Batman – Part IIThe main villain of is still unknown, but I am convinced that two characters will not be present after the latest spinoff series. There are many theories about who the next central antagonist in Matt Reeves’ Batman universe will be. The first film teased Barry Keoghan’s Joker, and Penguin now holds the greatest power over Gotham’s criminal underworld. However, many other DC villains in Batman’s catalog could emerge in the wake of the Riddler’s attack, challenging Batman and Gotham’s status quo.
The options are not unlimited, as Batman exists in a more grounded reality. Reeves’ universe is similar to Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, preferring the more realistic villains from the Caped Crusader catalog over the fantastical antagonists. The penguin expanded the criminal world of Gotham, while also showing how that universe is built on ordinary people who resort to despicable methods to achieve power and control. After watching The penguinI’m sure that Batman – Part II history will not validate two popular villain theories.
Freeze or Clayface would be out of place in Matt Reeves’ Batman universe
Two of the most popular theories for Batman the sequels are Mr. Freeze and Clayface. However, The penguin makes these theories more unrealistic. Freeze and Clayface are both fantastic for this universe and would feel completely out of place. While there is a way to humanize Mr. Freeze, a villain who uses a freeze ray and lives in an ice lair, it wouldn’t fit Batman‘stone. The same can be said for Clayface, a shape-shifting villain who is nearly impossible for Batman to fight due to his elastic, rubbery form.
Additionally, these characters would have a significant advantage over other criminals in Gotham. Any of these characters could quickly rise to the top, with Penguin and Joker being their only rivals. A Clayface mystery story could be worthwhile, with Batman constantly being fooled by Basil Karlo’s shape-shifting, but it would be too silly in Reeves’ gritty, grounded universe. The same can be said of Mr. Freeze, who has a complex story, but he wouldn’t fit the tone that Batman and The penguin established.
I still want to see Batman’s most fantastic villains, but in James Gunn’s DCU
The beauty of the DCU is that the Elseworlds projects exist separately from the main timeline. Reeves’ Batman universe can coexist with the DCU’s Batman. Since the DCU is set in a fantasy world with characters like Superman, Supergirl, Green Lantern, and the Creature Commandos, Batman’s fantasy villains fit perfectly into this universe. Reeves’ universe could be the more grounded side of Batmanwhile the DCU explores the supernatural and mystical characters from Batman’s catalogue.
The penguin and Batman has a unique tone and setting that doesn’t need to include characters that could be used in the DCU. Some characters, like Joker or Harvey Dent, could be used in both timelines, but others, like Poison Ivy or Mr. Freeze, would stick out like a sore thumb in Reeves’ universe. Other rumors of villains like the Court of Owls would fit Batman – Part II better, especially with Reeves’ focus on Batman’s detective skills. Freeze and Clayface are still excellent villains, and Gunn could use them brilliantly.
The Batman Part II is the sequel to Matt Reeve’s The Batman, released in 2022, and will pick up where the original film left off. The film shares a universe with HBO Max’s original Penguin series and sees the return of the Riddler and a different incarnation of the Joker.
- Release date
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October 2, 2026
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