Top 3 choices for bat villains in the 3rd movie

[Bradpinder]

who are yours and why?
Mine:

Bane: A physical marvel who would give Batman a good go.

Deadshot: Plausable counterpart that would look great on screen.

Blackmask: Evil through and through that would also look good on screen.

[Schornforce]

I'd mentioned this in another thread, but my three?

Catwoman- she'd be a 'hero' inspired by Batman, but uses thievery to fund her activities (and add to the thrill). She would cross lines he wouldn't but have intentions that may make Batman question his own methods.

Riddler- he'd be a cross between his iconic self and present DCU Calculator. He would broker information to the 'villain' community, but only to those who can solve his riddles. Anyone else, he leaves clues to the authorities leading to their capture as he feels they aren't worth his time.

Two-Face- if alive, he'd get wind of Batman developing a possible romantic relationship with Catwoman and seek revenge, possibly changing Catwoman into a more villainous type far less trusting/admiring of Batman.

If Two-Face IS truly dead, however, then I choose:

Clayface- as people have stated, he was originally a sort of serial killer master of disguise. It would be interesting for Batman and him to be engaged in a battle of wits with Riddler playing the middle.

[AlistairCrane]

Catwoman Batman now needs a new love interest, and it's also time for him to deal with a villainess. Catwoman is the most iconic female character in the Batmythos, and her gritty past (prostitution, mother killed herself, father drank himself to death) works with the gritty "Dark Knight" world.

Penguin An adaptation of the Iceberg Lounge-owning mobster Penguin with a penchant for umbrellas and birds would work with Nolan's set-up and would further the organized crime elements of the story.

Riddler If only because the Riddler's presence would force Batman to actually use his detective skills.

[Chachi]

Two Face - The good guy Harvey Dent is "dead ", but Two Face is alive. He is hidden away in a secret wing of Arkham, where only Gordon and Batman know about.

Catwoman - I like the "hero" catburgular inspired by Batman. She would be a hero to the people of Gotham but her thievery would make her a nemesis to the Batman. Also would be Bruces new love interest.

Hush - If done right he could work. Maybe he is the secret doctor at Arkham that Bruce Wayne trusts since he is a long time freind of Bruces, & personally chose to take care of 2 face, but has his own evil plan to take over Gotham, finds out Bruce is Bats, and breaks an even crazier 2 face out of Arkham, while being an unknown adversary to Batman.

[the goddamn batman]

Riddler.

I guess, Catwoman could be cool... I trust in Nolan to do something good with her. I'd be fine with Two Face returning. I'd be okay with Scarecrow getting his ass handed to him again. Maybe Ra's coming back... or Talia. I dunno, mostly I just want a third Nolan/Bale Bat-film... with Riddler.

[PatchMadripoor]

Penguin An adaptation of the Iceberg Lounge-owning mobster Penguin with a penchant for umbrellas and birds would work with Nolan's set-up and would further the organized crime elements of the story.


Actually I think as a corrupt criminal profiler/counter insurgent brought in by Gotham PD to hunt Batman, and he takes over the crime he polices. A la, Paul Giamatti's in the movie Shoot Em Up. In this case link him back to Alfred Penyworth and Alfred's Black Ops days. Alfred's handler/mission leader.

Timothy Spall or Bob Hopkins, someone who can get demented when need be, and a bit of a Napoleon complex.

[The Xenos]

Catwoman - Not quite a villian. Not quite a hero. Definately a love interest. I'd like to finally see a sane version of Selina on screen.

Riddler - I just want to see a decent Riddler after the face we got with Carrey. We got a good Two Face, now I want to see Riddler redeemed. I don't want to see him as a killer though. Not that he isn't dangerous, but he's not on the same level as Joker or even Two Face.

Scarface - Some people think the character is lame. I think it's creepy and interesting if done right. I would love to see Nolan's take on the character.

Runners up? Another suggestion I heard was Hugo Strange. Certianly fits the time. Not sure what theme to use.

Actually, Mad Hatter might be done well in the films. Some suggest a pedophile overtone, but I wouldn't want to see it done too much. More so he's a Tim Leary-esque mind control freak with an Alice in Wonderland hangup. Plus maybe Gordon's daughter gets kidnapped as was shown in Batman Haunted Knight.

[Choppa]

Damn, how many threads like this are there going to be???

[InfiniteCombo]

1. The Red Hood - Can't have the Joker, this could work if they wanted to give it a try.

2. Harley Quinn - Joker copy cat perhaps? Played by Kristen Bell.

3. The Riddler - Played by Sam Rockwell.

[Monty_Cristo]

Riddler (as a celebrated FBI profiler who lets Batman drive him over the edge)
Bane (as a pupil of Ras)
Two-Face (if they can make his return plausible)

[Vidocq]

Wow, a lot of profilers, Guess what? Here is one More

Hugo Strange. As a Criminal Psychiatrist obscessed with Proving that Batman is Bruce Wayne, as He figured it out a few weeks before the film and decided to quit his job and took the newly opened position as head of Arkham Asylum (Just for kicks lets say that the Joker killed the last one during an interview to write a book about him, so the position was easy to get as no one wanted it). I see Him as a secondary Villain, Maybe played by Anthony Hopkins.

Catwoman, Why? because She is Fking Catwoman That's why!? But yeah as a love interset yadda yadda yadda. But as her original appeareance, No suit just a Jewel thief that no one has seen her face and is only known as ''The Cat''.

The Main Villain? BATMAN JONES TURNED EVIL! Yeah That would be awesome. If they are many Nay sayers to this, Zasz. Yeah, His Batman Begins Cameo didn't do him any Justice.


By The Way. Dent is Dead.... Life's a Bitch...... Deal With It.

[K-DoG7p7]

Talia
Catwoman
Some bigname Assasing working for Talia..


YES.. not top three.. but these three.. all of them together

[Alan2099]

Damn, how many threads like this are there going to be???

87 more. This year.

[ThreeDays]

I'd like to see the Mad Hatter and Catwoman. If they were to keep the Hatter's pedophilia and Catwoman's prostitution background, I'm sure they could work out some kind of thematic significance.

Not as a villain necessarily, but I also definitely want to see more Anna Ramirez. This character has a lot of potential (in either direction).

[Xybernauts]

This is a great idea for a thread, buI wish you had added a poll; graphs make it easier to see which characters are the most popular. Is it still possible to add a poll?

Anyway my top three are:

Riddler
Scarface,
Talia,

Runners-up:
the return of Ra-al-Ghul
Hush

[Young Avenger]

Riddler - Introduce him has being one of Gotham's best defectives. Have him lead the Manhunt against Batman. After a few failed capture attempts Nigma starts going a little crazy. He's never experinced failure and someone get the better of him so he goes over the edge. He starts going outside the law to setup a mystery for Batman to solve.

[The Beast Of Yucca Flats]

Bane and The Riddler*. I'm presently blanking on a third.


*I even can see James Urbaniak in the role

[GrifterWC]

Oswald Cobblepot could also be introduced as a businessman (The Iceberg Lounge) who always seems to be in Bruce Wayne's shadow no matter how much he donates to Gotham. Behind closed doors he's a blackmarketeer known as the "Penguin" supplying the criminals with guns, drugs and everything else.

Catwoman is inspired by what the Bat's doing in Gotham and decides she needs to do the same in the East End. However, she needs to steal to fund her fight on crime and Batman doesn't see that as a good thing.

Introduce Roman Sionis as an old friend of Bruce's that returns from Europe to re-start his Janus Cosmetic company but that's only a cover so he can seize control of Gotham's underworld as Black Mask.


I would like to see the 3rd movie end in Arkham where you see a door to a private cell room, you hear/see an explosion, through the smoke and debris you see Two-Face, then you hear a female voice say "Harvey, Mr J. says your free to go" then they pan to the hallway and you see Harley Quinn.

[stillanerd]

Someone on another website suggested that the next villain would have the follow the central theme that the Nolan Batman films have set-up. Begins was about fear. The Dark Knight was about escalation. And the third movie would have to be about identity. If that's the case, he argues that Black Mask would be an ideal villain for the next Batman film.

Roman Sionis is, for all practical purposes, is not just Batman's opposite but also Bruce Wayne's. You can have a set-up in which Sionis, orphaned like Bruce (but through deliberate murder of his parents as opposed to Bruce) and a long time friend (can even have it so they were college roommates if you want) is attempting to consolidate Wayne Enterprises with his own company, while at the same time he's working his way up the ladder in the criminal underworld in an effort to unmask Batman. In a sense, you have Black Mask story be a twisted version of Batman Begins combined with a cat and mouse game between himself and Batman, each of them sparring in both their civilian and masked identities not realizing their the same man. Plus, you've also got Black Mask's obsession with masks and torture to boot.

