7 ‘The Batman Part II’ Villains, Ranked By How Likely They Are

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Fans have been waiting a surprisingly long time for Matt Reeves’ The Batman Part II, especially considering the first movie came out in March 2022. Though the HBO series The Penguin helped keep fans engaged, it’s still a significant gap between films, with The Batman Part II now set to release on October 1, 2027. Reeves’ fresh take on Batman and Gotham City was a hit with both audiences and critics, building enormous excitement for the next installment in what’s being called the Batman Epic Crime Saga.

It’s taken a reasonable amount of time for director Matt Reeves and his team to write a script that lives up to the quality of the first, nearly three-hour-long Batman film. Throughout the history of live-action Batman movies, the villains have often been the most memorable part, as Batman’s enemies are just as famous as he is. Since the first movie came out, fans have been eagerly discussing who will challenge Robert Pattinson’s Batman next. Here are 7 potential villains for The Batman Part II, ranked from most to least likely.

Mr. Freeze


DC Comics

Many fans have asked for Mr. Freeze to appear in The Batman Part II, and director Matt Reeves has also considered the character. Reeves has said he’s fascinated by Victor Fries’ story and sees him as a complex villain whose powers and motivations would be interesting – and difficult – to portray realistically and with emotional depth.

Even though Keanu Reeves mentioning the character suggests it might not happen – the director is known for keeping secrets – the idea is still thrilling. A villain with a similar troubled past to Batman could be a compelling match, and it’s interesting to imagine how the director could realistically portray the character’s more outlandish traits, like his high-tech suits and weapons.

Two-Face


DC Comics
 

It seems deliberate that Harvey Dent hasn’t been mentioned in The Batman. With Gotham’s government in chaos after the Riddler’s attacks in the first movie, a new District Attorney is needed. This creates a natural opening for Harvey Dent to appear in The Batman Part II, setting the stage for his eventual transformation into a villain and tragic downfall.

Matt Reeves’s focus on realistic stories might result in a more case-of-the-week, horror-influenced take on Batman. Though it’s probably unlikely – Christopher Nolan already used a similar approach in his Batman films – exploring Two-Face’s psychological struggles and the theme of duality in the next Batman movie sounds really promising.

Dr. Simon Hurt


DC Comics

MovieWeb’s Richard Fink has convincingly suggested that Simon Hurt would be a great addition to The Batman Part II, and he definitely deserves consideration. Created by Grant Morrison, Hurt was cleverly woven into Batman’s history as a mysterious figure who appeared in a 1960s comic. He’s a villain focused on manipulation, questions of identity, and the buried secrets of Gotham – themes that resonate with other villains as well.

Because Matt Reeves enjoys focusing on the detective and mysterious side of Batman, choosing a lesser-known villain like Hurt could make The Batman Part II a surprisingly captivating sequel. This choice would also give Batman a unique challenge – a villain who understands him intimately and on a personal level, something we haven’t seen in previous films.

Hugo Strange


DC Comics

Matt Reeves’ vision of Gotham City doesn’t go as far towards gritty realism as Christopher Nolan’s films, nor does it embrace the fantastical gothic style of Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher. It strikes a balance between those approaches, creating a setting where a villain like Hugo Strange could flourish. Like the Riddler, Strange isn’t a powerful physical opponent; he’s a threat because of his intelligence and cunning, a recurring character in Batman comics and games.

Hugo Strange’s drive to reveal Batman’s identity, combined with his intelligence, could make The Batman Part II a more intense psychological thriller. He’s a realistic and disturbing villain, fitting the film’s dark, noir style, and offers a lot of interesting possibilities, as seen in stories like Batman: Arkham City.

Phantasm


Warner Bros. Animation

If Matt Reeves is looking for a villain with a tragic backstory and a dark, film-noir feel, the Phantasm would be a great pick. It’s interesting to note that this character actually debuted in the animated movie Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, not the comics. Because the Phantasm hasn’t been in a live-action film before, Reeves has a lot of creative freedom to develop the character while still honoring what made it successful in the animated version.

As a huge film fan, I was really intrigued to hear Scarlett Johansson might be joining The Batman Part II. It actually makes the possibility of Phantasm as the villain feel a lot more likely, and I’m excited about that! What I’ve always loved about Phantasm – Andrea Beaumont – is her history with Bruce Wayne. The idea of that past romance adding another layer of heartbreak for Bruce, something Matt Reeves could really dig into, is fantastic. Plus, she’s just a visually striking character with a really unique approach to dealing with Gotham’s criminals – she kills them, which is a bold move and would make for a compelling sequel.

Hush


DC Comics

Hush seems like a likely villain for The Batman Part II because the first film hinted at the character’s backstory. Specifically, a video by the Riddler mentioned Edward Elliot, Hush’s father. Considering The Batman heavily explored the Wayne family’s history and Bruce Wayne’s resulting trauma, Hush’s personal grudge feels like a logical continuation of the story.

Giving Robert Pattinson’s Batman an enemy with strong emotional ties to his family could create a more compelling and dramatic conflict than we’ve seen before. Director Matt Reeves could also use the villain Hush like in the popular comic book storyline – where Hush orchestrates attacks by manipulating other villains – allowing for a sequel with multiple antagonists and a larger scope.

The Court of Owls


DC Comics

As a huge fan of Matt Reeves’ vision for Batman, I’m really hoping we see more of the detective side of the character in the sequel. That’s why I think the Court of Owls would be a perfect villain. They’re not just a physical threat, but a real mental challenge for Bruce Wayne. The comic storyline where they first appeared was amazing – it’s all about Bruce uncovering a secret history of Gotham and realizing who really pulls the strings. It would be incredible to see that on the big screen!

The first Batman film focused on Bruce Wayne understanding what being Batman means – shifting from a quest for revenge to becoming a symbol of hope. The upcoming Batman Part II could take things even further by introducing the Court of Owls, creating a deeply unsettling crisis for the character. Batman is known for always being in control, and this mysterious organization would be perfect villains to shatter that image and challenge him like never before in a movie.

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2025-12-05 15:38