AFTER many years of being one of the headliners of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), it appears that Scarlett Johansson is jumping ship, as she is rumored to be in final discussions for a role in the upcoming “Batman: Part 2.”
Deadline reported on December 3 that Johansson is in final negotiations with DC Studios and director Matt Reeves for the anticipated second installment of “Batman,” which stars Robert Pattinson in the titular role.
Details of Johansson’s potential role have not been immediately revealed, but fans on X (formerly Twitter) are speculating that the actress could potentially portray the supervillain and antiheroine Andrea Beaumont, also known as The Phantasm, or Pamela Isley, best known as Poison Ivy.
Meanwhile, Variety reported that Zoe Kravitz, who played Catwoman in the first “Batman” film, is not expected to return for the second movie, according to sources with knowledge of the production.
The news came after Johansson was announced to headline a new “Exorcist” movie directed by horror filmmaker Mike Flanagan. If the actress officially joins DC Studios, it will mark her fourth major franchise after starring in Marvel films and in “Jurassic World: Rebirth.”
Johansson earlier became the highest-grossing lead actor in Hollywood for her work in “Jurassic World: Rebirth,” which earned $318 million during its global opening. Despite starting her career in theater, the actress’ star shone brighter after securing the role of Black Widow in the MCU.
Johansson made her first appearance in the MCU in 2010 with “Iron Man 2.” She later appeared in “The Avengers,” “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Captain America: Civil War,” “Avengers: Infinity War,” “Avengers: Endgame,” “Captain Marvel,” and her solo film “Black Widow.”
The actress previously earned two Academy Award nominations for her work in “Marriage Story” and “Jojo Rabbit.” She also headlined other major hits like “Lucy,” “Under the Skin,” and “Lost in Translation.” (Jessica Ann Evangelista © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
