Scarlett Johansson Turns Down Disney as She Joins The Batman 2 and The Exorcist

Scarlett Johansson is out as Mother Gothel in Disney's live-action Tangled, and it looks less like drama and more like scheduling triage. She is lining up roles tied to The Batman Part II and Mike Flanagan's Exorcist reboot, while Disney keeps pushing Tangled forward without her. Different lanes, same traffic.

Johansson pivots: Gotham and demons, not towers and lanterns

The Batman Part II chatter has been loud, but the most credible rumor is not the flashy fan-cast stuff. Insider Jeff Sneider says Johansson is expected to play Gilda Gold, Harvey Dent's wife. That is not confirmed by the filmmakers, but it tracks with where this sequel could go.

Quick refresher: Gilda Gold first showed up in Detective Comics #66 back in August 1942 and is tightly woven into Dent's slide into Two-Face. In Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale's The Long Halloween, Gilda delivers a private confession about the Holiday killings that only the reader gets to hear, not Gotham's justice system. If Johansson is Gilda, she is not a side note; she is the emotional center of Dent's tragedy. Honestly, a smarter fit than cramming her into a splashy villain role.

On the horror side, Johansson is leading Mike Flanagan's Exorcist reboot. THR says production starts in March in New York once Flanagan finishes Carrie, and Jacobi Jupe (fresh off Hamnet) has joined in a still-quiet role that is expected to be her son. Flanagan has already tried to calm the timeline panic:

'Production hasn't started, we need to finish CARRIE first. No way it's coming out next March. Nothing to worry about though.'

The movie is backed by Blumhouse and Morgan Creek, with Universal distributing after dropping $400 million on the Exorcist rights. Flanagan keeps calling this his scariest film yet and has been clear he is not just doing another 'possessed girl' riff. Expect something more morally heavy and spiritually unsettling.

Tangled update: tests are happening, just not with Johansson

Disney's remake machine is still humming after a mixed 2025, and Tangled is back in motion after tapping the brakes following the Snow White backlash. Johansson was briefly in the mix as Mother Gothel, then stepped aside. Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman) is still set to direct, and the plan is to shoot in the UK starting June 2026. No release date yet.

THR says Disney recently held screen tests and chemistry reads in London for Rapunzel and Flynn Rider. The Rapunzel shortlist includes Freya Skye, Sarah Catherine Hook, Olivia-Mai Barrett, and Tegan Croft. Lola Tung was in the conversation but could not test due to scheduling. The shift is notable: Disney is looking younger for Rapunzel, which suggests they want a fresher take instead of leaning on big-name casting. Losing Johansson removes a marquee name, yes, but it might also let Tangled define itself without the Marvel baggage that would trail her into Mother Gothel.

Where everything stands right now

• Johansson is no longer attached to Tangled's Mother Gothel.
• Tangled director: Michael Gracey. Target shoot: UK, June 2026. Release date: none yet.
• Disney held London tests for Rapunzel and Flynn Rider; Rapunzel shortlist includes Freya Skye, Sarah Catherine Hook, Olivia-Mai Barrett, and Tegan Croft. Lola Tung was considered but did not test due to scheduling.
• The Batman Part II: Johansson is rumored (not confirmed) to play Gilda Gold, Harvey Dent's wife, a major player in comics like The Long Halloween.
• Exorcist reboot: Johansson leads; Jacobi Jupe aboard in a likely son role. Flanagan shoots in New York starting March after wrapping Carrie. Backed by Blumhouse and Morgan Creek; Universal distributes after a $400 million rights deal. Flanagan promises his scariest movie yet and no repeat of the classic possessed-girl template.

Bottom line: Johansson's calendar filled up, Disney is recalibrating, and Tangled is quietly moving along with younger leads. Not the headline Disney probably wanted, but maybe the right version of the movie gets made because of it.