Excitement surrounding The Batman Part 2 continues to grow. Reports have surfaced that MCU actor Sebastian Stan is in talks to join the highly anticipated DC sequel, and new details reveal that another major supervillain will also return.
Stan, widely known for portraying Bucky Barnes / The Winter Soldier in the MCU and for his acclaimed roles in The Apprentice and A Different Man, will reportedly play Harvey Dent, also known as Two-Face. This casting hints that the sequel will explore Gotham’s legal and moral corruption more deeply.
However, it appears that Dent will not be alone in his vendetta against Robert Pattinson’s Batman.
Barry Keoghan to Return in The Batman Part 2 as Joker
Buried within the Variety report about Stan’s casting was another major revelation. Variety reported that Barry Keoghan is expected to return as the Joker in The Batman Part 2.
“Barry Keoghan is also expected to appear once more as the Joker.”
While this does not serve as a full confirmation, it strongly hints that the Clown Prince of Crime will play a meaningful role in the sequel. Importantly, this aligns with director Matt Reeves’ reported inspiration from the DC comic storyline The Long Halloween, which heavily revolves around Harvey Dent’s downfall and Joker’s manipulation.
Why Joker’s Return Makes Narrative Sense
From a storytelling perspective, Joker’s return feels natural. His brief interaction with Batman in the first film established a psychological rivalry rather than a physical one.
As a result, The Batman Part 2 can build on that uneasy connection. Joker’s presence could also act as a catalyst, pushing Harvey Dent closer to his tragic transformation into Two-Face. Therefore, the sequel has an opportunity to explore how villains influence each other within Gotham’s broken system.
Avoiding Comparisons to The Dark Knight
The inclusion of both Two-Face and Joker may naturally invite comparisons to Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight. However, Matt Reeves’ Gotham exists in a far more grounded and noir-inspired world.
Instead of focusing on spectacle, The Batman Part 2 appears positioned to emphasize psychological tension, emotional trauma, and moral decay. Consequently, the sequel could feel more intimate and unsettling than past adaptations.
Barry Keoghan’s Joker Made a Powerful First Impression
Barry Keoghan’s Joker appeared briefly at the very end of The Batman. Additionally, a deleted scene gave audiences a clearer look at the character.
Despite limited screen time, Keoghan’s portrayal stood out. His Joker was severely disfigured, deeply disturbing, and unusually perceptive. Notably, he even managed to outmatch Batman’s detective instincts, adopting a Hannibal Lecter–like role within Arkham.
This brief appearance laid strong groundwork for a larger role in the sequel.
Barry Keoghan on Finding Humanity Beneath the Chaos
Keoghan later explained that he wanted his Joker to feel painfully human rather than cartoonish.
“I wanted some sort of human in there behind the makeup.”
He also clarified that Joker’s madness is partially performative.
“This is a façade he puts on.”
Ultimately, the actor described the character as emotionally shattered.
“He’s a broken-down boy.”
These comments suggest that Joker’s actions stem from trauma rather than pure chaos.
Matt Reeves Explains the Joker in The Batman Part 2
Director Matt Reeves revealed that his Joker draws inspiration from the 1928 horror classic The Man Who Laughs.
“One of the things that we talked a lot about was the idea that his worldview is formed by being disfigured from birth.”
He explained that Joker’s laughter reflects lifelong suffering.
“It was kind of like a cruel joke that life was playing on him.”
Reeves then expanded on how this pain defines Joker’s philosophy.
“His whole philosophy of life, and the laughing that he does in that kind of insidious, upsetting way, comes from the joke that has been played on him in his existence.”
Finally, he addressed the creative goal behind this approach.
“It’s dealing with the themes that are Joker themes, but to try and find a different way in, a different point of entry.”
The Batman Part 2 is currently scheduled for release on October 1, 2027. In addition to Sebastian Stan, reports suggest that Scarlett Johansson is also in talks to join the cast in an undisclosed role. With returning villains, new faces, and Matt Reeves continuing his vision, expectations for the sequel remain high.
The return of Joker alongside the introduction of Harvey Dent could make The Batman Part 2 one of DC’s most emotionally rich sequels. Rather than relying on spectacle, the film appears ready to dive deeper into Gotham’s psychological darkness.
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Patrick Webb