Likewise, this could allow for someone like Catwoman to enter the picture, in that Selina Kyle is attempting to bring down Sionis or the mob by robbing and sabatoging his businesses for what Sionis did to her sister or friend Holly, dressing herself as a Cat-inspired figure like Batman. Not only do you have a parallel in the sense that Catwoman has embraced revenge as opposed to Batman, but also you have additional conflict in that Bruce is trying to get past Rachel and along comes this new woman who, in some ways, reminds him of her. There's a lot of Batman: Year One, The Long Halloween, and even Batman Returns to used as influences, and it would also fit with the identity theme.

The Riddler, however, would also be a good fit, in that he'd provide an intellectual challenge and "beat the clock" angle that would conform to the pseudo-realism of Nolan's Batman. However, coming off the heals of the Joker, he might be seen as a retread considering his propensity for riddles and games, telegraphing his crimes, and always being one-step ahead of everybody else. For a third Batman film, you need a villain who was a little bit different.

It would be nice to have Two-Face again, but, in a way, his story was essentially told in The Dark Knight, although you could have a scenario for a later movie about the consequences of one's actions and the repetition of history in a later movie, with another character being Talia seeking revenge for her father's death, and the introduction of Robin as someone who, like Bruce, faced tragedy and is someone Bruce can guide.

[squeek2334]

Riddler.

I guess, Catwoman could be cool... I trust in Nolan to do something good with her. I'd be fine with Two Face returning. I'd be okay with Scarecrow getting his ass handed to him again. Maybe Ra's coming back... or Talia. I dunno, mostly I just want a third Nolan/Bale Bat-film... with Riddler.

I would really like to see a Nolan Riddler. I also think that Nolan could get a good Madhatter in there as well.

[Cornelius Stirk]

I'm excluding Two-Face, as he's probably d.o.a.


1. A proper Mr.Zsasz (not the brief nod to the fans from Begins)
2. Firefly
3. Black Mask

[PatchMadripoor]

...with another character being Talia seeking revenge for her father's death, and the introduction of Robin as someone who, like Bruce, faced tragedy and is someone Bruce can guide.

I hope they do not mix Talia and Catwoman into a single identity for a female sparring partner.

[Dr Cthulwho]

Riddler - Introduce him has being one of Gotham's best defectives. Have him lead the Manhunt against Batman. After a few failed capture attempts Nigma starts going a little crazy. He's never experinced failure and someone get the better of him so he goes over the edge. He starts going outside the law to setup a mystery for Batman to solve.

I like that idea. Although maybe they could have him as detective/investigator from outside of Gotham being "sent in" to take care of Batman. It would give the impression of Gotham being part of a larger nation, with the world outside taking notice (which would fit in with Nolan's more realistic style), as well as increase his "culture shock" when things don't work out for him, since Gotham affects people like no other.

But the Riddler would is definitely at the top of my list (I like the idea of David Tennant playing him, since its been mentioned around the boards).

Personally I think two main villains are enough, and it has worked in both BB and TDK. Three and it becomes cluttered (the Spiderman 3 syndrome).

The Penguin would be one of my other choices - perhaps portrayed as a more "business orientated villain", so his actions have more of an impact on Bruce and Wayne Enterprises side of Batman (or go with the arms smuggler option, that sounded good.)

And this might sound crazy, but "Tattooed Prisoner" (played Tiny 'Zeus' Lister) - I'd be very impressed if they found some way of turning him into Bane.

But I like the nods as well. In BB we had Mr.Zsasz (and a referance made to the Joker) and in TDK we had Scarecrow pop up again. I think if there was a character that was to pop up in that fashion I'd like it to be the Mad Hatter (perhaps to set the tone have Batman swooping in to save some kids from a Mad Hatter themed delusional predator).

[wolvie616]

the riddler(a p.i. who is as smart as batman, but has mafia ties, ,or is insane but nobody knows)
hush/black mask/red hood(one of these characters takes control of the mafia,and brings out a "war games" scenario)
talia al ghul(new head of the lotus orginization, wants revenge for her father's defeat, secondary villian bane as a bodyguard or right hand man)

introduce selina kyle as a love interest, but dont make her catwoman until a later movie

[PatchMadripoor]

- Deadshot: League of assassin's number one shooter/sniper. One of the survivors of Ra's Al Ghul's attack on Gotham and a grudge against the new guy.

- Azrael: League of assassin's 'ace in the hole' leader before Bruce was brought in. Rework the Order of St. Dumas into the League of Assasins. It fits and dueling dark knight motifs would be an interesting visual. The European counterpart to the American Bruce Wayne, who had fully given into the ways of the League, instead of renouncing them as Bruce had. He ends any of the League members who go rogue, hence Deadshot and Batman.

- Zsasz: One of the crazies inspired by the Joker who steps out on his own. the guy kills even when he is unconcious, he's that dedicated to the act of killing the 'flesh bags'.

[InfiniteCombo]

I hope they do not mix Talia and Catwoman into a single identity for a female sparring partner.

Agreed, but if they put both characters in and had Bruce figuring they are the same woman, only to find out they aren't... That could be interesting. Also I dig Patch's ideas. Although with Deadshot getting dealt with in the Gotham Knight, I hope they don't use him, for continuity's sake.

[Immortal]

In my opinion Hush doesn't have enough features int he actual comic to be in the movie, although I would like to see him in it.
Clayface, Killer Croc, Poison Ivy, and all the metahumans wouldn't fit it Nolan's Batman. Bane might work since he's basically just pumped full of steroids.

All the villains in the movies so far have been the psychological/philosophical villains with no superpowers.

For villains:
1. The Riddler (The best choice since he's a well known character, non superpowered, and has the psychological aspects that would fit Nolan's films. He also dealt with Batman's identity in the comics which was foreshadowed in the Dark Knight)
2. Huge Strange (Since Batmans's identity was almost revealed in The Dark Knight this could lead to Strange getting that information or maybe being behind it)
3. Black Mask
***Catwoman (If she is in the third movie I think she should start off as a villain then by the end be an ally or be neutral)

[Alan2099]

My first choice is Mad Hatter. "Twinkle Twinke Little Bat, how I wonder what you're at."

This is how I see it.
Jervis Tetch is a currently unemployed former children's TV show host. He's a single father of a sickly little girl named Alice.
Or was.
She dies, just sort of wastes away. This pretty much causes Jervis to snap. he basically blames the cold unfeeling city for this and decided he's going to make another better place for children. A world of whimsical madness.

With Nolan's movies leaning towards the more realistic side, I wanted a character who sees realism as a bad thing and the real world as something to be avoided. His "wonderland" (really a run down falling apart theme park and a section of sewer systems) would be presented much in the manner of a very seedy very low budget childrens show, the type that tries to be charming, but has a depressing and sometimes scary feeling towards it.

What the Mad Hatter is going to do is take the children of Gotham away, and he's not above hypnotizing them to do so... for their own good of course. I can also easily see a section of the movie where we see a group of expressionless dead eyed almost Village of the damned group of children armed with weapons sent to attack Batman.

Hatter's a nice, but completley delusional, and in his more sane moments, a melancholy individual. He just doesn't care a whit about adults anymore and seems somewhat detached even from his own sense of self preservation. He'd rather see the city itself burn to the grown than to see children have to "suffer" living in it.

The picture I get in my mind is basically Tom Petty from the music videos for Last Dance With Mary Jane and Don't Come Around Here No More and combine them into one character with the wardrobe of the original Willy Wonka movie. That's my Mad Hatter.

It wouldn't hurt if in certain scenes he actually carried around, danced, and tried to have parties with his dead daughter dressed in an Alice costume.

[pitbull in a skirt]

Rā's al Ghūl. Him and a minor villain. Sounds boring, I know. Subplot or character (non villain related) introduce Vicky Vale. I don't know why, I just like her name, that's all.

[ThreeDays]

[Mad Hatter suggestion with dead daughter, sewers, etc.]

Wow, that could be good. I don't usually share your opinions (okay, I never have before), but I like this quite a bit. Not what I was thinking of doing with the Mad Hatter (who I definitely want in the next one; my top choice), but I may actually like this better.

[Alan2099]

Wow, that could be good. I don't usually share your opinions (okay, I never have before), but I like this quite a bit. Not what I was thinking of doing with the Mad Hatter (who I definitely want in the next one; my top choice), but I may actually like this better.

