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Earlier this month, news broke that Scarlett Johansson was joining the cast of the new "The Batman - Part 2", much to the delight of fans. However, renowned entertainment journalist Jeff Sneider recently revealed that Johansson wasn't the production's first choice for "The Batman - Part 2," with other major actresses initially on the shortlist.
Sneider disclosed on his blog, The InSneider, that Emma Stone was the first actress offered the role, though her reasons for declining are unknown. Sneider speculated that Stone previously turned down the role of Invisible Woman in "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" due to Marvel Studios' low salary offer, suggesting a similar reason for this latest refusal.
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Sneider also mentioned that as soon as Johansson heard Stone had definitively passed, she immediately instructed her management team to clear her schedule and secure the role in "The Batman - Part 2." Johansson needed to adjust her schedule because she had also already committed to the sequel to "The Exorcist: Believer", requiring her to make additional time. Reportedly, Johansson even took a pay cut in exchange for a larger share of the backend box office profits.
Interestingly, Johansson's role in "The Exorcist: Believer" sequel also came to her after several other actresses declined. The production initially sought Angelina Jolie or Charlize Theron, but neither deal materialized. Ultimately, director Mike Flanagan decided to cast Johansson. Johansson is no stranger to being a second choice; her opportunity to play Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe arose only after Emily Blunt withdrew due to scheduling conflicts.
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As for Johansson's potential role, Sneider believes she will play Gilda Gold, wife of Harvey Dent, also known as Two-Face. He further speculated that Gilda and her husband might be revealed as the villain "Holiday Killer," mirroring the plot of the comic "Batman: The Long Halloween." Additionally, recent rumors suggested Brad Pitt was also in talks for "The Batman - Part 2" but the deal didn't go through. Sneider revealed that the role Pitt was discussing before his departure was actually Harvey's father.