Scarlett Johansson Pursued The Batman 2 After Marvel Star Declined
Scarlett Johansson’s rumored casting in The Batman 2 has sparked a frenzy online, but she wasn’t the studio’s first pick. Find out which Marvel favorite was approached first and why Johansson was so determined to land the role.
News of Scarlett Johansson’s possible role in The Batman 2 has set social media abuzz, but behind the scenes, she wasn’t the initial choice for the mysterious part. According to industry chatter, Emma Stone was first in line for the role, which is rumored to be a new romantic interest for Bruce Wayne, especially since Zoë Kravitz is unlikely to reprise her part in the sequel.
Emma Stone Reportedly Passed on the Role
Stone, known for her work in The Amazing Spider-Man, was reportedly approached before Johansson. She’s said to have turned down the opportunity, echoing her decision to walk away from Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps due to disagreements over compensation.
I know [Stone] wanted a big payday for Marvel’s Fantastic Four movie, and I imagine she’d want the same for The Batman Part II,
an insider shared, suggesting that salary expectations played a major role in her decision to pass on the project.
Johansson Willing to Take a Pay Cut
After Stone declined, Johansson allegedly told her team to go after the part in Matt Reeves’ highly anticipated sequel, even if it meant accepting a lower salary. Despite her status as one of Hollywood’s most sought-after stars, she was reportedly open to negotiating her fee to secure the role.
Rumors suggest Johansson may have agreed to a smaller upfront payment in exchange for a share of the film’s profits, betting on the movie’s box office performance to boost her final earnings.
As a two-time Oscar nominee, Johansson doesn’t exactly come cheap, but I’ve heard whispers that she may have taken a lower salary upfront for The Batman Part II in exchange for points on the backend, ultimately betting on the success of the sequel.
This approach would tie her compensation to the film’s success, a move that shows her confidence in the project and its creative direction.
Production and Future Prospects
With production expected to kick off next year, anticipation is building for more updates about the cast and storyline. Johansson’s packed schedule, which includes leading the next Exorcist reboot, makes her reported willingness to accept a smaller paycheck for this role even more notable.
The Batman 2 is currently slated for release on October 1, 2027. Fans are already buzzing about Johansson’s potential debut in the DC universe and what her involvement could mean for the franchise moving forward.