Is the DC Universe about to Get another One-Up on Marvel ahead of the ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Release?

Despite Avengers: Doomsday not premiering in movie theaters until December 18, with all the recent teaser clips with Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), and now members of the original live-action X-Men films, the Marvel movie is all moviegoers can talk about. The next installment in the Avengers franchise is so highly anticipated that experts already predict it will be the biggest box-office hit of 2026. 

Then there’s DC Comics and Warner Bros. In 2026, Marvel’s rival is slated to release both Supergirl and Clayface, but neither film is expected to do Avengers numbers. So how in the world could DC get a leg-up on Marvel ahead of the Avengers: Doomsday release? Two names — Scarlett Johansson and now Sebastian Stan.

Scarlett Johansson to Star in ‘The Batman Part II’. Will Sebastian Stan Join Her?

For many Marvel fans, it was quite the blow to see Johansson’s Black Widow character killed off the Avengers series in Endgame. She was one of the original Avengers, and despite Robert Downey Jr. returning to the series in Doomsday (whose Iron Man character was also killed in Endgame), Johansson has repeatedly stated that she won’t be returning to Marvel. In one such statement, she told pal Gwyneth Paltrow, “I’m done. Chapter is over. I kind of did all that I had to do.”

As it turns out, Marvel’s loss is DC’s gain as Scarlett is officially slated to appear in the upcoming TheBatman: Part II. Although her role in the movie has been kept under wraps, there’s widespread circulation that she could portray less of a hero and more of a villain like Gilda Dent (Two-Face’s wife) or Poison Ivy. 

Then, on January 6, a Deadline report began swirling in Hollywood that Sebastian Stan was being tapped to join Johansson in the new Batman film. His potential role is also being kept under wraps, but given the Oscar and Emmy-nominated star’s profile in the entertainment business, it’s safe to say a possible role in the DCU won’t be small. 

Additionally, if Stan joins his former co-star in The Batman: Part II, that would mean two heavyhitters from the MCU are crossing enemy lines into the DCU. Although, Marvel fans can breathe a sigh of relief as Stan is still slated to appear as Bucky, aka the Winter Soldier, in Avengers: Doomsday. 

Best Guess as to Who Sebastian Stan could Play in ‘The Batman: Part II’? 

Again, Stan has not officially signed on for the new Batman movie, and there is no word on what part he could potentially play. However, if users on X (formerly Twitter) are to be believed, Stan could be stepping into the shoes of Harvey Dent, aka Two-Face, a formidable villain of Batman’s. If this winds up happening, then it would be rather interesting to see Stan play Two-Face and Johannson portray his wife Gilda, who in one comic version becomes a serial killer. 
The Batman Part II isn’t set to hit theaters until the fall of 2027.