unexpected, and that’s what made it so exciting. So, for the sequel, I’m hoping he continues that trend. Bringing in someone like Vicki Vale would be a fantastic move. She’s a classic character from the comics, a lot of people remember her from the 1989 Batman movie, and I think she could easily be woven into a fresh, new story.

Since the news about Johansson, another popular fan choice has been circulating online: Andrea Beaumont, also known as The Phantasm. This character could be a fantastic addition to the sequel, and a great fit for Johansson, because she’s connected to the criminal underworld already seen in The Batman and the upcoming The Penguin series (which will tie into the sequel). Plus, reports suggest the role will be complex, acting as both a romantic interest and a villain.

Johansson’s role in the next Batman film will likely tie into the existing crime narrative, and that connection allows for some surprising character choices beyond the usual suspects like Vicki Vale or Andrea Beaumont. One possibility is Helena Bertinelli, a.k.a. Huntress, which would be a fresh take on the character. Alternatively, they could go with a completely unexpected choice like Janet Van Dorn, a district attorney from the animated series who had a complex history with Bruce Wayne – she was romantically linked to him but openly disliked Batman.

No matter who Johansson ends up portraying, it’s going to change the feel of the movie. With reports suggesting Zoe Kravitz won’t be back as Catwoman, The Batman Part II is shaping up to be a very different story. Whatever direction they take, it’s important that the filmmakers avoid the predictable route of including Harley Quinn.

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2025-12-05 21:40