If you haven't seen The Dark Knight, then steer clear from this article as I will give spoilers on that film.

Anyway, with all the positive reaction and massive box office that The Dark Knight has deservedly received, it makes sense Warner Brothers to greenlit a sequel and Christopher Nolan will almost certainly be attached to direct/co-write/produce. With the Joker and Two-Face, he gave two classic villains a nice modern Nolanesque twist, while still keeping with their traditional selves. Now, the talk is on who will be the villain in the next film. I have decided to put my picks on who should appear in the next film.

*Keep in mind that these are not predictions, but more my own personal picks. I'm also not exactly the #1 Batman fan. I have seen all the Burton, Schumacher and Nolan entries in the series as well as some episodes of the animated series. However, I'm only now making my way through my first Batman comic ("Blind Justice", for anybody interested).

Okay, here is my list for four possible villains:

1) The Riddler.

The Riddler seems to be the most obvious villain, considering the storyline with Mr Reese (Mysteries?) in The Dark Knight. Even though the Riddler's real name in the series and Schumacher's earlier film is Edward Nygma, I think Nolan can get away with a name change. After all, apparently, Rachel Dawes isn't even in the comics. He's a very interesting villain and maybe Nolan can give him a shot.

2) Poison Ivy.

 I know Christopher Nolan is trying to stray as clear away from Batman & Robin as possible, but I still think putting Pamela Isley in his series would work. In this day and age of enviromentalists, there are quite a lot of Pamela Isley's in the world out there and it would be an interesting commentary on how the Earth has turned "green." And if you look at Gotham, it's completely plant-less. That would drive any tree-hugger crazy. Considering Nolan wants to stare close to reality, I'd imagine he take away her "love dust." Nonetheless, there's still a lot he can work with.

Casting choice: As much as I loved Uma Thurman in Batman & Robin, the chances being cast in a new Batman film is low. Maybe Amy Adams? I can see her in the part and it would be nice to see her play a slightly more devilish role than her more innocent parts she has become known for.

3) Two-Face.

Yes, I did see the end of The Dark Knight, but I think Christopher Nolan is too smart to go the Spider-Man 3 route. Even though he did a terrific job with Harvey Dent's transformation from White Knight to Murdering Monster, I really would like to see them center a film around his reputation slowly becoming more obvious as people realise that Batman wasn't responsible for those murders. And maybe I have a foggy memory, but did Gordon or Wayne actually check Dent's pulse? If fulling onto cement earlier in the film didn't kill that gangster fellow, who says that falling from a similar height onto rubble would do the same to Dent?

4) Harley Quinn.

 This is the one I'm most hoping makes at least an appearance in the next Batman film. Whether Nolan has even seen the animated series, I don't know, but the fact that she got her own line of comic books should at least make him aware that she exists. In the end of The Dark Knight, it's not made 100% clear whether the Joker is killed up on that skyline or sent to Arkham Asylum. If the latter, then a certain Harley Quinzel might have done some psychiatry sessions with him. Charming him, she decides to try and get him freed. After being denied, she could go berzerk and for her "pudding", she turns into Harley Quinn and decides to go after the Caped Crusader and James Gordon. This is pretty much my guess on how the story would work, considering that they can't re-cast the part of the Joker. I think she would be a worthy choice as the next villain in the series as she definitely is a psychologically damaged character, despite trying to constantly get back into normal society.

Casting choice: Sienna Miller is the first to come to mind. For some reason, I can also see Jenna Fischer from The Office take on that role. There's also stage actress Sutton Foster, who seems suited enough for the part.

Are these worthy choices for Batman villains or are there others who should be in the next film?

Comments (16)

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written by Daffy , August 03, 2008

I heard somewhere that, if they use The Riddler, he will be played by none other then Johnny Depp.

I also agree with the assessment that Two-Face is not dead. He's just unconcious at the moment.

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written by Film Brain , August 03, 2008

SPOILER ALERT FOR THE DARK KNIGHT. I'm just going to add some superfluous text here just in case anyone catches this on the homepage.

Two-Face is definetly dead. Maroni took the fall on his leg. Two-Face landed on his back (or neck). The script says he is dead. The fact his good eye is shut, shows he is dead. If he was still alive, wouldn't that put some major holes in the "Batman is a bad guy" story?

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written by MrThumbsup , August 03, 2008

My choice for Harley Quinn: Helena Bonham Carter, from Sweeney Todd and Corpse Bride, currently wed to Tim Burton.

Also: who is Mr Reese? I don't remember any Reese.

