Sebastian Stan Eyes Move to the DC Universe for The Batman Part II Opposite Robert Pattinson

Marvel’s Winter Soldier may soon enter Gotham as Matt Reeves expands his dark Bat-verse ahead of the 2027 sequel

Sebastian Stan may be preparing to trade the Marvel Cinematic Universe for the shadowy streets of Gotham. The actor, best known for his long-running role as Bucky Barnes — the Winter Soldier — is reportedly in talks to join The Batman Part II, potentially starring opposite Robert Pattinson in Matt Reeves’ highly anticipated sequel.

If finalized, the move would mark a significant crossover between the two dominant comic-book universes, bringing one of Marvel’s most recognizable faces into DC’s grounded and noir-inspired Batman franchise. The sequel is scheduled to begin filming in spring 2026.

Stan has portrayed Bucky Barnes across multiple MCU projects since debuting in Captain America: The First Avenger in 2011. His most recent appearance came in Thunderbolts*, and he is set to reprise the role once again in the ensemble epic Avengers: Doomsday, slated for release on December 18. While Doomsday will lead directly into Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027, it remains unclear which cast members will continue into that final chapter.

Should Stan officially join The Batman Part II, he would follow a growing trend of Marvel alumni entering Reeves’ DC-led world. Earlier reports revealed that Scarlett Johansson — who famously portrayed Natasha Romanoff, also known as Black Widow — has also been in talks for a role in the sequel. Johansson has firmly ruled out returning to her Marvel character following Romanoff’s death in Avengers: Endgame, though she has expressed interest in directing within the MCU in the future.

Matt Reeves confirmed earlier this year that the script for The Batman Part II, co-written with Mattson Tomlin, has been completed. Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav later revealed that production is set to commence in spring 2026. The film is being produced by DC Studios co-heads James Gunn and Peter Safran alongside Dylan Clark.

Robert Pattinson will return as Bruce Wayne, with Jeffrey Wright reprising his role as Commissioner Jim Gordon and Andy Serkis once again portraying Alfred Pennyworth. Their return continues the carefully constructed Bat-verse that Reeves launched with The Batman in 2022.

That first installment proved both a critical and commercial success, grossing $772.3 million worldwide and establishing a darker, detective-driven interpretation of the iconic superhero. It also laid the foundation for a connected universe of films and series, including HBO’s acclaimed spinoff The Penguin.

Colin Farrell recently reprised his role as Oz Cobb in The Penguin, which directly bridges the narrative gap between the first film and the upcoming sequel. The series’ finale, featuring the Bat-Signal illuminating Gotham’s skyline, served as a clear narrative handoff. As Reeves has explained, the goal was to signal that Gotham’s story is far from over, with multiple characters on a potential collision course with Batman.

The Batman Part II is currently scheduled for release on October 1, 2027. If Sebastian Stan officially joins the cast, his presence would add further intrigue to a sequel already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated comic-book films of the decade — and a rare meeting point for stars who have helped define modern superhero cinema.