15 DC Villains Already Ruled Out of The Batman 2 (#1 Will Disappoint You)

The huge success of *The Batman* showed there’s a large audience for a Batman story focused on detective work. The positive reception to the *The Penguin* series further confirmed that director Matt Reeves’ approach is an important part of DC’s storytelling. This means that even as DC launches a new Batman within its main universe, Reeves’ more realistic, separate world will continue. After facing several delays, the sequel, *The Batman – Part II*, is now officially happening, with the script finished by Reeves and Mattson Tomlin, and filming set to start this spring.

Details about the plot of *The Batman – Part II* are still secret, but director Matt Reeves has hinted at who the next villain will be. He says it will be a character who hasn’t been prominently featured in a live-action Batman movie before. This immediately limits the possibilities, as most Batman villains have already appeared in animated films or comedies like *The LEGO Batman Movie*.

Keanu Reeves’s choice of words, especially using the word “really,” hints that he might be willing to reimagine a villain who’s only appeared briefly on screen before, or to present a familiar character in a completely new way. Even if we take his comment at face value and look only at past live-action movies, this clue already rules out at least 15 well-known villains. This count doesn’t include The Riddler (Paul Dano) or The Penguin (Colin Farrell), who both appeared in the first film and will likely return, or Catwoman (Zoë Kravitz), who isn’t considered a villain in this film series.

15) Clayface

DC Studios has confirmed that Clayface will not be appearing in *The Batman* universe, as they are already making a standalone movie about the character. Scheduled for release in September 2026, this film will be a terrifying body-horror thriller and a core part of the new DC Universe. While Clayface has been featured in live-action TV shows like *Gotham* and *Pennyworth*, this will be his first major movie appearance. The film, produced by Matt Reeves’ company, will tell the story of Matt Hagen (Tom Rhys Harries), an actor who undergoes a radical scientific experiment after a disfiguring accident. This ensures that this version of Clayface will be separate from the world of *The Batman*.

14) Calendar Man

Julian Day, also known as Calendar Man, has already appeared in a live-action movie, though it was a small role. He briefly showed up in James Gunn’s *The Suicide Squad* as a prisoner, even taunting another character. Because he’s already been portrayed on film, even in a minor capacity, he’s probably not a contender to be the main villain in *The Batman – Part II*. While director Matt Reeves has said he wants to explore characters that haven’t been done before, Calendar Man’s traditionally flamboyant and somewhat silly portrayal doesn’t fit the dark and realistic style of Reeves’ Batman universe.

13) Deathstroke

Joe Manganiello plays the dangerous assassin Slade Wilson, also known as Deathstroke, in the DC Extended Universe. He first appeared briefly after the credits of the *Justice League* movie, meeting with Lex Luthor. Manganiello returned as Deathstroke in *Zack Snyder’s Justice League*, both in a restored post-credits scene and as a member of Batman’s team in a dark, alternate future. Plans for a Deathstroke solo movie, and even a Batman film featuring Deathstroke as the villain (starring Ben Affleck), were considered, but ultimately cancelled. Despite this, the character is now a confirmed part of the DC movie universe.

12) Joker

The Joker has appeared in more movies than any other comic book villain, making him an unlikely choice given Matt Reeves’ preferences. The character’s live-action history dates back to Cesar Romero’s playful depiction in the 1966 *Batman* film. Jack Nicholson then gave a memorable performance in Tim Burton’s 1989 *Batman*, and Heath Ledger famously won an Oscar for his groundbreaking portrayal in *The Dark Knight*, which significantly shaped how the character was seen for years to come.

Jared Leto portrayed a divisive Joker in *Suicide Squad* and *Zack Snyder’s Justice League*, while Joaquin Phoenix won an Oscar for his performance in the standalone film *Joker*. Interestingly, Barry Keoghan has already played a version of the Joker within Matt Reeves’ Batman universe, appearing in a deleted scene and a quick cameo in *The Batman*. Although Keoghan might have a bigger part to play later, he can’t be a completely original, never-before-seen villain.

11) Two-Face

Two-Face, formerly Harvey Dent, is a key villain in Batman’s movie history, meaning he doesn’t qualify as a ‘new’ antagonist. He first appeared on film in 1989’s *Batman*, played by Billy Dee Williams, though Williams never portrayed the villainous side of the character. Tommy Lee Jones later played a flamboyant Two-Face in *Batman Forever*. However, Aaron Eckhart’s performance in *The Dark Knight* is often considered the most compelling cinematic version, offering a realistic and tragic portrayal of the character’s descent into villainy. Most recently, Harry Lawtey played Harvey Dent as a prosecutor in *Joker: Folie à Deux*. Because Two-Face has been featured prominently in several films, he’s already been well-explored as a movie villain.

10) Ra’s al Ghul and Talia al Ghul

Ra’s al Ghul and his daughter, Talia, were major villains in Christopher Nolan’s Batman films, making their return impossible. Liam Neeson played Ra’s in *Batman Begins*, initially as Bruce Wayne’s mentor before becoming the primary enemy. Marion Cotillard portrayed Talia in *The Dark Knight Rises*, cleverly disguised as an ally before being revealed as Ra’s daughter and the true force behind Bane’s plan. Because both leaders of the League of Shadows already served as central antagonists in such a popular movie trilogy, they are no longer options for future stories.