Glad ya' like.

[d3moliti0n]

The Riddler, played by Jim Carrey. Yeah, seriously. I think he could do a good re-imagining of the Riddler and make it fit with Nolan's films.

[Xybernauts]

Someone on another website suggested that the next villain would have the follow the central theme that the Nolan Batman films have set-up. Begins was about fear. The Dark Knight was about escalation. And the third movie would have to be about identity. If that's the case, he argues that Black Mask would be an ideal villain for the next Batman film.

Roman Sionis is, for all practical purposes, is not just Batman's opposite but also Bruce Wayne's. You can have a set-up in which Sionis, orphaned like Bruce (but through deliberate murder of his parents as opposed to Bruce) and a long time friend (can even have it so they were college roommates if you want) is attempting to consolidate Wayne Enterprises with his own company, while at the same time he's working his way up the ladder in the criminal underworld in an effort to unmask Batman. In a sense, you have Black Mask story be a twisted version of Batman Begins combined with a cat and mouse game between himself and Batman, each of them sparring in both their civilian and masked identities not realizing their the same man. Plus, you've also got Black Mask's obsession with masks and torture to boot.

Likewise, this could allow for someone like Catwoman to enter the picture, in that Selina Kyle is attempting to bring down Sionis or the mob by robbing and sabatoging his businesses for what Sionis did to her sister or friend Holly, dressing herself as a Cat-inspired figure like Batman. Not only do you have a parallel in the sense that Catwoman has embraced revenge as opposed to Batman, but also you have additional conflict in that Bruce is trying to get past Rachel and along comes this new woman who, in some ways, reminds him of her. There's a lot of Batman: Year One, The Long Halloween, and even Batman Returns to used as influences, and it would also fit with the identity theme.

The Riddler, however, would also be a good fit, in that he'd provide an intellectual challenge and "beat the clock" angle that would conform to the pseudo-realism of Nolan's Batman. However, coming off the heals of the Joker, he might be seen as a retread considering his propensity for riddles and games, telegraphing his crimes, and always being one-step ahead of everybody else. For a third Batman film, you need a villain who was a little bit different.

It would be nice to have Two-Face again, but, in a way, his story was essentially told in The Dark Knight, although you could have a scenario for a later movie about the consequences of one's actions and the repetition of history in a later movie, with another character being Talia seeking revenge for her father's death, and the introduction of Robin as someone who, like Bruce, faced tragedy and is someone Bruce can guide.

I like some of your interpretations on what the theme of next batman movie should be, but I don't really agree with your character selections. I was thinking, maybe the villian Hush might work better to illustrate your points. He also has alot in common with Wayne, but he's Wayne's opposite. What makes his character work alittle better is his association to the Riddler. read the wiki exerpt below and you might get a sense of what I'm talking about. I think this would make the story flow alittle better.

I also think they should bring Ra-Al-Ghul back. I think this is very important because

Batman essentially killed Ra in BB and Batman doesn't kill. This would fix the quirk by accenting one of the defining aspects of Ra's character, his ability to resurrect. I'm not saying they should put anything supernatural in the movie (no Lazerues pit) but the concept would be implied. technically, in BB noone actually saw Ra die, we all just assumed so it's very possible he survived. Also, BB revolved around the idea of Theatrics. Ra taught Wayne about the importance of the use of theatrics. Perhaps the next Batman movie could apply this concept to Ra. Essentially, Ra's ability to 'ressurect' is the form of theatrics that he applies. He didn't actually die, but he creates that impression.
This would also help Talia make he debute, because what is Talia without Ra-Al-Ghul.
Maybe one of the movie themes might be mastery. In away Ra was the master who taught Wayne and so this movie could be about Batman teaching his own protege.



Hush:
Dr. Thomas Elliot was a childhood friend of Bruce Wayne (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Wayne). Like Bruce Wayne, Elliot was born into a wealthy family. Unlike Wayne, however, Elliot hated his parents. Driven by his desire for independence and wealth, he cut the brakes on his parents' car, causing a crash that killed his father. His mother was saved in an emergency operation by Dr. Thomas Wayne (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Wayne), which enraged young Elliot. His anger was fueled further by the subsequent murder of the Waynes, which put Bruce Wayne in just the situation Elliot had hoped to create for himself. Elliot's mother later succumbed to cancer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancer), leaving him with the family fortune. Although he went on to Harvard (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard) and became a successful surgeon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surgeon), Elliot continued to hold an irrational grudge towards his childhood friend.
At some point in his career, Elliot became the doctor of Edward Nigma (also known as the Riddler (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riddler)). During this mystical treatment, which renders the participant temporarily insane, the highly intelligent Nigma experienced an unexpected epiphany, realizing that Bruce Wayne was Batman. After discovering that they had a common hatred for Bruce Wayne, Elliot and the Riddler decided to pool resources to bring him down. To this end, Elliot created for himself the persona of Hush.


CATHOLIC AND PROUD OF IT:cool:

Me too :biggrin:

[Thamuz]

I'd like to see a combination of:

* Harley Quinn - attempting to continue The Joker's reign of destruction from the last movie - This would really only be a cameo role, though. You'd only see her once.

* Bane - A Mercenary bought off by a Mob boss with serious money. Maybe someone from the Falcone family. He could be sent to kill the Batman for busting Carmine's plans and imprisoning him.

* Two-Face - Have him live TDK and just have him try to destroy Batman's rivals, and Batman, if need be.

[The Xenos]

I've heard a rumor and two suggestions for Riddler. Gossip site Perez Hilton said Johnny Depp was rumored somehow. Then I've seen two interesting fan suggestions, Doctor Who's David Tennant and then I saw one person suggest Michael Emerson who plays Ben on Lost.

[Dr Cthulwho]

I've heard a rumor and two suggestions for Riddler. Gossip site Perez Hilton said Johnny Depp was rumored somehow. Then I've seen two interesting fan suggestions, Doctor Who's David Tennant and then I saw one person suggest Michael Emerson who plays Ben on Lost.

Depp might be interesting, especially after his turn as Sweeny Todd.

While my first pick would be David Tennant as Riddler, the suggestion of Michael Emerson sounds really good to. He does that whole disturbing yet intelligent thing very well.

[sparta28090]

Riddler - Introduce him has being one of Gotham's best defectives. Have him lead the Manhunt against Batman. After a few failed capture attempts Nigma starts going a little crazy. He's never experinced failure and someone get the better of him so he goes over the edge. He starts going outside the law to setup a mystery for Batman to solve.

Damn good idea! This is my top 3

1) Riddler (used in the the format above)
2) Two Face (I am not convinced he is dead)
3) Clay Face

2 and 3 being used to manipulate the Mob Underworld against the Gotham Police/Court System as Nolan has done so beautifully in the first two installments.

[SquidSquod]

Riddler, Hush, and Black Mask.

[Siddon]

1. Two-Face I think Two-Face is a critical villian to bring back, an essential part 2 to the Dark Knight. I can imagine him as a Harry Lime type figure who comes out of the shadows and kills/apprehends villians or commits crime. I also think Two-Face needs to be a murderer so I would remove some of the major villians and only use minor figures who could die in this film.

2. Scar-face/Ventriquist I think he's a major enough figure to focus a film around, and Doll's are creeppy. I could imagine a sort of rise of a villian type play with Scar-face, I also think that if they kill the Ventriquist it could come off as sentimental. As for who I would cast, Micheal Emerson from lost is the Ventriloquist.

3. Killer Croc, sewers a freak who doesn't just hide but also fights. It would be a great plot for Commish Gordon, tracking a character who is mostly looked at as a monster but also doesn't deserve to be imprisoned. I can think of two former actors who might be able to play Croc effectively , there was a time Vin Diesel was a legit actor, I think he could make a fascinating figure, another off the wall character would be Slyvester Stalone can act he has a number of decent performances(F.I.S.T., Copland, Rocky 1-6) over his thirty year career.

[BadRobot22]

1. The Riddler.
2. The Ventriloquist/Scarface.
3. Black Mask.
4. Harlequin.
5. Bane.

Riddler's the only one I really want to see. The other four are ones I'd like to see, but could live without. I'll be disappointed without Riddler.

I think ideally it'll be Riddler alongside Black Mask who is using Scarface as a hitman or something. Either that or Riddler and Harlequin. As much as I'd like to see proper Bane in the films, I think he'd not fit into the same story as Riddler.

