Sebastian Stan Eyes Batman Sequel After Riddler Hopes

Word is out that Sebastian Stan could be joining the cast of Matt Reeves’s next Batman instalment. Reports suggest he’s in discussions to appear alongside Robert Pattinson, though the exact part remains under wraps. As soon as the news broke, fans dug up a 2024 chat where Stan admitted he’d always fancied a go at one of Gotham’s more notorious baddies.

Back in a sit-down with Josh Horowitz on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Stan was quizzed about stepping into a superhero world outside the MCU. He confessed he’s always been drawn to the Batman universe, especially the enigmatic Riddler. In his words:

I don’t know if Batman’s for me, but never say never. I don’t know. There’s so many characters — I told you, I always had a soft spot for that Riddler, but that one’s been done.

Despite his interest, Stan won’t be donning the Riddler’s green suit if he lands a spot in the Elseworlds Batman films. Paul Dano’s already got that gig, having played the main villain in the first film.

Other Names Circling The Batman: Part II

Stan isn’t the only big name being tossed around for the sequel. There’s talk that Scarlett Johansson is also in the running for a major part. On top of that, Tobias Menzies is rumoured to be considered for Amadeus Arkham. Some punters have even thrown Brad Pitt’s name into the mix, though it’s a long shot he’d take on a supporting role.

All this speculation has only ramped up the buzz for the next chapter. However, it looks like Zoë Kravitz, who played Selina Kyle, won’t be back for round two. Meanwhile, Jeffrey Wright and Andy Serkis are set to return as Commissioner Gordon and Alfred Pennyworth. Barry Keoghan is tipped to have a bigger presence as the Joker, and Paul Dano might reprise his Riddler role. Colin Farrell will be back as Oz Cobb after his stint in The Penguin series, but Cristin Milioti’s return as Sofia Falcone is up in the air.

Stan’s Struggle With Villain Typecasting

Stan kicked off his acting journey as a kid in the 1994 film 71 Fragments of a Chronology of Chance. His first standout role was as a troubled teen causing chaos in Law & Order. After that, he found himself repeatedly cast as the bad bloke, from The Covenant to Hot Tub Time Machine, and as the resident troublemaker in Gossip Girl and Kings. By the time he landed the role of Captain America’s mate, he was well and truly over being boxed in as the villain.

He told Flaunt Magazine he wanted to be seen more like Paul Rudd, who’s known for being the industry’s lovable goof. As he put it:

I seem to keep ending up with these bad boy characters. I don’t understand what’s going on. I walk the street in New York feeling like I’m Paul Rudd or something, but apparently no one else sees it that way.

Later on, Stan’s villainous roles became more complex. His portrayal of Bucky Barnes in the MCU showed a character with plenty of layers, and Stan handled the shifts in his arc with skill. He’s also branched out into a range of roles, from Pam & Tommy and The Martian to Fresh, Sharper, A Different Man, and The Apprentice.

What’s Next for Gotham?

With all the casting rumours swirling, fans are keen to see how the next Batman film shapes up. The Batman: Part II is set to hit Aussie cinemas on 1 October 2027.