9) Harley Quinn

Harley Quinn is one of the most impactful villains in recent movie history, and her popularity continues to grow. Margot Robbie’s portrayal of the character first gained attention in the 2016 film *Suicide Squad*, and she later starred in *Birds of Prey* and returned for *The Suicide Squad*. The character’s widespread appeal has now led to another adaptation, *Joker: Folie à Deux*, where Lady Gaga plays a different version of Harley Quinn – Lee Quinzel – who develops a connection with Arthur Fleck while both are patients at Arkham Asylum.

8) Killer Croc

Waylon Jones, the villain known as Killer Croc, first appeared in the live-action movie *Suicide Squad*, played by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje. In that film, he was a member of Amanda Waller’s Task Force X, reluctantly using his incredible strength for the team. Because of this prominent and powerful portrayal, Killer Croc seems like an unusual fit for the more realistic tone and villain choices in *The Batman* and director Matt Reeves’ vision.

7) Deadshot

Will Smith played Floyd Lawton, also known as Deadshot, in the 2016 film *Suicide Squad*. Deadshot was a key character, given a detailed history and a major part in the team’s story and action. This important role in a popular movie solidifies Deadshot’s place among Batman villains who have been successfully brought to life on the big screen.

6) Poison Ivy

Poison Ivy, also known as Pamela Isley, has appeared in live-action once as a movie character, played by Uma Thurman in the 1997 film *Batman & Robin*. Her portrayal was a memorable part of the film, which is known for its over-the-top style. The movie showed how a talented plant scientist was wronged and left to die after being exposed to her own creations, ultimately gaining plant-based superpowers. While the film wasn’t well-received overall, Thurman’s performance as Poison Ivy is considered iconic and established the character as a major villain. She’s also been a recurring character on the TV show *Gotham*, expanding her presence beyond the comic books.

5) Victor Zsasz

Victor Zsasz, a serial killer known for marking his victims, has appeared in several live-action adaptations. He first appeared briefly in the film *Batman Begins*, played by Tim Booth as an Arkham Asylum escapee. More recently, Chris Messina portrayed a significantly larger role for Zsasz in the *Birds of Prey* movie, where he served as a cruel and dangerous assistant to the villain Black Mask and a major obstacle for Harley Quinn’s team. Zsasz has also been a recurring character in the television series *Gotham* and *Batwoman*.

4) Black Mask

In the 2020 film *Birds of Prey*, Roman Sionis, also known as Black Mask, was the main villain. Actor Ewan McGregor portrayed him as a violent, self-obsessed nightclub owner determined to control Gotham City’s criminal activity. Because Black Mask already served as the central antagonist in a major DC movie, he won’t be appearing as the villain in *The Batman – Part II*.

3) Bane

Bane is a villain famous for his strength and intelligence, and for being the one who seemingly defeated Batman. He first appeared in the film *Batman & Robin*, but was portrayed very differently than the character in the comics – as a simple, muscle-bound follower of Poison Ivy. This version lacked the strategic brilliance he’s known for. The character was completely reimagined in *The Dark Knight Rises*, where Tom Hardy gave a memorable performance. This Bane was both incredibly strong and a clever leader who nearly destroyed Gotham City. Because of his major role in a popular and critically acclaimed film, Bane has become one of the most recognizable villains in modern Batman movies, and is far from a forgotten character.

2) Scarecrow

Dr. Jonathan Crane, also known as the Scarecrow, was a key villain throughout Christopher Nolan’s *Dark Knight* trilogy. Cillian Murphy brilliantly played the character in all three films, making Scarecrow one of the most consistently featured villains in Batman’s cinematic history. In *Batman Begins*, he was a main enemy, teaming up with Ra’s al Ghul to spread fear throughout Gotham City. He made memorable appearances in *The Dark Knight*, where Batman captured him early on, and in *The Dark Knight Rises*, where he ran a disturbing court while Bane controlled the city. Because of his significant role across the entire trilogy, the Scarecrow is a fully developed and complex character on film.

1) Mr. Freeze

Though Mr. Freeze is a well-loved and heartbreaking villain in Batman’s world, he’s only appeared in one live-action movie. Arnold Schwarzenegger played the character in 1997’s *Batman & Robin*, and his performance was known for its many ice puns and a somewhat over-the-top, but sympathetic, reason for his actions – saving his dying wife. Despite the film being poorly received, Schwarzenegger’s Mr. Freeze was a major part of the movie and became a popular cultural icon. This makes him unsuitable for the new villain Matt Reeves hinted at, which will likely be disappointing to fans who were hoping to see a reimagined version of the character.

Okay, so everyone’s buzzing about who Matt Reeves might be bringing in as the big bad for *The Batman – Part II*. Honestly, the speculation is half the fun! I’m really curious to hear your theories – who do *you* think it’ll be? Head over to the ComicBook Forum and let’s talk it out – the discussion is already heating up!

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2025-09-19 18:12