[FreeFallin]

1.riddler- best and favorite pick, in the first movie batman had his streanght/training tested, in dark knight the joker tested batman (and gothams) morals, i think its finally time to see the detective brainy side of batman that the riddler bring out. want to see a more gothic cryptic riddler
2. bane- only because the last bane sucked so hard
3. catwoman- same as bane, but she should only be a side villian couldnt be the centric villian

[Xybernauts]

It's basically the same as the original thread, but it has a poll. I'm not trying to steal the original threads thunder, just want to see the most popular villain choices in the form of a poll. It's obvious the Riddler is very popular, but after that the lines get a little blurry. If you don't agree with the poll don't participate. Below is a list of common selections, the highlighted seem to be the most popular. This isn't meant to replace the original converation going on in the thread of the same name. It was created soley for the poll.

Bane
Deadshot:
Blackmask
Catwoman-
Riddler-
Two-Face-
Clayface-
Talia
Ra-al-Ghul
Black Mask
Penguin
Firefly
Hush
Scarecrow
Scarface/Ventriquist
Hugo Strange
Mad Hatter
Mr.Zsasz
Killer Croc
The Red Hood
Harley Quinn

[nepenthes]

Bane
Catwoman
Riddler (minor media and police based role)
Penguin (new mob boss)

and yes Detective Ramierez should definitlely return

[joku2]

i would have to say

Riddler

Talia Al Ghul

Scarface/ Ventriloquist

[kusanagi6913]

i would have to say

Riddler

Talia Al Ghul

Scarface/ Ventriloquist

I'm a pragmatist..TDK has made any Batman film follow-up a tough one. Nolan could mine this material for decades ala James Bond. To do that though...this next film will have to be very successful (not match TDK but certainly not under perform) and subtly move the universe into more fantasy, more comicbook appropriate flare and still offer depth like the 1st two Nolan films. Given how dark TDK was...I do believe the rumors (not just from goofy ass Perez Hilton but by real news outlets like NY Times and WSJ) that the next villains will be:

Riddler (played by Depp) with a more tighter focus on his obsession to win and outwit (I think of him like Light from Death Note)

and

Catwoman (Angelina Jolie)--which could explore Bruce's love life in a way that offers women something and at the same time, men.

Now, this is the most realistic villains you're going to get.

I love my comicbook bros/ sisters but the idea that Bane, Killer Croc, Mr. Freeze or an obscure villain like Black Mask and or Scarface (good as they are...I do very much agree) will appear is just fanboy wish fulfillment. Please consider the reality of hollywood, they can oversaturate it with complicated superheroey mess like these polls show and we all lose or they can go for a crowd pleasing, thematic shift with real hollywood actors and slowly move the franchise into more fantastic fare.

I've also heard a cameo by Phillip Seymour Hoffman as Penguin.

[TeamED209]

Riddle+ catwoman i could live with altho who's says there's going to be two villians?im a big bane fan but don't think he would work right now maybe if the series grows to a more than 3 or 4 movies we could see a almost knightfall movie...

I think a penguin vs blackmask gangster movie would be great perhaps with a real crazy pulling both their strings from behind the works ie riddler/re born ra's would be cool too, show some lazarus pits....sure there will be a joker cameo in the next one just not sure how it'll work...

There's so much to work with there that i think'll i'll trust whoever they chose to be great altho the quality of these superhero series always seems to dip heavily on the third try...ie x men, spiderman...hope batman 3 proves it wrong

[Xybernauts]

The Riddler, played by Jim Carrey. Yeah, seriously. I think he could do a good re-imagining of the Riddler and make it fit with Nolan's films.

Damn good idea! This is my top 3

1) Riddler (used in the the format above)
2) Two Face (I am not convinced he is dead)
3) Clay Face

2 and 3 being used to manipulate the Mob Underworld against the G otham Police/Court System as Nolan has done so beautifully in the first two installments.

I'm a pragmatist..TDK has made any Batman film follow-up a tough one. Nolan could mine this material for decades ala James Bond. To do that though...this next film will have to be very successful (not match TDK but certainly not under perform) and subtly move the universe into more fantasy, more comicbook appropriate flare and still offer depth like the 1st two Nolan films. Given how dark TDK was...I do believe the rumors (not just from goofy ass Perez Hilton but by real news outlets like NY Times and WSJ) that the next villains will be:

Riddler (played by Depp) with a more tighter focus on his obsession to win and outwit (I think of him like Light from Death Note)

and

Catwoman (Angelina Jolie)--which could explore Bruce's love life in a way that offers women something and at the same time, men.

Now, this is the most realistic villains you're going to get.

I love my comicbook bros/ sisters but the idea that Bane, Killer Croc, Mr. Freeze or an obscure villain like Black Mask and or Scarface (good as they are...I do very much agree) will appear is just fanboy wish fulfillment. Please consider the reality of hollywood, they can oversaturate it with complicated superheroey mess like these polls show and we all lose or they can go for a crowd pleasing, thematic shift with real hollywood actors and slowly move the franchise into more fantastic fare.

I've also heard a cameo by Phillip Seymour Hoffman as Penguin.

I think of the Riddler like the guy from the horror movie Saw. I'm talking about the character, not the actual actor. But instead of creating traps about survival, the traps would be about the game itself. I'd love to see Batman fall into a realistic looking trap like the one's in Saw and have to try and make his way out by outwitting the Riddler.

I also think Depp would make a very interesting Riddler. I also think Jim Carry could make an interesting Riddler if he portrayed a more modern down to earth version of the character.

I was thinking, is it possible that the goofy 60's version of the Joker and the Riddler were just gay. I mean from a realistic point of view, I think such a character (like Jim Carey's Riddler in Batman Forever) would be possible in a Nolan movie if they were blatantly gay :biggrin: Just a thought.

[Jim Thompson]

I went with Two-Face, Scarface/Ventriloquist and I'd like to see the original version of Clayface.

[Vic Vega]

Given the dark psuedo-realistic tone of the first two movies the only villians I could see working at all in a sequel are:Two-Face, Catwoman and Talia.

Blackmask would be anti-climatic after the Joker.

Riddler and Penguin don't suit the Nolan films tone and the Ventriloquist could only work in a horror movie context (the audience would not see that Scarface is really only a dummy until the final reel. Prior to that he'd only be seen from the ventriloquist's crazed viewpoint).

[Nodrog]

Talia could work. Though, I think she wouldn't be out for revenge. Using the love angle could work out. Throwing Catwoman in the mix can also work. Having Catwoman be a love interest for Batman and Talia for Bruce....though Talia would already know Bruce's identity. Anyhoo, having two love interest can work if written correctly.

I'm all for bringing back Ras Al Ghul.

[amazingfanboy]

I would love to see The Riddler played by Johnny Depp, Catwoman played by Jessica Biel, or Harley Quinn played by Jessica Alba. A Mad Hatter played by Christopher Walken would be fun to watch too. I also don't believe Two-Face is Dead and with Gotham Knight sporting Deadshot, I wouldn't be surprised if we found him in there played by someone like Jason Statham... or Killa Croc for that matter. Wouldn't mind seeing Man-Bat either.

[Ult. Fireboy]

I would like to see a Penguin enemy.

[Xybernauts]

I would love to see The Riddler played by Johnny Depp, Catwoman played by Jessica Biel, or Harley Quinn played by Jessica Alba. A Mad Hatter played by Christopher Walken would be fun to watch too. I also don't believe Two-Face is Dead and with Gotham Knight sporting Deadshot, I wouldn't be surprised if we found him in there played by someone like Jason Statham... or Killa Croc for that matter. Wouldn't mind seeing Man-Bat either.

I don't think Jessica Alba would make a very good Harley Quinn. She looks great and you want to like her, but truthfully, I don't think she can act her way out of a paper bag. Actually Gwen Stefani seems like a Harley Quinnish type. Does she act?

[JerryvonKramer]

So where's The Penguin?

[togeteiku42]

I would like to see the Ventriloquist as a crime lord. He work completely behind the scenes and go only by The Ventriloquist so that not even those working for him would know who he is. All his henchmen would work through his 2nd in cammand, Scarface. However Ventriloquist and Scarface are actually the same person, Arnold Wesker. Scarface would be an actual 2nd personality of Arnold Wesker.

[brundlefly]

Two-Face Batman was checking his vitals when he turned his head to the side before taking off at the end of TDK. Dent survived the fall and is shuttered away in Arkham Asylum as a "John Doe," with only Gordon & Batman knowing about it. He escapes, naturally, and wages war on both the mob and Gordon, Batman, and the police.

Riddler A genius master thief with a psychologial compulsion to tip the police off to his crimes through his riddles. Initially successful, until Batman starts solving his riddles and foiling his crimes. He can be a flamboyant villain, but not annoyingly manic like Carrey's spastic Riddler.

