Sebastian Stan Reveals His Role in The Batman 2
The cast is already impressive!
It's finally official! In an interview with the French newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche, Sebastian Stan officially revealed which role he will play in "The Batman 2". It is, in fact, Harvey Dent. In the comics, the upstanding district attorney eventually becomes Two-Face, one of Batman's most famous adversaries.
However, Sebastian Stan isn't the only high-profile new addition. Charles Dance, known for his role in "Game of Thrones", is also part of the cast. Rumors suggest he might play Christopher Dent, Harvey Dent's father. Bryan Tyree Henry is also rumored to have a role; he may portray Detective Harvey Bullock. The character is also closely tied to the Gotham Police Department and could thus create an interesting connection between Batman, Harvey Dent, and the city's investigators.
Another particularly surprising rumor involves Scarlett Johansson. She is reportedly set to play the film's main antagonist: Poison Ivy. However, this information has not yet been officially confirmed. Director Matt Reeves recently announced via Vimeo that the U.S. theatrical release is now scheduled for February 18, 2028.
Harvey Dent and Two-Face: Portrayals in the Batman Movies So Far
Harvey Dent is one of the most fascinating characters in Batman's vast universe. As an idealistic district attorney, he initially fights on the side of the law before a tragedy transforms him into his dark alter ego, Two-Face. Over the years, the character has been reimagined for the big screen several times – with very different results. From Billy Dee Williams to Tommy Lee Jones and Aaron Eckhart to Harry Lawtey in "Joker: Folie à Deux", each actor has brought his own unique take on Harvey Dent to life.
Billy Dee Williams: Harvey Dent in Batman
Harvey Dent made his first major live-action film appearance in 1989 in Tim Burton's "Batman". He was played by Billy Dee Williams, who had not yet appeared as Two-Face at that time. Williams portrayed a respected Gotham District Attorney who, while not necessarily trusting Batman, was fundamentally on the side of the law. What's particularly interesting is that Williams was originally intended to have a more extensive arc. The idea was to further develop Harvey Dent in later films and eventually transform him into Two-Face. However, that never happened. The role was recast for "Batman Forever".
Tommy Lee Jones: The Over-the-Top Two-Face
In 1995, Tommy Lee Jones took on the role of Harvey Dent – or Two-Face – in "Batman Forever". Unlike Williams, Jones was able to play the character as a villain from the start. His version is significantly more comic-book-like and eccentric than later interpretations.
In the plot, Dent is disfigured by an acid attack during a trial. He subsequently blames Batman for his fate and transforms into the vengeful Two-Face. He is aided in this by two female henchwomen and the Riddler. Jones relied heavily on an exaggerated performance. His version of Two-Face thus fits perfectly with the deliberately over-the-top style of Joel Schumacher's "Batman Forever", but at the same time is a far cry from the tragic figure fans know from the comics.
Aaron Eckhart: The Most Tragic Version in The Dark Knight
Christopher Nolan took a completely different direction in 2008 with "The Dark Knight". Aaron Eckhart initially portrayed Harvey Dent as an idealistic and determined district attorney who wants to rid Gotham of organized crime. He is even referred to as the city's "White Knight".
His transformation into Two-Face is one of the most tragic moments in the entire "Dark Knight" trilogy. After Rachel Dawes dies and Dent is severely disfigured in an explosion, his faith in justice shatters. From then on, he decides matters of life and death by flipping a coin and blames those he holds responsible for Rachel's death for his own fate. Eckhart's portrayal is therefore less that of a classic supervillain and more that of a fallen hero. His story ends fatally in "The Dark Knight". However, his legacy still plays an important role in "The Dark Knight Rises".
Harry Lawtey: Harvey Dent in Joker: Folie à Deux
In "Joker: Folie à Deux" (2024), Harvey Dent received yet another reinterpretation. Harry Lawtey plays a young assistant district attorney who wants to bring Arthur Fleck to justice in court. While Dent isn't the central figure of the story, he plays an important role within the courtroom drama.
The finale is particularly interesting: During the trial, an explosion occurs in front of – or rather, at – the courthouse. As a result, one side of Dent's face is severely burned. In this way, the film offers a clear allusion to the origin of Two-Face without actually showing his complete transformation. Director Todd Phillips confirmed that the scene was deliberately designed as the origin story for the iconic disfigurement.