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written by Film Brain , August 03, 2008

Mr. Reese is the accountnt that works for Wayne Enterprises. He discovers Batman's identity after a little digging and tries to declare it on Gotham Tonight when The Joker calls.

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written by ZGDK , August 03, 2008

I was thinking a combination of Bane and Dr. Hugo Strange.

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written by LordVonQuack , August 03, 2008

Riddler's casting is going to be interesting. I like Johnny Deep on the surface, but I think Hugo Weaving, Michael Emerson, or even Kelsey Grammar (I'm not crazy, just... sit on it for a moment) might make good casting calls too. I'd also like to see Mr. Freeze in a... well... not idiotic setting. He's one of the better designed villains, so I'd love to see him get a real role.

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written by SMcCall64 , August 03, 2008

I'd like to see a serious and realistic take on Mr. Freeze like in the animated series. As for the actor, I'd be happy with either Alan Rickman, Hugo Weaving, Patric Stewart, or Lawrence Fishburne playing the character (I know Freeze is white in the comics, but I think Fishburne could pull off the role).

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A thought........
written by xero817 , August 03, 2008

To take both a realistic and same story canvas of Nolan's work on the Batman film. The studio has the most push on what happens or doesn't unless they can be persuaded given the right story. So more than likley they're going to try and push that Robin be introduced. My question is should they bring in Dick Greyson for all the noobs, or go into the comics a little deeper with Jason Todd or Tim Drake? Naturaly is there's to be any sort of Nightwing spin off, we need Dick(bad).

All we need is look how there can be a challange for our Dark Knight, not just same shit differant day. Joker was a big push for Batman given the structure of it's last film. The stage now set Batman took the fall for Dent's murders so the criminals he put away would stay there. At first he was a wreckless vigillante, now he's wanted for murder and abandoned. However the only person alive from Dent's killing spree was officer Ramierez. She could vouch that Dent killed thoses people and let those scum loose again.

But the real question at hand here is who do we think will be our antagonist(s)? Riddler's nice, he's always been a personal favorate of mine. But is he suitable for the task at hand? Introduce the relationship between Catwoman and Batman(and not do that ressurection crap, just simply put her as a trill seeker/burgler)? Poison Ivy can be addapted easily as a suductress who uses plants to formulate differant poisons and weapons. They could introduce Black Mask as Gotham's new crime boss. But personaly, one villian that needs to be done right who was majorly done wrong is, Bane. Say a couple mob members are left and they hire a hitman from South America to take out the Batman. One big venom(the steroid kind) freak versus Batman. Sounds nice, but where does that leave the challnge Bruce Wayne faces in his every day struggle? Now that Lucious is gone, he's got to run Wayne Enterprises himself or at least untill he can have someone watch over the family buisiness while be can both get new gadgets and fight crime.

it all raises questions like these and then some. All we as fans can do is either wait till the next filmmaker takes over to do it justice or botch it up by the Schumacher curse. Wanner Brothers is doing their part by looking out for what'll rake in the most cash, that's it. We can only hope it don't sink to a new low.

Thank you for reading this far, it's only a comment. But sometimes the little footnotes are the best explainations.

- CGB (xero817)

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written by estefan , August 03, 2008

I don't know about Robin coming in, because a) Christian Bale said he would quit, if that happened and b) Nolan said that at the time of Batman Begins, Robin is still a baby.

And just for the record, Lucius didn't quit Wayne Enterprises. He said that if the cell phone machine was in the building, then he would quit. But, by typing his name into the machine, the machine is destroyed. Thus, he still works there.

As for your suggestions, they're pretty good. I especially like Catwoman simply being a regular burglar and of course, Poison Ivy.

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written by Prodigs , August 03, 2008

I'd like to see the Penguin, simply because he seems to be the only villain out there without a hateful past or psychotic tendencies. He's just a crime lord with a liking to fine class, deadly umbrellas and of course; birds.

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written by Ghostmayhem , August 03, 2008

I would definitely like to see Poison Ivy get her reputation back (from the god-awfulness of Joel Schumacher) but I think the two best choices are the Riddler and Two-Face. And as SOON as I typed that just now, I realized my mistake: BATMAN FOREVER ALREADY DID THAT...
So, I'll say Harley Quinn. That'd be an excellent way to continue the Spirit of the Joker, without the Actual Character. (Don't make me say "RIP Heath Ledger" like I say EVERY time I bring up the Joker....)
Also, I like your idea of a backstory for Harley, and yes, I'm positive that Joker was put in Arkham, which would make that backstory perfect.
However, how do you fit a character like Harley Quinn, who's so...y'know...happy and always says the word "Pudd'n" into a character in the Nolan Batman franchise, which really got off on being dark, evil, and barely "Cutesy" like Harley.
But, maybe they can make her SO cutesy she's absolutely diabolical.
Holy shit, that'd be really cool...