Penguin An underworld figure/arms dealer who earned the "Penguin" nickname for his penchant for formal wear and his short, rotund build. The Iceberg Lounge from the comics could work as his public front. Phillip Seymour Hoffman would be a great Penguin, imo.

Talia al Ghul "You killed my father;" yeah, you know the drill. She's got the backing of her dad's League of Shadows and continues his mission to lay waste to Gotham City while also avenging her father. Would love to see Ra's (in a nod to his comics immortality, he survived the train crash) come into play as a swerve, once his daughter fails.

Bane Locked away in a brutal prison as a child for his father's crimes, he used the whispered legends of a supernatural "Bat-man" in Gotham City as a motivator: an ultimate foe that he could train and prepare himself to one day face. While an onscreen "Knightfall" would be all kinds of cool, Bane's probably better off paired with Talia or Penguin ("work with me and I'll give you the Batman"), so long as he's not reduced to a 'roided-up mute imbecile like in Batman & Robin.

Deadshot A cold-blooded contract killer and expert marksman. I see him as working for one of the primary villains, like Scarecrow did for Ra's.

Ventriloquist/Scarface Could be extremely Ledger's Joker-level creepy if cast and written correctly. He's one of the new "freaks" taking over the Gotham underworld and vying with the traditional mob for control.

Hugo Strange Psychologist/biochemist who uses chemical means to enslave and enhance his underlings. He uses them as disposable pawns against Batman in his quest to understand him and to then prove himself superior by destroying him.

[TeamED209]

Would love to see man bat in some form maybe bane could be thrown in there with him and have a "fight triangle" if there is such a thing, and have one master villian pulling the strings ie ra's/riddler would be some sweet fight scene's if done nolans style could also introduce talia with ra's return

[Xybernauts]

So where's The Penguin?

I left him out of the poll. He didn't seem too popular and I had a limited number of slots on the poll. Only 10. Technically, it has been said Penguin isn't going to be in any Nolan movies anyway, so I thought it would be a waste of a slot to put him. They said Catwoman wouldn't be in a Nolan movie either, but she's really popular as the poll shows so I felt obligated to add her. I was able to create the poll on seperate thread and the moderator merged it with this one.

Would love to see man bat in some form maybe bane could be thrown in there with him and have a "fight triangle" if there is such a thing, and have one master villian pulling the strings ie ra's/riddler would be some sweet fight scene's if done nolans style could also introduce talia with ra's return

I think that's a great idea. I was thinking the same thing. I think it should be Talia pulling the strings.

[Nodrog]

I don't think Jessica Alba would make a very good Harley Quinn. She looks great and you want to like her, but truthfully, I don't think she can act her way out of a paper bag. Actually Gwen Stefani seems like a Harley Quinnish type. Does she act?

I think Cameron Diaz would work. She looks like she can do a good job of playing crazy.

[JerryvonKramer]

My biggest fear for this is that they won't go for a "marque" villain and opt for a lesser name instead -- I think that would suck. My hope is that this series runs to 4 films covering all the major villains. That would make it the "definitive" Batman on screen.

There's been a lot of talk of Phillip Seymour Hoffman possibly playing Penguin. That COULD kick ass if they found the right story. Trouble with the Penguin is that there's only so much you can do with him and Burton already did the "best" story (Penguin runs for Mayor). I think I like him in his "Iceberg Longue" role -- sort of semi-legit and removed from the action, but still in the know. Riddler could still be the main villain then. Weird as it sounds, I'd like to see Woody Harrelson play Riddler. The thought occurred to me watching No Country For Old Men. He'd LOOK perfect for it:

http://www.virginmedia.com/images/woody-harrelson-sag-280x400.jpg

Try to imagine him in a green suit.

So I went for Riddler with Penguin. Even if Penguin is not the "main" villain -- he could easily fill in the Carmine Falcone/ Mob boss role. Doesn't even need to be called "Penguin" that much.

Two things really bug me about what people think of Penguin and Riddler:

1. The idea that the Penguin is a lame villain. He's not ok, he's just been badly written or poorly utilised since the Frank Miller era, and, conversely, he was overused and played too much for comedy before that. He's still got fantastic potential, especially as a kingpin/ crime lord. You hear that Nolan?

2. The idea that the Riddler is a manic, laughing imbecile and is therefore "too similar to the Joker". He's not, he#s nothing like the Joker. Riddler is all about obsession and structure, Joker is all about chaos. Riddler is arguably Batman's most intelligent villain. Frank Gorshin's Riddler was awesome, but that's not really the essence of the character. If you want to see Riddler well done -- i.e. cerebral, controlled, obsessive, and twisted and driven by his need to outwit Batman through ingenious schemes (rather than by causing chaos) -- try to seek out the three Batman: The Animated Series episodes, "If You're So Smart, Why Aren't You Rich?", "What Is Reality?" and "Riddler's Reform" (or Hush).

[MercuryRising]

i think having clayface as the next major villian for the sequel would suck big time, it would turn the sequel into just another superhero movie. imagine a batman movie with incredible fight scenes and all of batman's new tech, very bond-ish

[kusanagi6913]

Given the dark psuedo-realistic tone of the first two movies the only villians I could see working at all in a sequel are:Two-Face, Catwoman and Talia.

Blackmask would be anti-climatic after the Joker.

Riddler and Penguin don't suit the Nolan films tone and the Ventriloquist could only work in a horror movie context (the audience would not see that Scarface is really only a dummy until the final reel. Prior to that he'd only be seen from the ventriloquist's crazed viewpoint).

I can't disagree more. Batman is capable of all sorts of story styles--hence why the ultra-realistic version with a clown faced terrorist exists along the filmic history of Burton's odd, action spectacles or the 60's pop-art kitsch and Timm's noir inspired superhero. I mean, you bought Two-face a guy who's face literally hung off like that with burnt clothes down one side or a man with a scarecrow mask and fear toxin but you would ahve trouble with Penguin or Riddler? come on man.

Riddler would be like my man Vid says, a Saw like master criminal who announces his crimes and pulls off complex capers with a riddle..the psychology of this exists in the real world..I trust you've heard of the Zodiac killer or BTK killer?

Likewise, Penguin is a mobster of the truest order..a short, angry gang leader with tastes towards high society and a penchant for destruction--yes, he would have his fantasy element in the umbrella thing (which is ironically in today's world..not even impossible) in Boston--he was called Whitey Bulger and was a true terror who lived outside the law for a very long time..and if that sort of gangster was played by Phillip Seymour Hoffman--come off it. You would understand it just as much as you did Scarecrow/ Two-face but more importantly, the mainstream people that Batman inspires (we're comicbook fans..you'd go see it if it wa Tattoo Man) would buy it.

Lastly, I still believe that Warners and Nolan will recognize that they have to shift tones while still playing a psychological theme..if Dark Knight was about sacrifice for the greater good then this next one with an Angelina Jolie fueled performance could ask the question could Batman ever seek happiness with someone else who wears a mask or is he destined to be alone.

Riddler/ Catwoman...as Joker says in the film.."Just watch..you'll see"

[kusanagi6913]

i think having clayface as the next major villian for the sequel would suck big time, it would turn the sequel into just another superhero movie. imagine a batman movie with incredible fight scenes and all of batman's new tech, very bond-ish

While I've been saying Batman could have legs like Bond if they just do this next movie right and don't shoot the cow like Spiderman 3 in an excess bit to be a 'trilogy' or to break the bank (especially when every fan and every Exec knows that you can make 10 to 20 movies of a good comicbook character if you take your time and not blow your wad)-- but I do think Clayface would not work right now. The success of TDK was too massive and that means the style must stay consistent for a bit before graduating any further.

I think without a doubt as I've often said and is backed up by major news outlets--that next film is Catwoman and Riddler (Jolie and Depp).

After that, if done successfully (not expecting TDK success but certainly better than BB's domestic tally ergo $300M)-then I think the style opens up:

B4 - Penguin, Bane (possibly Black Mask---mob war type movie)
B5 - Poison Ivy, Harly Quinn
B6 - Clayface, Scarface

[kusanagi6913]

I would love to see The Riddler played by Johnny Depp, Catwoman played by Jessica Biel, or Harley Quinn played by Jessica Alba. A Mad Hatter played by Christopher Walken would be fun to watch too. I also don't believe Two-Face is Dead and with Gotham Knight sporting Deadshot, I wouldn't be surprised if we found him in there played by someone like Jason Statham... or Killa Croc for that matter. Wouldn't mind seeing Man-Bat either.

