FEATURE: Six BATMAN Villains Who Could Appear In BATMAN VS SUPERMAN
With all of the focus given to which Superman foe will show up in BATMAN VS SUPERMAN, it seems fitting to speculate on which Batman rogues could make an appearance as well. Who among Batman's villains is best suited to clash against both heroes? Hit the jump for more.
Everyone (including myself) is busy talking about Lex Luthor, but I find it hard to believe that we’d see Batman in a movie without him having a villain of his own. Sorting through his extensive gallery of rogues, this is a list of six villains who are best suited to appear in Batman vs Superman based on the themes they bring to the table, the way in which they develop Batman's character and history, and how easily they can be tied into Superman’s existing story. Check it out.
Black Mask
Disgusted by ideas of social status and humiliated by corporate failings, Roman Sionis adopted the mantle of Black Mask to overtake Gotham’s criminal underworld. Unremorseful, exceedingly violent and infinitely resourceful, Black Mask is one of the fiercest crime bosses around.
While he would have easily fit into the crime-driven Nolan world, even in this new universe, Gotham will be corrupt and dangerous, and who else to provide this danger than a psychopathic gangster like Black Mask? He immediately characterizes the setting, establishes a theme of crime, and can easily have criminal ties to Metropolis, perhaps with Intergang. His brash demeanor can also act like a foil to a more polished criminal partner, like Lex Luthor. It's also worth noting that his popularity will never be higher due to the upcoming release of Batman: Arkham Origins.
Who Could Play Him: Joel Kinnaman, Dominic West, Kyle Chandler, Scoot McNairy
Court of Owls
Since the dawn of Gotham City, this secret society has existed. With the help of acrobatic assassins called Talons, this faceless criminal cabal exerts control over the city from locations hidden within its oldest buildings. When Bruce Wayne vows to clean up and rebuild the city, the Court takes action and seeks to eliminate him and all those who would stand in their way of complete domination.
There’s nothing quite like the enemy that has eyes and ears everywhere. Anyone could be a member and no one can be believed, which can highlight Batman and Superman’s fundamental differences in trust, and their outlook on people. The Court offers a compelling look into the history of Gotham City, and the development of their narrative can also give us insight into Bruce Wayne’s backstory and lineage. But for Superman’s sake, who’s to say that haven’t spread to Metropolis and are resisting the city’s reconstruction? Or perhaps as Clark, he’s investigating into rumors of their existence when he comes across Batman for the first time.
Deadshot
No matter the version of his origin, Floyd Lawton is a master assassin born out of a troubled childhood. He works for hire but has a personal beef with Batman, who thwarted one of his earliest jobs and embarrassed him by discovering his hideout and replacing the bullets with blanks.
This early interaction with Deadshot conveys the incredible lengths that Batman will go to, and would simultaneously prove he is a great detective and a touch egotistical. In this way, a more minor foe like Deadshot highlights the differing methods that Batman and Superman use to fight crime. Deadshot is no master planner, and many times is shown to have some sense of morality, but at the end of the day, he’s best served as a smooth-talking hired gun working for a much smarter employer...and I swear I’ve been hearing rumors about some bald mastermind appearing in this movie.
Who Could Play Him: Corey Stoll, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Josh Holloway, Michael Raymond-James
Hugo Strange
One of Batman’s earliest recurring foes as well as one of the first to figure out his secret identity, Hugo Strange is a mad genius. Working as a psychiatrist tasked with catching Batman, he becomes obsessed with him, to the point of donning the cape and cowl himself to inhabit his identity.
Strange presents an intellectual threat but would need some sort of accomplice to physically battle the World’s Finest. He’s interesting because obsession with Batman would be a new angle to explore. The dynamic between him and Superman would be particularly fascinating since he would presumably be furious with him for stealing away Batman’s attention. He would also be able to help the audience understand Batman’s motivations very early on and deconstruct his character without being too obvious about it, and who's to say he couldn't deduce Superman's identity as well?
Who Could Play Him: Mandy Patinkin, Christoph Waltz, Robin Williams, John Noble
Mr. Freeze
Uninterested in Gotham or Batman, Victor Fries is obsessed with saving his wife and punishing those who hurt her. He seeks a cure for her medical condition by any means necessary and his ultimate goal puts Batman in an awkward position of wanting to help while still holding him accountable for his destruction.
Mr. Freeze certainly presents enough of a physical threat for Batman, although his suit would likely need some sort of upgrade to deal with Superman (make him run on kryptonite like Metallo?). Furthermore, his presence as a villain who is far from believable immediately separates this Batman from the realistic Nolan version. Freeze is also extremely compelling because of the moral quandary he provides for the two heroes. They’re in the business of helping people, but what can they do for those who cannot be helped? I really think the notion of helplessness, especially for Superman should be explored. And obviously we’re completely pretending the Schwarzenegger thing never happened.
Who Could Play Him: Alan Rickman, Stanley Tucci, David Strathairn, Hugh Laurie
Red Hood
Jason Todd, the second Robin, was beaten to death at the hands of the Joker. Years later, he reappears in Gotham, resurrected by a Lazarus Pit. His mission: to do what Batman can’t, finish off every criminal once and for all. Despite his fight against criminals and his current stance as an anti-hero, Red Hood very much starts off as an antagonist to Batman.
He’s capable enough to fight Batman, crafty enough to interact with Superman, and provides an outlook on justice unlike either of theirs. His presence can make them evaluate the way they operate, especially since Superman has killed to stop Zod, he has be able to morally separate himself from the Red Hood. But the main reason he works is because it provides an easy outlet into Batman’s past and his character. Without re-doing his origin, the presence of an ex-Robin allows for development of his backstory without spending half the movie in flashbacks.
Who Could Play Him: Aaron Paul, Jensen Ackles, Ian Somerhalder, Jack Huston
What do you think of these choices? Who do you want to see appear in the movie? Who should play them? Let me know in the comments.