Scarlett Johansson is leaving the Marvel Cinematic Universe behind to join DC, and the talented actress would be perfect for some major roles in The Batman 2. Johansson became famous in the superhero scene for playing one of the MCU's original Avengers, Black Widow, for nearly a decade. After Natasha Romanoff died in Avengers: Endgame, Johansson claims her time in the MCU is over.
Her new move seems to confirm that, as Johansson is reportedly in final talks to join The Batman 2's cast in a major role. While her character has yet to be revealed, reports state that it could be a love interest to Robert Pattinson's Bruce Wayne, a villain, or both. Based on that, here are the perfect characters for Johansson in the upcoming DC movie:
Poison Ivy
First up is Poison Ivy. This is the character most fans immediately turned to when the news broke, and it is easy to see why. Not only does Johansson look great with red hair, but the actress has played plenty of seductive, nuanced roles that fit Poison Ivy's persona. She would be great as Pamela Isley.
Playing against it are the fantastical elements of the character, as Matt Reeves' version of Gotham City is grounded, while Poison Ivy's powers are anything but. Still, Ivy would fit the description of a DC character who could fulfill Catwoman's place as Bruce's love interest while also being a villain. Poison Ivy's tragic backstory is a match for Reeves' dark franchise.
Vicki Vale
Vicki Vale would be an interesting character for Johansson, as certain adaptations of the intrepid reporter have pulled her in exciting opposite directions. Speaking to Josh Horowitz, Matt Reeves explained that The Batman 2 will focus more on Bruce Wayne than Batman. As such, giving Bruce a romantic interest outside the crime-fighting life would suit the story.
That said, Vicki could still play an active role in the film's main mystery, similarly to how Rachel Brosnahan's Lois Lane was crucial to Lex Luthor's downfall in James Gunn's Superman. In the Telltale Batman game, Vicki Vale was revealed as the villain Lady Arkham. Given the location's role in The Batman, that would be a nice twist for the sequel.
Julie Madison
Julie Madison is not a frequent character in Batman stories, but she is surely one of the most important players in the Dark Knight mythos, which would be a fitting role for a Hollywood star of Johansson's caliber. Madison was Batman's first love interest in the comics, debuting all the way back in 1939.
Madison is an actress and socialite who could be used as a way for The Batman 2 to explore the playboy side of Pattinson's Bruce Wayne. In the first movie, Bruce was so shrouded in darkness that even when he was not in the suit, his personality was overshadowed by Batman's. Johansson, as the easygoing Julie, could change him.
Samantha Vanaver
A few villains have been rumored for The Batman 2. At the top of the fans' wishlist for the DC sequel is the Court of Owls, an organization as old as Gotham that has secretly been ruling the city from the shadows all along. Johansson has the gravitas to play its leader, Samantha Vanaver.
While the Court of Owls has had different Grandmasters, Vanaver's role in the animated movie Batman vs. Robin is a perfect fit for the description of who Johansson could be playing in The Batman 2. The character was romantically involved with Bruce Wayne while secretly leading the Court of Owls behind his back. Talk about a twist.
Nora Fries
Now, Nora Fries would mean Johansson would not give life to a Batman love interest. That said, the character would make sense due to the state that Gotham City currently finds itself in. After the Riddler's plan to flood Gotham in The Batman's ending succeeded, Mr. Freeze is an ideal villain for the sequel.
He could turn Gotham into his own winter wonderland, with Batman uncovering what he truly wants. Freeze's tragic backstory includes saving his wife, Nora
Harley Quinn
Harley Quinn is a more out-there casting choice for Johansson, I know. That said, The Batman did introduce the franchise's version of the Joker, played by Barry Keoghan, who is expected to be back in the sequel in some form. If the Joker could appear, then why not introduce his other half?
Johansson has the acting chops to portray the intelligent psychiatrist Harleen Quinzel, who could get close to Bruce Wayne using that persona, but ultimately be already under the Joker's spell as Harley Quinn. After all, Batman and Joker have an established connection in the franchise, and Harley could be trying to free the villain. Johansson is a name big enough for Harley Quinn.
Silver St. Cloud
If The Batman 2 focuses more on Bruce Wayne than Batman, I believe that one of the best characters to bring Bruce out of the darkness he currently finds himself in is Silver St. Cloud. Another of DC's socialites, St. Cloud, is a special character in Batman's mythos, as she figured out his secret.
After discovering that Bruce Wayne was Batman, St. Cloud broke up with him because she could not keep worrying about his health every time he went out to fight crime. This eventually leads to Bruce questioning whether he should give up being Batman. Their relationship would be perfect for a Bruce Wayne-focused The Batman 2.
Talia Al Ghul
Talia Al Ghul is unlikely to be in The Batman 2, as James Gunn revealed that Damian Wayne will be the Robin of the shared DC Universe's The Brave and the Bold Batman movie. Given how Damian is the son of Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul, the latter should be heavily tied to the DCU for now.
Still, from a story standpoint, I would not completely rule out Johansson playing Talia. She is another of Batman's biggest love interests in the comics, who could easily just pass as a wealthy woman Bruce falls for and ultimately is revealed to be Ra's al Ghul's daughter and heir to an empire of assassins. Bruce's world would be rocked.
Julia Pennyworth
The Batman established the dynamic between Robert Pattinson's Bruce Wayne and Andy Serkis' Alfred Pennyworth. With Serkis at 61, Alfred could have a daughter who is around the age of Pattinson's Batman, which is where Julia Pennyworth comes in. Julia is Alfred's estranged daughter, and her arrival at Wayne Manor could be quite juicy.
In The Batman franchise, Alfred is well aware that Bruce is Batman, helping the Dark Knight on his missions. Having both characters dance around that fact when Julia comes into their life would create interesting emotional turmoil. Given that Alfred and Bruce had a more professional relationship in The Batman, Julia could also help bring out the warmer, more paternal bond that fans love.
Phantasm
Finally, while the list is in no specific order, I believe that the best role for Scarlett Johansson in The Batman 2, and the most exciting, is that of Andrea Beaumont, aka Phantasm. The character was created for the animated movie Batman: The Mask of the Phantasm. In the movie, Beaumont is engaged to Bruce.
She breaks it off to run away with her father when the mob comes after him. After his death, she reappears years later on a revenge mission as the Phantasm. The role would allow Scarlett Johansson to show off her Black Widow action skills from the MCU at DC, all while playing a nuanced character with an emotional backstory, making Phantasm ideal for The Batman 2.