Dude--while I think that Jolie could possibly be too skinny or too old by the time the next Batman takes off, you're dreaming if you think a director of Nolan's caliber would work with Biel or Alba for Catwoman (I couldn't even see them for Harley or Poison Ivy but as a mobster's girl..sure).

It's going to be an Oscar calibur actress just like Riddler and Penguin will be. There just is no way that Nolan and WB won't be able to attract high quality talent for the role and not have to line up for a non-star..TDK made $400M and won just about every major news site's BEST OF SUMMER award and not even Bale is a household name (not to mention Ledger who had he not died would still be a respected but non-BO A-lister and certainly not Gyllenhall).

After success of Iron Man and TDK--it's A-list Oscar Nominated actor time in Superhero role right now. Christopher walker has gotten too old but there are plenty of actors who could do that performance of Mad Hatter-- Anthony Hopkins maybe or Stellen Skarrsgaard.

[Schornforce]

I think Clayface would work well if he was the Basil Karlo serial killer/master of disguise version. Just a man who's an expert actor who goes around bumping people off.

As far as Riddler goes, I don't like the idea of Riddler being a psychotic 'Saw' like character. I think it'd work, but I just prefer Riddler being I dunno... higher class than that.

I preferred the aforementioned ideas of a profiler/detective or my suggestion of an information broker. Of Batman's foes, I prefer Riddler and Catwoman being the less lethal threats.

But of course, this is all preference and highly subjective.

[TeamED209]

Weird as it sounds, I'd like to see Woody Harrelson play Riddler. The thought occurred to me watching No Country For Old Men. He'd LOOK perfect for it

woody harrison is great but i still like the idea of having two more supernatural villians roaming around (Killer croc/bane/man bat/clay face-any of these) while a bigger villians is moving them around like a chess board (Ra's reborn/talia/riddler/two face maybe even\) that would differentiate the movie but still keep the essense of what nolans been trying to do

[JerryvonKramer]

I honestly think a Clayface/ Mad Hatter/ Killer Croc calibre villain would be a massive turnoff for mainstream fans afer TDK. People will be expecting Penguin/ Riddler/ Catwoman, why not give it to them while the iron's hot? I can imagine execs pulling their hair out to convince Nolan to include at least 1 mega-A-list villain that the "man on the street" knows.

That said, in using Ra's and Scarecrow as the villains in BB, I guess Nolan prooved that it is possible to make films with villains who are big in the comic but who haven't had big screen exposure.

Trouble is, I simply don't believe that Bane, Black Mask, Mad Hatter, Clayface or Croc are anywhere near as brillaint as Ra's or Scarecrow. Do you know what I mean? Ra's and Scarecrow are "marque" villians who just hadn't been used on screen before -- a bit like Two-Face before Batman Forever. Can you honestly say any of those I've just listed are in the same boat?

On a side note, I'd like to see a cameo for Hugo Strange. That would be a nice nod to the comics.

There's no "big" villain of the same stature screaming out to be used. Not at the expense of giving us Penguin/ Riddler/ Catwoman again.

[kusanagi6913]

I think Clayface would work well if he was the Basil Karlo serial killer/master of disguise version. Just a man who's an expert actor who goes around bumping people off.

As far as Riddler goes, I don't like the idea of Riddler being a psychotic 'Saw' like character. I think it'd work, but I just prefer Riddler being I dunno... higher class than that.

I preferred the aforementioned ideas of a profiler/detective or my suggestion of an information broker. Of Batman's foes, I prefer Riddler and Catwoman being the less lethal threats.

But of course, this is all preference and highly subjective.

I don't think Riddler has to be murderous per se..I meant just in the grounded complicated level of his plots. But, I think him being a broker is highly unlikely and quite honestly less fun. Again, Penguin would fit that mold better. But, given how big TDK was on the terrorism scale again I think a more devious, intimate plot is required and again Riddler and Catwoman (to the point I agree with you on them being lesser threats on the lethal level) would be the ideal choice.

While it is all preference and subjective, I'm being pragmatic. I'd love to see a live action Killer Croc or Clayface or Mr. Freeze but reality for an informed opinion (I work in hollywood unlike many of these posters) is that Batman to survive in its' current form has to be smart about how it develops, Spiderman 3 and Batman and Robin are perfect examples of huge flops (that made money) because they jsut crammed too much into too little and left bad tastes in consumers mouths...Batman has a chance to be a quality film franchise if it takes its' time and not blows its wad for every comicbook geek and takes its' time to cultivate the right progression of the series.

[kusanagi6913]

I honestly think a Clayface/ Mad Hatter/ Killer Croc calibre villain would be a massive turnoff for mainstream fans afer TDK. People will be expecting Penguin/ Riddler/ Catwoman, why not give it to them while the iron's hot? I can imagine execs pulling their hair out to convince Nolan to include at least 1 mega-A-list villain that the "man on the street" knows.

That said, in using Ra's and Scarecrow as the villains in BB, I guess Nolan prooved that it is possible to make films with villains who are big in the comic but who haven't had big screen exposure.

Trouble is, I simply don't believe that Bane, Black Mask, Mad Hatter, Clayface or Croc are anywhere near as brillaint as Ra's or Scarecrow. Do you know what I mean? Ra's and Scarecrow are "marque" villians who just hadn't been used on screen before -- a bit like Two-Face before Batman Forever. Can you honestly say any of those I've just listed are in the same boat?

On a side note, I'd like to see a cameo for Hugo Strange. That would be a nice nod to the comics.

There's no "big" villain of the same stature screaming out to be used. Not at the expense of giving us Penguin/ Riddler/ Catwoman again.

Agreed Jerry--I've been preaching this well on the board..being a fan is good but if you're not going to accept that we only have Batman and Iron Man films because of the mainstream consumer and just going to give away to fanboy desires, then you're missing the point. It's the fanboy push that has given us such wrecks as Batman and Robin, X-men 3, Spiderman 3 and to a lesser degree (a fanboyish love for Donner's film) Superman Returns.

Let's not ruin it for us when frachises like Bond, Die Hard and Bourne show that you can have plenty of films in a series without sacrificing the quality and writing and mainstream developments.

Riddler, Catwoman and Penguin cameo are the best strategy right now..and hell even then we have to hope to hell they tell a good story and not get bogged down trying to coast on the success of TDK.

[TeamED209]

Riddler, Catwoman and Penguin cameo are the best strategy right now..and hell even then we have to hope to hell they tell a good story and not get bogged down trying to coast on the success of TDK.

I don't agree with you there, im not a huge fan of clay face or mad hatter, but i think a movie involving these character's could do just as well as the previous movies, i think nolans proven that the actual villian you use isn't as important as how they are portrayed and used in a particular story..

Xmen 3/spiderman 3 were awful movies imo but they still grossed more than any other in the series...and i reckon there'll be more of those movies coming

I personally think any character or combination of characters could be used in the next movie and i think the choice will depend on exactly what type of story nolan wants to do and what he thinks the natural evolution of batman is...

In the next movie it looks like batman is going to hunted by the police and hated by the ppl of gotham maybe they could bring any of the villians in as a someone the cops/mayor use to bring him in?(bane as a super powered cop, perhaps deadshot/deathstroke.. ect)

But again i think nolans shown that contrary to what we believe the choice of villian doesn't make the movie successful or not, and after the momentum the last two movies have generated he could choose magpie and ppl would come watch! Imo anyway

[kusanagi6913]

I don't agree with you there, im not a huge fan of clay face or mad hatter, but i think a movie involving these character's could do just as well as the previous movies, i think nolans proven that the actual villian you use isn't as important as how they are portrayed and used in a particular story..

Xmen 3/spiderman 3 were awful movies imo but they still grossed more than any other in the series...and i reckon there'll be more of those movies coming

I personally think any character or combination of characters could be used in the next movie and i think the choice will depend on exactly what type of story nolan wants to do and what he thinks the natural evolution of batman is...

In the next movie it looks like batman is going to hunted by the police and hated by the ppl of gotham maybe they could bring any of the villians in as a someone the cops/mayor use to bring him in?(bane as a super powered cop, perhaps deadshot/deathstroke.. ect)

But again i think nolans shown that contrary to what we believe the choice of villian doesn't make the movie successful or not, and after the momentum the last two movies have generated he could choose magpie and ppl would come watch! Imo anyway

You raise great points and not unlike what I've said in several of my posts Nolan is capable of truly delivering quality deliveries from the villains although to be fair..Timm and crew were the 1st to show this on BTAS and it worked so well that hack-meister Schumacher adapted it for Mr. Freeze in Batman and Robin as well.

