Production has officially begun on Matt Reeves' The Batman - Part II, the sequel to the 2022 blockbuster that grossed approximately $772.3 million worldwide. The biggest news? A major casting swap: Brian Tyree Henry is now set to portray Harvey Dent/Two-Face, while Sebastian Stan — long rumored for that role — will instead reportedly play the lesser-known villain Victor Zsasz .. The parts for Scarlett Johansson and Charles Dance remain unannounced, fueling intense fan speculation.

Brian Tyree Henry Steps In as Harvey Dent After Sebastian Stan Shift

According to insider Jeff Sneider, as reported by multiple outlets, Brian Tyree Henry has been cast as Harvey Dent/Two-Face in The Batman - Part II. This represents a significant change from earlier industry speculation, which had pegged Sebastian Stan for the role. Sneider's reporting, which has proven reliable on DC casting matters, indicates that Stan is now attached to play Victor Zsasz, a serial killer who marks his victims with tally marks — a character previously depicted in the DCEU but with room for a fresh interpretation.

Victor Zsasz Enters the Spotlight: Sebastian Stan's Lesser-Known Role

Zsasz is a more obscure Batman adversary, but Reeves' franchise has already elevated lesser-known villains: Paul Dano's Riddler and Colin Farrell's Penguin became breakout hits. If Stan takes on Zsasz, as Sneider's report claims, it would continue the pattern of giving depth to second-tier rogues. The move also suggests that the sequel may lean harder into a dark, psychological thriller tone — consistent with Reeves' detective-noir vision. Neither Warner Bros. nor DC Studios have confirmed the casting, leaving room for further adjustments.

Scarlett Johansson and Charles Dance: The Unannounced Wildcards

Perhaps the most tantalizing mystery in the production involves Scarlett Johansson and Charles Dance. Both actors have been attached to the film, but their roles remain carefully guarded secrets. Johansson, a proven box-office draw, could be playing a new character or a classic Gotham figure like Silver St. Cloud or even a gender-swapped version of another villain. Dance, known for his commanding presence in Game of Thrones, might be ideal for a role such as Commissioner Loeb or a member of the Court of Owls. The report offers no hints, and fans are left to parse every leaked detail.

From $772.3 Million to The Penguin : Building Reeves' Gotham

Reeves' first The Batman was a commercial and critical success, earning over $772 million worldwide and establishing Robert Pattinson's brooding take on the Dark Knight. the universe expanded via the Max limited series The Penguin, in which Colin Farrell reprised his role.. That show deepened the criminal underworld of Gotham and set the stage for Part II to explore the fallout of the Riddler's attack. According to the source report, both the film and The Penguin are available on Max. The sequel's production start signals that Reeves is committed to a long-term arc, though a release date has yet to be announced by Warner Bros. or DC Studios.

When Will The Batman - Part II Release? Warner Bros. Stays Silent

Despite cameras rolling, no official release date has been set for The Batman - Part II. The original film debuted in March 2022, and given the scale of production, a 2026 or early 2027 launch seems plausible. The silence from Warner Bros. may be intentional: by leaving the date ambiguous, they maintain control over narrative hype and avoid competition with other DC projects. What remains unknown is whether the casting shake-ups are final — Sneider's reports are credible but not studio-confirmed — and how the revealed roles fit into the larger plot.. As production continues, one question lingers: will Robert Pattinson's Batman face a Three-Faced threat, or is Harvey Dent just the beginning?