“The Batman Part II” is underway, but the experience has been anything but easy for one of its newest cast members, Scarlett Johansson.
The highly anticipated film, currently scheduled to arrive in theaters in February 2027, has faced several developments. It has seen release-date changes and its director, Matt Reeves, temporarily stepping away to attend to a family matter.
Amid these developments, Johansson has opened up about the personal struggles she faced while preparing for her part, admitting the job left her questioning several things about her life.
Scarlett Johansson Got Candid About Navigating New Role In Marvel Sequel
During a recent interview, the “Iron Man 2” actress did not mince words about navigating the identity crisis she faced with the Gotham story.
When asked which of her upcoming films, including “The Exorcist: Martyrs,” challenged her the most, Johansson revealed it was the DC sequel.
“It gave me a lot of existential angst for some reason,” the 41-year-old told Entertainment Tonight.
“It was very hard to figure out,” she added. “I don’t know why, whether it was just the role or was just where I’m in my life, or what’s going on, but it was just hard to crack it. And that’s all I can say about it.”
The actress further described the experience as “tough in a lot of ways.” The “Jojo Rabbit” star joined the cast in May, although details about the identity and nature of her character have remained largely under wraps.
Other newcomers include Sebastian Stan, Charles Dance, Brian Tyree Henry, and Sebastian Koch, while Robert Pattinson is returning as the iconic Gotham vigilante.
Robert Pattinson Confirmed Production Resumed After Hiatus
Johansson’s comments come as filming continues. Pattinson recently confirmed that cameras were rolling again after Reeves took a break to deal with a family matter.
As The Blast reported, the English actor also expressed gratitude to filmmaker Steven Soderbergh for stepping in to assist during the director’s absence.
Pattinson praised his generosity, saying, “It’s incredibly generous of him, and he’s doing it in the loveliest way. It’s completely selfless.”
Steven Soderbergh Would Work Closely with Matt Reeves For The Project
Although Soderbergh is now steering the ship, Reeves is not completely out of the picture. In the studio’s statement announcing Soderbergh’s arrival, they explained the project is going to be a collaborative effort of the two filmmakers.
“Matt and Steven will work closely together with the actors and crew to fulfill Matt’s vision of the film,” their statement read, per The Blast.
Soderbergh confirmed this too, noting that he aims to produce footage that fits well with what’s already filmed so Reeves can complete the movie himself. He further praised Reeves’ work in the first part as “stunning, intentional, and rigorously coherent.”
Heidi Klum’s Halloween Costume Accidentally Revealed Villain Clues
While the crew keeps quiet about the story, an unexpected slip offered fans a peek. When Heidi Klum shared behind-the-scenes photos of her giant hand costume, eagle-eyed viewers noticed more than the outfit itself.
As The Blast reported, fans noticed a container tagged “Zsasz,” a face mold that looks like Brian Tyree Henry, which led some to guess he may be Two-Face, and a crate labeled “OWL 3,” suggesting the Court of Owls might show up.
The outfit was created by Mike Marino and his crew at Prosthetic Renaissance, the same group that contributed to the first movie.
The Exposed Details Hinted At Major Shift In Reeves’ Approach
If the leaked clues are anything to go by, the second installment could be taking a different direction from its predecessor, according to CBR.
Unlike the first film, which focused on grounded criminals such as the Riddler, the Court of Owls would introduce a much larger threat. The centuries-old organization secretly controls Gotham through wealthy elites and employs enhanced assassins known as Talons to eliminate its enemies.
Its possible arrival could also signal Batman’s progression as a crime fighter. Having gained more experience since the events of the first movie, Bruce Wayne could now face more dangerous opponents.
The development could also open the door for other extraordinary villains, including Poison Ivy and Mister Freeze, in future installments. However, these developments have not been confirmed by the studio.
