Shadow and speculation surround new 'Batman'
A significant shift in the visual direction of 'The Batman Part II' is taking shape as Erik Messerschmidt steps in as cinematographer following Greig Fraser's departure, while separate reports suggest Scarlett Johansson is in talks to join the sequel.
Messerschmidt, an Oscar-winning director of photography known for his collaborations with David Fincher on 'Mindhunter', 'Mank' and 'The Killer', has been selected to take over cinematography duties after Fraser exited the project.
Fraser withdrew to focus on shooting all four of Sam Mendes' upcoming Beatles films, creating an opening that director Matt Reeves has now filled with what industry observers have called an "inspired" choice.
According to The InSneider, Messerschmidt is expected to complete work on Fincher's 'The Adventures of Cliff Booth' by January before transitioning directly onto Reeves' production, which is slated to begin filming between February and March.
His reputation for meticulous, atmospheric and tightly controlled visual work is seen as a strong fit for the grounded, noir-infused aesthetic established in Reeves' 2022 film.
Fraser's cinematography on 'The Batman' drew widespread admiration, including from Roger Deakins, who described it in a 2023 interview as "the best cinematography of 2022" and suggested its lack of Oscar recognition was due to "snobbery" toward major franchise films.
Fraser's broader body of work - which includes 'Dune', 'Dune: Part Two', 'Zero Dark Thirty', 'Foxcatcher' and 'Vice' - has set a high bar for the sequel's visual identity.
Despite the change behind the camera, Robert Pattinson is set to return as Bruce Wayne. Official casting announcements and plot details for 'The Batman Part II' remain under wraps, though updates are expected in the coming weeks as production gears up.
Separately, Scarlett Johansson is reportedly in final negotiations with the studio and Reeves for a role in the film, according to Deadline. The rumours, which began circulating online before being echoed by the industry outlet, have triggered waves of speculation among fans about which character the 41-year-old actor might portray.
The production has not indicated which role is under consideration, but suggestions dominating social media and Reddit threads include Andrea Beaumont — known as The Phantasm - and Poison Ivy, one of Gotham's most recognisable figures.
The mystery has intensified as it remains unclear whether Zoe Kravitz will reprise her role as Selina Kyle, leaving fans to debate how Reeves intends to shape the emotional and narrative direction of the sequel.
'The Batman Part II' is scheduled for release on October 1, 2027. As discussions continue, observers have noted which cast members appear unlikely to return and which have been confirmed, feeding sustained interest in one of the decade's most anticipated franchise entries.
The studio has not commented publicly on Johansson's reported negotiations, and her representatives have also declined to respond. Until an announcement is made, speculation is expected to continue as Reeves refines the next chapter of his Gotham saga.