The highly-anticipated sequel to Matt Reeves’ superhero film, The Batman Part II, is seemingly replacing one of the first film’s most important characters and a key figure in Gotham City. There were a lot of major power players in the cast of The Batman, from mobsters like Carmine Falcone and Oswald Cobblepot to heroes like Jim Gordon and Bruce Wayne. Not all of Gotham’s most important residents will be returning for The Batman Part II and its October 2027 release date, however.
Many details about The Batman Part II are still being kept under wraps, but some new information about the sequel has been revealed, like some major casting details about The Batman Part II. Most of the main characters of the original, from Bruce Wayne to Jim Gordon and Alfred Pennyworth, are set to return. Even side characters like the Penguin will make a brief appearance. The Batman Part II has even cast Harvey Dent (Sebastian Stan), who will seemingly be the film’s main villain, and his family (Scarlett Johansson and Charles Dance).
Among all those confirmed characters and actors is a gaping hole in The Batman Part II‘s cast. Certain characters, like Carmine Falcone and the Riddler, likely won’t appear due to being dead or incarcerated, but there’s another major power player in Gotham who hasn’t been confirmed yet. Based on Matt Reeves’ openness about the sequel’s cast, it seems that this main character is about to be replaced.
Matt Reeves Didn’t Tease Zoë Kravitz For The Batman Part II’s Cast
Back in May, Matt Reeves took to social media to tease the cast of The Batman Part II. He posted a series of gifs hinting at the involvement of actors both new and returning, ranging from stars like Robert Pattinson and Sebastian Stan to returning supporting actors like Jayme Lawson and Gil Perez-Abraham. However, Zoë Kravitz, who played Selina Kyle aka Catwoman in The Batman, was not featured in any of Reeves’ posts.
Reeves’ posts were the first official indication of The Batman Part II‘s cast, which means it’s fairly official, and he was also very open about his casting choices. He didn’t hide Sebastian Stan, Scarlett Johansson, or Charles Dance, which makes it seem like a fairly definitive list of the sequel’s actors. The fact that Kravitz wasn’t included is a relatively clear sign that Catwoman won’t be in The Batman Part II.
Kravitz’s absence from the sequel would also be fitting with the ending of The Batman. At the end of the first film, Catwoman tries and fails to convince Batman to leave Gotham with her, and she eventually sets out on her own. It’s not clear what the time frame of Part II will be yet or how their relationship may have developed, but it makes sense that Selina wouldn’t return to Gotham after vehemently announcing her intention to leave in the previous movie. Catwoman may not be in The Batman Part II simply because she said she wouldn’t be.
The Batman Part II Will Likely Have A New Female Lead — Who It Could Be
If Zoë Kravitz doesn’t end up being in the cast of The Batman Part II, which currently seems to be the case, the movie will almost certainly have to replace her. This is a major movie, one of the most highly anticipated sequels in years, and a star-studded one to boot. The Batman Part II needs a female lead opposite Robert Pattinson and Sebastian Stan, and with Kravitz seemingly not involved, Matt Reeves will have to find another woman to star.
Luckily, The Batman Part II already has a few great options. Scarlett Johansson is the most likely candidate, given her celebrity status and the fact that she’s playing Gilda Dent, Harvey’s wife. Johansson will be playing a central role in the sequel, and Gilda will likely be deeply involved in the lives of both the protagonist and antagonist. Gilda could even take on a similar role to Catwoman, as a morally complex character caught up in Harvey’s descent to villainy while also acting as a love interest for Bruce Wayne.
The Batman: Part II’s Alleged Lack Of Joker Is Secretly A Blessing In Disguise
The Batman: Part II’s confirmed cast notably does not include Barry Keoghan’s Joker, and that could be the sequel’s best choice so far, if it is true.
Another possibility is the recently elected Mayor Bella Reál (Jayme Lawson). She already has a central role in Gotham’s political hierarchy, and given Batman’s new role as a symbol of hope, he may be working with her more closely as either Batman or Bruce Wayne. She’s less likely to be chosen as The Batman Part II‘s female lead, however, as Lawson isn’t nearly as famous as Johansson, and she probably won’t have a personal relationship with Batman.
The last option is a new character that hasn’t been announced yet. Prominent female members of Batman’s rogues’ gallery, like Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy, probably won’t be considered given their fantastical backstories and Reeves’ more grounded take on the story. The Batman Part II could, however, focus on the lesser-known Andrea Beaumont, aka the Phantasm. She’d be the perfect replacement for Catwoman: she’s a morally grey vigilante and a love interest for both Bruce and Batman.
Andrea Beaumont may actually be the next most likely choice for a female lead after Gilda Dent. She’s a great replacement for Selina Kyle for the reasons listed above, but she’d also allow The Batman Part II to dive further into Bruce Wayne’s character and his backstory. Nothing’s guaranteed yet, but it currently seems that The Batman Part II will need to find someone to replace Zoë Kravitz. Luckily, Matt Reeves has some great options to choose from.