Still, I think that the realities of Hollywood and blockbuster film franchises do not fit with what you're suggesting. Nolan's TDK is thematically in line with BB amped up on the destruction scale whereas BB was a much more intimate film dealing with Batman's origin. In fact, while I salute Nolan's work on BB's villains..the actual truth of the matter is that he could have used Calendar Man and Clock King and still had a reasonable and critically acclaimed hit because the 1st film was about Bruce becoming Batman. Hence the effective but relatively sparse showing for Scarecrow.

So, accepting the realities of the modern blockbusters like Bourne Identity--I just cannot see a huge departure from the success of the 1st two film and have it be strong for a sequel. Ofcourse Matt Hagen (CF) and/ or Jervis Tetch (Mad Hatter) could be effectively pulled off in a Batman film but what the mainstream fans that made this franchise a MONSTER hit (BB had a domestic gross of $200M--TDK is on path to better that by more than $200M--no Spiderman flick did that percentage better than previous..nor did X-men) will expect is recognizable villains portrayed with the same incredible realism and depth. Start introducing a character who can change shape at will and/ or a lonely man who can control people with special chips or hats and I think you're going to alienate the mainstream fans who finally are coming around to our culture the comicbook geek culture.

That's why I believe if the studio is smart..they'll wave off the fanboys lust (because honestly, all of us will see the next Batman even if the villain is Batmite) and instead continue Nolan's theme with a pair of very well-known villains who could help to overextend the realism context of the franchise and help to gradually move it into the next level of Batman's more fantastic characters.

Honestly, I want this version of Batman to survive for several films..not just three. I want to see Robin and Mr. Freeze and Killer Croc and so on and the only way to get there is by getting the much needed third film to build and cement these new fans that came thanks to TDK.

Lastly, I do not wish to see characters appropriated for filmmakers wants..hence Juggernaut in X-3 and Venom in Spidey 3. If you believe Nolan can work magic with lesser villains then why do you want to inject some loony idea like turning Bane into a supercop?

[Dark Master]

My choices are:

1)Hush
2)Bane
3)Phantasm

[humpa]

For me.

1. The Riddler (main villain & story)
2. Catwoman (love-villain interest & part of main story as well)
3. Mad hatter (side lesser villain char story)

[protege]

My biggest fear for this is that they won't go for a "marque" villain and opt for a lesser name instead -- I think that would suck. My hope is that this series runs to 4 films covering all the major villains. That would make it the "definitive" Batman on screen.

There's been a lot of talk of Phillip Seymour Hoffman possibly playing Penguin. That COULD kick ass if they found the right story. Trouble with the Penguin is that there's only so much you can do with him and Burton already did the "best" story (Penguin runs for Mayor). I think I like him in his "Iceberg Longue" role -- sort of semi-legit and removed from the action, but still in the know. Riddler could still be the main villain then. Weird as it sounds, I'd like to see Woody Harrelson play Riddler. The thought occurred to me watching No Country For Old Men. He'd LOOK perfect for it:

http://www.virginmedia.com/images/woody-harrelson-sag-280x400.jpg

Try to imagine him in a green suit.

So I went for Riddler with Penguin. Even if Penguin is not the "main" villain -- he could easily fill in the Carmine Falcone/ Mob boss role. Doesn't even need to be called "Penguin" that much.

Two things really bug me about what people think of Penguin and Riddler:

1. The idea that the Penguin is a lame villain. He's not ok, he's just been badly written or poorly utilised since the Frank Miller era, and, conversely, he was overused and played too much for comedy before that. He's still got fantastic potential, especially as a kingpin/ crime lord. You hear that Nolan?

2. The idea that the Riddler is a manic, laughing imbecile and is therefore "too similar to the Joker". He's not, he#s nothing like the Joker. Riddler is all about obsession and structure, Joker is all about chaos. Riddler is arguably Batman's most intelligent villain. Frank Gorshin's Riddler was awesome, but that's not really the essence of the character. If you want to see Riddler well done -- i.e. cerebral, controlled, obsessive, and twisted and driven by his need to outwit Batman through ingenious schemes (rather than by causing chaos) -- try to seek out the three Batman: The Animated Series episodes, "If You're So Smart, Why Aren't You Rich?", "What Is Reality?" and "Riddler's Reform" (or Hush).

he does sort of have a frank gorshin look to him, doesn't he?

[kusanagi6913]

For me.

1. The Riddler (main villain & story)
2. Catwoman (love-villain interest & part of main story as well)
3. Mad hatter (side lesser villain char story)

I'm with you 100% on Riddler and Catwoman but I hope that we don't get more than two villains..maybe a cameo from a future villain but certainly not 3. There's just too much at stake to do a rush job and try and excite every fan ala Xmen 3 and Spiderman 3. Besides, in the 1st two films, Nolan had side plots about mobsters--Maroni and the 1st guy in BB..so this is why I believe the rumors that Phillip Seymour Hoffman will portray Penguin as a growing threat in Gotham's underworld as a cameo in the next film with a larger role in a future film. You could definitely do a Bane or Black Mask or Ventriloquist with Penguin in a subsequent film.

What's the hurry? Let's cross our fingers we get a decent non-crowded sequel that will ensure we get more sequels that give us additional villains and supporting characters.

[Inverted]

The Riddler(Johnny Depp):

Want him to play a more Zodiac Killer/ Son of Sam role. If you think about it TDK having Joker as a terrorist is a bit edgy given the times we're living in now, and how even the word terrorism can be very sensitive. If we explore this issue further Riddler could take part in a cop/ detective killer role.

Catwoman(Angelina Jolie)

Enough said.

[TeamED209]

You raise great points and not unlike what I've said in several of my posts Nolan is capable of truly delivering quality deliveries from the villains although to be fair..Timm and crew were the 1st to show this on BTAS and it worked so well that hack-meister Schumacher adapted it for Mr. Freeze in Batman and Robin as well.

Still, I think that the realities of Hollywood and blockbuster film franchises do not fit with what you're suggesting. Nolan's TDK is thematically in line with BB amped up on the destruction scale whereas BB was a much more intimate film dealing with Batman's origin. In fact, while I salute Nolan's work on BB's villains..the actual truth of the matter is that he could have used Calendar Man and Clock King and still had a reasonable and critically acclaimed hit because the 1st film was about Bruce becoming Batman. Hence the effective but relatively sparse showing for Scarecrow.

So, accepting the realities of the modern blockbusters like Bourne Identity--I just cannot see a huge departure from the success of the 1st two film and have it be strong for a sequel. Ofcourse Matt Hagen (CF) and/ or Jervis Tetch (Mad Hatter) could be effectively pulled off in a Batman film but what the mainstream fans that made this franchise a MONSTER hit (BB had a domestic gross of $200M--TDK is on path to better that by more than $200M--no Spiderman flick did that percentage better than previous..nor did X-men) will expect is recognizable villains portrayed with the same incredible realism and depth. Start introducing a character who can change shape at will and/ or a lonely man who can control people with special chips or hats and I think you're going to alienate the mainstream fans who finally are coming around to our culture the comicbook geek culture.

That's why I believe if the studio is smart..they'll wave off the fanboys lust (because honestly, all of us will see the next Batman even if the villain is Batmite) and instead continue Nolan's theme with a pair of very well-known villains who could help to overextend the realism context of the franchise and help to gradually move it into the next level of Batman's more fantastic characters.

Honestly, I want this version of Batman to survive for several films..not just three. I want to see Robin and Mr. Freeze and Killer Croc and so on and the only way to get there is by getting the much needed third film to build and cement these new fans that came thanks to TDK.

Lastly, I do not wish to see characters appropriated for filmmakers wants..hence Juggernaut in X-3 and Venom in Spidey 3. If you believe Nolan can work magic with lesser villains then why do you want to inject some loony idea like turning Bane into a supercop?

I wouldn't especially like to see bane changed from his origin story but the reality is nolan will change the characters slightly to suit his role in the films..

I do agree with most of what your saying and would love to see the batman franchise to grow to bond proportions ,but what happens when bale/freeman/cain/nolan decide to move on(hopefully that won't happen for a few movies)..

I still think nolan can craft a movie with any of the batman material but your probably right in that there has to be a major recognisable villian to hold the movie together but that doesn't mean that lesser known villians can't make apperances.

I agree with you that the only way to get more great batman films in the series is to bring in non comic books fans like TDK did but saying that im not sure how many of these ppl actually know much about batman mytho's so whoever you choose as a villian would in theory not matter to them as long as they enjoy the movie...

