Much like Marvel's tactic with Spider-Man: Brand New Day, DC Studios is keeping its cards close to its chest when it comes to The Batman: Part 2's villain, but an old post from writer Mattson Tomlin could hint at who it could be.
Although it's only a little over a year before Robert Pattinson's caped crusader returns to our screens in The Batman 2, we still don't really know what the highly anticipated sequel will entail, or who Gotham's new big bad is. However, rumors of Scarlett Johansson's mystery role have started to swirl online, with multiple unofficial DC news pages stating that the star could be playing a grounded take on Poison Ivy.
Now, even though we must take this rumour with a grain of salt, co-writer Tomlin may have hinted at the role almost one year earlier. Back in July 2025, Tomlin shared the first Batman comic he ever read over on Twitter, Batman #181, published in June 1966. The comic marks Poison Ivy's DC Comics debut as she sparks trouble between Batman and Robin. Many DC fans think this could have been a sly hint at the upcoming installment, which makes a lot of sense now.
So, could Poison Ivy make an appearance? We haven't seen the villain on the big screen since Uma Thurman brought her to life in the 1997 movie Batman and Robin. The character has since appeared in multiple animated DC films and TV shows, and notably in the Batman Arkham games. However, if the villain were to enter Matt Reeves' moody Batman universe, we have a feeling she would look a lot different from Thurman's electric and eccentric villain.
The sequel may feature a string of DC baddies, as in addition to Poison Ivy rumours, Sebastian Stan and Brian Tyree Henry have also been cast in mystery roles, with many believing Stan will play sadistic serial killer Victor Zsasz and Henry will suit up as politician turned Two-Face, Harvey Dent. Behind-the-scenes snaps posted by Reeves also suggest that the criminal organisation known as the Court of Owls may play a major part in the new film.
Alongside Pattinson's Batman, the only confirmed characters for now are Andy Serkis's Alfred Pennyworth, Colin Farrell's Oz Cobb, Jeffrey Wright's Jim Gordon, Jayme Lawson as Bella Real, and Gil Perez-Abraham as Officer Martinez.
The Batman 2 is set to hit theaters on October 1, 2027. For more, check out our guide on how to watch the DC movies in order, and keep up with other upcoming DC movies and shows.
