What Villians should be in the Matt Reeves Batman Trilogy?
With such a stunning performance from Paul Dano as Edward Nashton/ The Riddler, there’s no telling what director Matt Reeves will do in his next 2 movies…
Entry 1 — Mr. Freeze
Sure would be ICE to see Mr. Freeze again!
As seen in the classic Heart of Ice episode from Batman: The Animated Series, Mr. Freeze (or Victor Fries) has one of the more tragic backstories in the DC universe. His wife, Nora Fries, develops MacGregor’s Syndrome, causing her husband to put her in a cryogenic state to preserve her life. As the cartoon explains, Fries has to become Mr. Freeze and use criminal tactics to try to save her. Making Mr. Freeze a morally and empathetically understood villain. Which can enhance Pattinson’s rogues gallery.
As seen in Batman and Robin (1997), this would be the second appearance on the silver screen. Originally played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, the movie does follow the Heart of Ice story to a degree. However, as the movie goes on, Arnies Freeze becomes secondary to Uma Thurman’s in her portrayal as Poison Ivy, abandoning the Nora revival story from then. Returning to the screen as a main villain can give the Heart of Ice story it’s deserved justice, without being held back by other villains.
At the end of The Batman (2022), Bruce begins to make the realization that Batman could be more. A symbol, and or a beacon of hope even, which makes Mr. Freeze a great addition to the universe as he’s one that can give Freeze hope. He can help Freeze rather than having a villain he needs to physically defeat. Freeze’s desperation to save his wife can be a consistent reminder of what Bruce wishes he did for his parents, making him desperate as well.
Entry 2 — Court of Owls
A new villain in terms of comics lore but a fan favorite since it’s debut.
Debuting in Batman (Volume 2) #2, the Court of Owls have had fans glamouring to see them on the big screen. The mysterious secret society was founded along with Gotham City itself in the 1600’s. Some of Gotham’s wealthiest families are deeply tied to the Court, families like… the Waynes? As seen in the series Gotham, the Court is unveiled to be controlling Wayne Enterprises. Pattinson’s Wayne wants the Batman to pay homage to his parents, but what if they were involved with the Court?
The introduction of the Court brings multiple opportunities for the third movie in Reeves’ trilogy. As alluded to previously, incorporating the Waynes into the Court can bring an immense amount of emotional weight onto Pattinson’s Batman, giving us as fans, a more Bruce focused movie, similar to The Batman itself. Not only the Waynes, as seen in the movie, Selina Kyle is a Falconi. If the Falconi’s were a part of the Court, this emotional trauma can be even more intense for her as well.
Reeves’ Batman trilogy is a grittier and more realistic take on the comic book genre. So, an underground society made up of the city’s elite doesn’t break any sort of legitimacy already put in place. Even Robert Pattinson wants to see them make an appearance. As the Court adds to just how dark Gotham was shown to be in the first movie. In fact, they can further create that sense of horror that was seen in the comics and that Reeves is moving towards.
Regardless of who is involved, there is no doubt that Reeves & Co will have something special for everyone in the theaters!!!
