Matt Reeves is giving fans a glimpse of what’s ahead in “The Batman Part II,” revealing that the sequel will focus more on Bruce Wayne himself rather than just his masked persona. In a red carpet interview with Josh Horowitz, Reeves explained that while the first film emphasized Batman, the new installment will explore the man behind the cowl in ways previous films haven’t, keeping Robert Pattinson at the story’s center while weaving in Gotham’s villains.
The “Cloverfield” director also teased that the sequel’s antagonist is someone “never really been done in a movie before,” sparking a wave of speculation—here are ten villains fans theorize could be the mysterious new threat.
Hush
Although Hush has already appeared in movies, he continues to surface as a fan favorite when talk turns to possible villains for “The Batman: Part II.” Introduced in Batman #609, the character was crafted as a dark reflection of Bruce Wayne—someone with similar intelligence and resources who chose vengeance and manipulation over justice.
Thomas “Tommy” Elliot, once Bruce’s childhood friend, tried to kill his own parents to inherit their fortune, only to be thwarted when Dr. Thomas Wayne saved his mother’s life. Consumed by envy, Tommy became a skilled neurosurgeon and eventually allied with the Riddler after discovering Bruce’s secret identity. Disguised with bandages and calling himself Hush, he orchestrates elaborate schemes to destroy Batman both psychologically and physically. Despite his earlier screen appearances, many still see this calculating foe as a prime candidate for a deeper, more cinematic treatment.
Mr. Freeze
While Mr. Freeze has already made his mark on the big screen, he remains the name many fans mention first when discussing potential new villains for the next Batman film. Introduced in Batman #121 as Mr. Zero before taking on the more familiar name after the 1966 television series, the character began as a cold-hearted scientist whose body required sub-zero temperatures to survive. Armed with ice-based weapons and a specialized cryo-suit, he quickly became one of Gotham’s most distinctive rogues.
The version that resonates most today is the tragic reinvention from “Batman: The Animated Series” in 1992. This iteration transformed Victor Fries into a grieving husband who turned to crime in a desperate effort to save his terminally ill wife, Nora. That heartfelt origin was so acclaimed that DC Comics adopted it across most continuities and adaptations. With a rich mix of pathos and menace, Mr. Freeze remains a perennial favorite for fans who dream of seeing a darker, more emotionally charged portrayal in a future Batman movie.
Clayface
Clayface remains one of Batman’s most famous shape-shifting foes. The character debuted in Detective Comics #40 in 1940 as Basil Karlo, a B-movie actor who turned to crime. Over the decades several others have carried the mantle, including Matthew Hagen, Preston Payne, and Sondra Fuller, each gaining claylike bodies and the power to morph into almost any form.
Though his own movie is set for 2026—written by Mike Flanagan and starring Tom Rhys Harries—Clayface still surfaces in conversations about possible threats for the Dark Knight’s next adventure, a testament to his enduring appeal as both a formidable enemy and a sometimes reluctant ally.
Mad Hatter
The Mad Hatter, also known as Jervis Tetch, is a longtime Batman villain inspired by the eccentric character from “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” A brilliant but twisted scientist, he uses mind-control technology to manipulate and dominate his victims, making him one of Gotham’s most dangerous and enduring foes.
Over the years, the character has appeared in a wide range of media, from animated series and video games to live-action shows. He has been portrayed by actors including David Wayne, Benedict Samuel, and voiced by Roddy McDowall and Peter MacNicol, with a modern adaptation appearing in “Batwoman” as Liam Crandle.
Killer Moth
Drury Walker, better known as Killer Moth, has long served as a peculiar yet persistent adversary to Batman and Batgirl since his debut in Detective Comics #163 in 1951. Hoping to be a dark mirror to Batman, he wears a moth-themed costume with wings and relies on an array of gadgets, weapons, and traps to challenge Gotham’s heroes.
Over time, his character has been depicted both comically and seriously, sometimes highlighting his struggle with identity and purpose. Killer Moth has appeared in comics, animated series, and video games, making him a memorable if unconventional member of Batman’s rogues gallery.
Anarky
Lonnie Machin, better known as Anarky, is a politically driven antihero and occasional foe of Batman who debuted in Detective Comics #608 in 1989. A prodigious thinker, he uses his intelligence and radical philosophy to challenge corruption, capitalism, and injustice, blending social critique with personal reflections on individualism.
Anarky’s presence has spanned comics, animated series like “Beware the Batman,” video games such as “Batman: Arkham Origins,” and live-action in the Arrowverse’s “Arrow.”
Doctor Death
Doctor Death, real name Dr. Karl Hellfern, holds the distinction of being Batman’s first true supervillain, debuting in Detective Comics #29 back in 1939. Originally a scientist who created lethal chemical weapons to extort Gotham’s wealthy, he later evolved through the decades into a black-market dealer of biological toxins and, in modern stories, a disfigured former Wayne Enterprises scientist experimenting with deadly serums.
Across multiple eras—Golden Age, Bronze Age, and The New 52—his appearance and methods have changed, but his obsession with weaponized science remains constant. Though not as famous as Joker or Penguin, Doctor Death endures as a historic and chilling part of Batman’s rogues gallery.
Maxie Zeus
Maximilian “Maxie” Zeus is a delusional former history professor who believes himself to be the Greek god Zeus, transforming that obsession into a criminal empire in Gotham City. Introduced in Detective Comics #483 in 1979, he oscillates between moments of cunning leadership and periods of fragile sanity that land him back in Arkham Asylum.
Despite repeated escapes, his most human side surfaces through his love for his young daughter Medea, the one anchor that briefly pulls him toward reason.
The Scarecrow
The Scarecrow stands as one of Batman’s most psychologically disturbing foes, and even with his appearance in film by Cillian Murphy in “The Dark Knight” trilogy, fans continue to speculate about him as a potential villain.
He first appeared in World’s Finest Comics #3 in 1941 before being revived in the 1960s. Jonathan Crane, a former psychology professor tormented by childhood abuse, channels his obsession with fear into a potent hallucinogenic toxin, using it to exploit the deepest anxieties of Gotham City and its protector.
Court of Owls
The Court of Owls is one of Gotham’s most insidious threats, and while they have appeared on screen in animated and live-action adaptations, fans still name them as a possible menace. The secret society is made up of Gotham’s wealthiest and most influential citizens, operating in the shadows since the city’s founding. They employ deadly assassins known as Talons to enforce their will, maintaining an existence that is largely unknown to the general population.
The Court first appeared on screen in “Batman vs. Robin” in 2015 and later in the live-action “Gotham” series. They have continued to feature prominently in video games such as “Gotham Knights” and the 2023 television adaptation of the same name.