New casting rumors for The Batman: Part II suggest a major departure from fan expectations. According to industry insider Jeff Sneider, Sebastian Stan will portray the serial killer Victor Zsasz , not Harvey Dent as previously rumored. Brian Tyree Henry is reportedly set to play Dent, while the Court of Owls will also appear in Matt Reeves' sequel.

Victor Zsasz: The Jigsaw-Like Serial Killer Replacing the Harvey Dent Rumors

Sebastian Stan, long assumed to be playing Harvey Dent (the eventual Two-Face), is instead reportedly taking on the role of Victor Zsasz, a wealthy businessman turned serial killer whose body count is literally etched into his skin. As Sneider reports, Zsasz's makeup requirements align with those originally thought to be for a disfigured Dent. Zsasz operates without a costume or gimmick, relying on pure brutality — a stark contrast to the more theatrical rogues in Batman's gallery. The source notes that Zsasz's method draws comparisons to Jigsaw from the Saw franchise, emphasizing a grounded horror that fits Reeves' realistic Gotham.

Court of Owls Confirmed: A Secret Society Beneath Gotham's Elite

Beyond Zsasz, Sneider confirms the inclusion of the Court of Owls, a centuries-old secret society of wealthy industrialists who covertly control Gotham. Their presence adds a layer of political conspiracy to the sequel, contrasting Zsasz's visceral threat. Sneider speculates that Charles Dance might play a grandmaster of the Court, while Scarlett Johansson could be his daughter — a character who dates Bruce Wayne in the comics. If this holds, the Court would serve as the structural corruption that Batman must dismantle, echoing the themes of systemic rot from the first film.

Scarlett Johansson and Charles Dance: The Two Unconfirmed Roles That Could Redefine the Plot

Neither Johansson's nor Dance's specific characters have been officially revealed. The source says only that they are playing "melds of lesser-known characters" rather than major comic book names. This fits Reeves' pattern of inventing fresh interpretations, but it leaves key questions open: What is Johansson's relationship to Bruce Wayne? Is Dance's character a mere puppet master or something more supernatural? These unknowns suggest the sequel may weave multiple narrative threads, with the Court as the overarching conspiracy and Zsasz as the immediate threat.

The Post-Flood Gotham: Why Zsasz's Modus Operandi Is Perfect for a Detective Story

As Sneider notes, the sequel takes place after the devastating floods seen in The Batman. With countless missing persons and a vulnerable population, a serial killer like Zsasz can prey on the forgotten without immediate detection. The source describes a "Sherlock Holmes versus Jack the Ripper" dynamic, positioning Batman as the world's greatest detective.. This grounded approach, focusing on a non-supernatural villain, allows Reeves to spotlight Batman's investigative skills rather than his gadgetry — a hallmark of the first film that fans praised.

Brian Tyree Henry's Harvey Dent: A Two-Face Transformation Delayed?

Brian Tyree Henry is reportedly set to play Harvey Dent, but Sneider indicates Dent may not transform into Two-Face in this film. This suggests a slow-burn arc, potentially building toward the villain's split personality in a third installment. It also means the sequel will not rehash the familiar origin story from previous Batman films, instead treating Dent as a tragic figure whose fall is yet to come. The casting of Henry, known for his nuanced performances, could anchor a human drama amid the chaos.