Personally i'd love to see this movie build on TDK with a return of one of the previous big villians (two-face/joker/ra's) and introduce some other bigger names ie riddler/cat woman ect and in a perfect world the next movie would be Knightfall (that is a bit of fan boy wishing tho..)

[kardel]

I love Riddler . Though Helle Berry playing Cat women does have its upsides :p

[Ult. Fireboy]

If they could get Johnny Depp to do the Riddler, I think that it would be another great hit.

[Exitmat]

I like the way they've kept the Batman movies realistic. So although I love characters like Clayface, Manbat, etc., I'd much rather see them stick with a more realistic character like Riddler.

[The Tomorrow Knight]

The Riddler
Like many, I want to see him engage Batman in a battle of wits. It would show off his intelligence and detective skills, definitely. I'm a big fan of the way he was portrayed in "The Batman", as I loved his origin story and all the episodes focused on him. The one when he had Batman go around the city solving the riddles to prevent "hidden" bombs from detonating was great. I don't care so much for the gothic look though, just the personality this Riddler had. Many also have suggested it and I do agree David Hyde Pierce being the portrayer would be epic.

Penguin
Was never a fan of this one until I read a topic defending him in another forum. If they just changed it so he was a rich, fat gangster who idolized birds and ran a vast criminal organization using his club as front, that would be good enough. No waddle, no deformities, no teched out umbrella. I can see the opposition to this because it butchers his character's classic trademarks but I think it sounds good.

Don't really care if I see her but...

Catwoman
Could easily fit into the realistic setting if I man that dressed up as a Bat can work. They probably wouldn't explain her origin but it's simple enough: a woman who one day decided to become a professional thief.

[Exitmat]

I have a feeling that with the pretty recent Catwoman movie bombing like hell that Nolan doesn't want to touch the character right now. My bets are all on the Riddler being the next villain, and maybe a returning Two Face.

[Captain Jim]

So far, the Riddler and Catwoman seem to be the most popular by far.

[FreeFallin]

So far, the Riddler and Catwoman seem to be the most popular by far.

Riddler and catwoman can and would fit well in the same movie. Riddler being the main villain, catwoman being the theif/love intrest/ally of batman

[Captain Jim]

Riddler and catwoman can and would fit well in the same movie. Riddler being the main villain, catwoman being the theif/love intrest/ally of batman

I think that could work. Whether it will happen or not is another story, but I definitely think it could work.

[Schornforce]

Also, since (at least in most of the comics), they are less 'true villains' than most of Batman's rogues and could add a very interesting theme of 'shades of grey' especially considering Batman's current status.

Exciting! :biggrin:

[Joe Acro]

Thematically, I think the third movie needs a No Man's Land adaptation.

What villain or villains would be required to make that work escapes me.

[Captain Jim]

Thematically, I think the third movie needs a No Man's Land adaptation.

What villain or villains would be required to make that work escapes me.

As much as I loved NML in comics, I think it's too overarching of a story to be adapted to a two-hour movie.

[ThreeDays]

Two-Face Batman was checking his vitals when he turned his head to the side before taking off at the end of TDK.

Did he touch Harvey's neck or lower face? I can't remember, but I thought he just touched the top — and maybe a little of the side — of his head.

I don't think it looked like they ever checked on Harvey's pulse. And if they were going to bother at all, it would have probably been better to do that before they let him lay there so long.

Dent survived the fall and is shuttered away in Arkham Asylum as a "John Doe," with only Gordon & Batman knowing about it.

Half of his face was still intact. Anyone would recognize him as Harvey Dent.

Besides, it seems a little implausible for Gordon to get Harvey out of that perimeter without other cops noticing. I realize anything the creators of the next film called for could "happen," but something like this would be pushing the suspension of disbelief a little far.

[The Batman]

He wasn't checking Harvey's vitals when he turned his head. If he was at all concerned about Harvey's well-being he wouldn't have turned the side of his face that was burned off into the gravel and the dirt.

Turning his head like that was a bit of (heavy handed?) symbolism to show the face of Harvey they were going to present to Gotham.

[ThreeDays]

Turning his head like that was a bit of (heavy handed?) symbolism to show the face of Harvey they were going to present to Gotham.

That's how I took it as well.

[HaroldAllnut]

I actually had a dream regarding the end of TDK before I saw it. The Joker was defeated and what not, and Jim Gordon was entering the MCU when the face of a skyscraper across the street explodes, showering everyone in glass. Gordon looks up to see a burning question mark in the face of the building.

[The Xenos]

I hope if they use Riddler, they don't make him too cruel. I don't want the mistake again of making another Joker clone. Each villian has a unique personality and crime spee.

[DannyV_El_Acme]

I definitely wanna see a female villain in the next movie. If Batman has an Achilles's Heel, it's women, as evidenced by Rachel Dawes in the last movies. I'm partial to Poison Ivy, myself. A female ecoterrorist with the power to entrance men into serving her, tell me that doesn't have potential! Then again, a revenge-seeking Thalia would also rock, and there'd be the dichotomy of her wanting to avenge(serve?) her father but loving Batman.

A villain with a tragic past would be cool, too, someone like Clayface or Mister Freeze. But I think the Riddler would pretty much be the big villain for the next movie, since he's the bigger villain of the ones not used in the new movie series yet.

Damn, if all this speculation isn't exciting :)

EDIT: OOOH!!! I almost forgot! How about HUGO STRANGE? Now THAT'S a bad guy I'd love to see get the Nolan treatment! :)

[TheSpectacularSpider-Man2009]

I'd like to see The Riddler and Catwoman in Batman 3 because let's face it back in the 90's they didn't do a good job of adapting these characters to the silver screen and I'd like to see Chris Nolan attempt to rectify their mistakes. It's too bad that Nolan can't rectify all of their mistakes though. I bet The Penguin, Mr. Freeze, Poison Ivy and Bane are probably too fantastical to appear in Chris Nolan's Batman Universe that's why we'll never see them.

[joe27]

i've thought about this, and don't really care what villains appear. i'm more interested in what the story will be like.

i like catwoman and don't really care about the penguin much. but i'd prefer a good story involving the penguin to a bunch of nonsense involving some A-list actress in a cat suit.

[TheSpectacularSpider-Man2009]

i've thought about this, and don't really care what villains appear. i'm more interested in what the story will be like.

i like catwoman and don't really care about the penguin much. but i'd prefer a good story involving the penguin to a bunch of nonsense involving some A-list actress in a cat suit.

So you wouldn't mind if Black Mask appeared?

[joe27]

i wouldn't mind.

[TheSpectacularSpider-Man2009]

i wouldn't mind.

Do you like Black Mask?

[joe27]

Do you like Black Mask?

i'm neutral on black mask.
we can go with black mask though.

[TheSpectacularSpider-Man2009]

i'm neutral on black mask.
we can go with black mask though.

I heard Black Mask tortures his victims in the comics so if they're gonna go with Black Mask they'll have to edit out the torture scenes.

[joe27]

I heard Black Mask tortures his victims in the comics so if they're gonna go with Black Mask they'll have to edit out the torture scenes.

Instead of editing the torture out, they could turn the movie into a light-hearted S&M romp, like they did with the third installment of the last Batman franchise.

Nobody said his black mask can't be made of leather and studded. That combined with a pair of chaps and graphic depictions of torture won't be necessary. The audience will get that he means business.

[TheSpectacularSpider-Man2009]

Instead of editing the torture out, they could turn the movie into a light-hearted S&M romp, like they did with the third installment of the last Batman franchise.

Nobody said his black mask can't be made of leather and studded. That combined with a pair of chaps and graphic depictions of torture won't be necessary. The audience will get that he means business.

They'd have to play Black Mask straight though because we already had a maniacal villian in the last Batman film.

[hunter_peterson]

Someone suggested the Riddler as an FBI criminal profiler who becomes obsessed with Bats. I love that idea. Throw in Catwoman, Gordon hunting down Batman and the aftershock of the last film and we've got a winner.

[Aziz Abbasi]

Bane was way too dumb and too much of a follower to be serious in "Batman & Robin", so the real Bane in a movie is my option: Clever, talking, a leader, strong enough to tackle both Batman & Robin and wins a few times before falling down. I'd like to see him see through Batman traps and when Batman defeats him it isn't because Bane is wreckless.

If this is not possible here's the alternate choice: "Killer Croc" and a return by Scarecrow.

[Lester C.]

If they made him a little smarter and even more twisted Zsasz would make an excellent villian.

[SquidSquod]

Hush and the Riddler.