Imagine this: Scarlett Johansson and Sebastian Stan, finally together on screen as a romantic couple... but not in the MCU! Is this the ultimate fan wish fulfillment Marvel Studios missed? It's looking like The Batman Part II might just deliver what Marvel fans have craved for years.
The buzz is building around The Batman Part II, with some seriously exciting casting announcements. Two actors known for their superhero roles are joining the Gotham fray. Scarlett Johansson, a former cornerstone of the MCU, is on board in a yet-to-be-revealed role. And right on her heels, Sebastian Stan, her old Avengers teammate, has also signed up, sparking immediate speculation about his Marvel future after Avengers: Doomsday. The secrecy surrounding Stan's role is thick, but the rumor mill is already churning!
Could Stan be stepping into the shoes of Harvey Dent, the charismatic DA destined to become Two-Face? It’s a role that seems tailor-made for his talents. But here's where it gets controversial... If the rumors about Johansson's character prove true, The Batman Part II could finally give us the on-screen Johansson/Stan romance that Marvel fans only dreamed about.
The MCU's Missed Opportunity: Black Widow and Winter Soldier's Unexplored Romance
If you only know Black Widow and Winter Soldier from the movies, you might be shocked to learn that their relationship has a whole other layer in the comics. In the source material, Bucky Barnes and Natasha Romanoff are, in fact, an item. Their complex and memorable dynamic began during Bucky's time in the Red Room, the infamous Soviet assassin training program, where he crossed paths with Natasha. Following the “Civil War” storyline, when Bucky briefly took on the mantle of Captain America, he and Natasha teamed up on numerous missions, facing off against villains like Red Skull.
Of course, given their shared history and troubled pasts, their relationship was never destined for a fairytale ending. In the comics, they've been torn apart time and again, including an instance where Natasha's memories were wiped by a Red Room assassin. These stories are some of the most compelling in Marvel comics, exploring the relationship between two former killers trying to find redemption. And this is the part most people miss... Marvel Studios chose to leave this dynamic unexplored on the big screen.
While many fans would have loved to see this romance blossom, it's understandable why it never made it into the films. Let’s be honest, there simply wasn't enough space for it. Nat and Bucky were often supporting characters in other heroes' solo movies or parts of the larger ensemble in the Avengers films. Johansson and Stan shared screen time in only four MCU movies. In Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Bucky was primarily a villain. Then, in Captain America: Civil War, Nat and a reformed Bucky ended up on opposite sides, and the film was already packed with the introduction of Black Panther and Spider-Man, along with the Avengers' fracturing. By the time Avengers: Infinity War rolled around, Thanos was the main threat, and Bucky spent most of Endgame dusted out of existence.
Realistically, there wasn't a natural place for a Nat/Bucky romance to develop organically within those films. The filmmakers wouldn't have had the time to properly establish it, leading to potential disappointment. Imagine the backlash if fans were excited about a romance that felt half-baked! If Nat and Bucky were going to have a relationship in the MCU, it would have needed to be a central focus in a Black Widow or Bucky solo project. In the comics, their history is so rich and captivating that anything less wouldn't have done it justice. Injecting it as mere fan service would have fallen flat.
The Batman Part II: A Chance to Correct a Perceived Wrong?
There are countless possibilities for the character Scarlett Johansson could play in The Batman Part II, and one rumor gaining traction is Gilda Gold, the wife of Harvey Dent. If Stan is cast as Dent, this could be a delightful twist for comic fans. It would be amusing to see Johansson and Stan as a romantic couple in their first DC movie, especially after Marvel never capitalized on their chemistry. If they display strong on-screen chemistry, Marvel fans might just feel a pang of what could have been.
Much of The Batman Part II is shrouded in secrecy, but Harvey Dent feels like a realistic addition, given what we know about Reeves' franchise. He's created a gritty, grounded Gotham City defined by organized crime. It would be logical to include Harvey Dent, who was dedicated to bringing down Gotham's criminals before his transformation into Two-Face. Granted, casting Stan as Dent would invite comparisons to The Dark Knight, but enough time has passed that viewers should be able to embrace a new iteration, especially one portrayed by a fan-favorite like Stan.
Bringing Gilda into the picture would be a smart way for The Batman Part II to distinguish itself from The Dark Knight. In Nolan's film, Dent was involved with Rachel Dawes, an original character created for the trilogy. Introducing Gilda would allow Reeves to showcase a different side of Dent's character, making his version stand out. While Gilda and Harvey aren't former assassins seeking redemption, their relationship is still filled with drama, offering The Batman Part II some exciting material. One possibility is adapting the Holiday Killer storyline with a unique spin.
Ultimately, whatever Reeves has planned should be a treat. With The Batman and The Penguin, he's proven his keen eye for casting and his ability to position actors to deliver compelling performances. The fact that his script for The Batman Part II attracted top-tier talent like Johansson and Stan suggests he has something truly special in store. Whether it's Gilda and Harvey or something entirely different, fans will be eager to learn more as The Batman Part II nears its release.
So, what do you think? Is this a chance for DC to give us what Marvel wouldn't? Could Stan and Johansson's chemistry light up Gotham in a way it never could in the MCU? Or are you happy with how Marvel handled the Black Widow/Winter Soldier dynamic? Leave your thoughts below and let's discuss!