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written by Ghostmayhem , August 03, 2008

EDIT: Since I've read more of the peoples' comments since I posted the FIRST time, I'll just answer a few quick suggestions:

go into the comics a little deeper with Jason Todd or Tim Drake

You know, if there HAS to be a Robin in Nolan's series [and definitely not in the first 3. If they end up making an (absolutely HUGE, I know) 4-part series with Nolan, Then maybe Robin could be introduced. I mean, there's just so many Batman villains to cover!! ] it should be Tim Drake, yeah.
Wait, was HE the one who died, or was that Jason Todd?
EDIT: It was Todd, so I say go with him. Even though it wouldn't make sense to the timeline, it would be much more Nolan-style.
Heh...Nolan-style....

Two-Face is definetly dead. Maroni took the fall on his leg. Two-Face landed on his back (or neck). The script says he is dead. The fact his good eye is shut, shows he is dead. If he was still alive, wouldn't that put some major holes in the "Batman is a bad guy" story?

Yeah, you're right.
DAMN that sucks...
Riddler and Harley Quinn, then, maybe?
That would definitely be a gamble for Warner Bros., though, since they're both the same kind of villain (happy-go-lucky-psychotic, also like the classic Joker, penguin, and hell Every other classic Batman enemy) and that certain type of villain is what killed the Batman franchise in the FIRST place.
(again, may I refer you to Joel Schumacher?)

My choice for Harley Quinn: Helena Bonham Carter

I just creamed, shitted, and f**ked myself at the same time.
Please, please God don't ask me how that works...

No, but seriously, she would be a GREAT Harley Quinn...

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written by estefan , August 03, 2008

Well, I think Nolan can manage to fit Harley Quinn into his universe. While watching The Dark Knight, not once did I think of Jack Nicholson or Mark Hamill, so he can definitely make Quinn fit into that world.

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written by Movie-Brat , August 07, 2008

I'm going with The Riddler. Adding him for the next film makes sense for Nolan's vision.

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written by SgtSaintWetPaint , August 07, 2008

I think they really should recast The Joker. That might just be because ever since I was a kid he's been my favorite villain but when Joker said "I think we're going to be doing this for a long time" at the end of the dark knight that instantly made an imprint on my mind that he will be in the next movie. IF it was to take the course of the comics, Harley should break Joker out and they would become a duo. Riddler would be cool and the fact Mr Reese knows of Batmans identity is extremely similar to Riddler being the only villain to discover Batman's true identity. But I don't think the guy looks riddler enough to me though.

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Okay...
written by HarleyQuinn , August 14, 2008

1. Riddler would rule if he made it in. Reese being him, I doubt it. A Nolan Riddler would rule, maybe Nolan would make him TOTALLY different from Joker.

2. Ivy. Ivy woud be cool if it were a Gotham Girls type movie. Ivy, Catwoman, Harley, maybe even Batgirl. Ivy is a classic villain and seeing as Nolan in realistic she probably won't be too supernatural (love lipstick, control over plants) maybe just a crazy eco-terrorist.

3.Two Face I think is a definite in character. 1. His coin flip landed on good. 2. That was the same height that Maroni fell from as you said. 3. The "funeral" had no coffin. 4. Gordon could easily cover up something like that. I mean, introduce a character with his origin story...let him kill a few people...and then kill him off? I mean Two-Face is a very big guy in Batsie's Rouge Gallery. They can't just kill him off.

4. HARLEY!!!!! As much as I PRAY she will turn up in the next film, without Joker she's nothing. I can see a refrence of her studying Joker and going mad, but to be the main villain and get revenge on Batman...not Harley. Harley isn't...strong enough to do that. By herself. She needs Joker. NEEDS. And since I doubt they'll recast Heath, she's in a tough spot. As for her actress. I've heard Helena...please no. She is NOT Harley. Not. Not. It's like Depp for Riddler or Hatter. No. No.

5. What about Selina? Catwoman? You did catch that cat refrence right? It might be enough. Selina would be a great role in the 3rd movie. Great. I really think she will be picked. As much as I would LOVE for Michelle to come back, I doubt that will happen. I've heard Amy Adams and Angelina Jolie's name be thrown around. Jolie would be cool, fan boys would die to see her in a cat suit. Amy...uhhh, never seen her do serious roles so I don't know.

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