The Winter Soldier in Gotham? Sebastian Stan in Talks for The Batman Part II
It looks like two major stars from Marvel’s Captain America franchise might be jumping across the aisle to DC to join the world of Gotham City.
Sebastian Stan is reportedly in negotiations to join the cast of The Batman Part II.
Sebastian Stan, best known for his long-running role as Bucky Barnes / The Winter Soldier in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is reportedly in negotiations to join the cast of The Batman Part II. According to exclusive reports from Deadline, the actor is in early talks for a significant but currently undisclosed role. If the deal closes, Stan will join fellow Marvel alum Scarlett Johansson, who is also slated to star in the sequel. Production is expected to begin this spring, with a theatrical release set for October 1, 2027. Matt Reeves returns as director and co-writer alongside Mattson Tomlin (Terminator Zero). Returning cast members include Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Colin Farrell (fresh off his Golden Globe-winning turn in The Penguin), Jeffrey Wright, and Andy Serkis. According to Variety, Barry Keoghan is also expected to return, potentially playing a larger role as the Joker.
Sebastian Stan, who has portrayed James "Bucky" Barnes / The Winter Soldier since 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger, has become a cornerstone of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). In addition to his roles in the third and fourth Avengers films and the Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Stan starred in last year’s Thunderbolts* and is confirmed to return for the highly anticipated Avengers: Doomsday later this year. Beyond the world of superheroes, Stan’s career has reached new heights. He received an Emmy nomination for Pam & Tommy in 2022, won Best Actor awards at the Berlin International Film Festival and the Golden Globes for A Different Man in 2024, and was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance in The Apprentice last year.
The first installment of The Batman, released in 2022 during the tail end of the pandemic, was a critical and commercial triumph, grossing over $750 million and ranking as the seventh highest-grossing film of that year. Its success spawned the HBO spin-off series The Penguin, which saw Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti earn Golden Globe and Emmy awards for their respective roles. While The Batman Part II remains separate from the main DC Universe (DCU) timeline, the core DCU is also gaining momentum. Following the success of James Gunn's Superman last summer—which earned $600 million and ranked 10th at the 2025 box office—DC is moving forward with an ambitious slate:
June 2026: Supergirl (Film)
Summer 2026: Lanterns (Live-action series)
September 2026: Clayface (Film)
July 2027: Man of Tomorrow (Film)
The future of these franchises may be shaped by massive industry changes. Netflix is currently the lead bidder to acquire Warner Bros. Pictures (the parent company of DC Studios) for $83 billion. Although Paramount Pictures launched a $108 billion hostile takeover bid, the Warner Bros. board has officially recommended the Netflix deal to its shareholders, citing fewer financial risks. This acquisition could significantly impact how and where future DC stories are told.
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Photo: Marvel