Matt Reeves, director of The Batman: Part 2, has publicly dismissed 12 potential villains that the Dark Knight will not face in the upcoming sequel, quashing several fan theories. Fans eager for Matt Reeves Batman villains must wait until the movie’s release on October 1, 2027, as production is slated to begin in April 2026 after Reeves and co-writer Mattson Tomlin recently finalized the script. Speculation about the sequel’s antagonist has been rampant, with guesses ranging from the Joker to Hush.
In the first film, the storyline revolved around Robert Pattinson’s Batman investigating a serial killer mystery centered on Paul Dano’s Edward Nashton, also known as the Riddler. In addition to these characters, viewers were introduced to other Gotham figures such as Zoe Kravitz’s Catwoman, Barry Keoghan’s Joker, and Colin Farrell’s Penguin, who was later given his own Emmy-winning HBO series in 2024.
Matt Reeves Discusses Creative Process and Character Focus
During an interview on Happy Sad Confused, Matt Reeves was deliberately vague about revealing the villain for The Batman 2 but confirmed that multiple possibilities were explored before settling on the final choice. He shared that he and his writing partner, Mattson Tomlin, engaged in an extensive study of Batman comics and a wide range of films—not all related to Gotham—to shape the sequel’s direction.
“I had a lot of ideas. And then Mattson Tomlin, who’s my writing partner, we began the process of this by doing another deep dive into the comics, exploring the ideas that I had, and he gave me ideas that he had. We sat together and watched a lot of movies, and not all from the realm of Gotham.” – Matt Reeves, Director
Reeves suggested that the sequel would delve deeper into Bruce Wayne’s character beyond his Batman alter ego, building on the foundation laid in the first film and the events depicted in The Penguin series.
“The way [‘The Batman’] ended was leaving us on the precipice, and also the way events happen within [‘The Penguin’], that there is an exploration to be had. One of the explorations for me was to do something that pushes even further into the character of Bruce Wayne, because the first story is so much about The Batman.” – Matt Reeves, Director
He emphasized the importance of keeping Robert Pattinson’s portrayal central to the narrative, regardless of the villain’s identity.
“I never wanted to lose [Robert Pattinson] at the center of these stories.” – Matt Reeves, Director
Reeves also hinted that the villain chosen would be unique and previously unexplored in Batman films, focusing on uncovering aspects of Bruce Wayne’s past and life.
“So picking the right villain that digs into what that does, that sort of goes into his past and his life, is what drove that discussion, and I won’t tell you where we ended up, but we’re super excited about it. And I will say, it’s never really been done in a movie before.” – Matt Reeves, Director
Confirmed Villains Excluded from The Batman 2
Reeves’ statement that the sequel’s antagonist has never been featured in the movies previously means several notable villains have been ruled out. Below is a detailed account of these characters who will not serve as the main foe in the 2027 sequel.
Joker Will Not Be the Main Antagonist
The Joker, portrayed by Barry Keoghan in a deleted but iconic scene in The Batman, will not headline The Batman 2 as the primary villain. Although Keoghan’s Joker may make a return, likely in a cameo role situated in Arkham Asylum, he is not positioned to be the film’s central threat.
Penguin’s Role to Remain Supporting
Colin Farrell, who delivered a notable performance as the Penguin in The Batman, and who currently stars in the Emmy-winning HBO series The Penguin, will not reprise the villainous lead role in the sequel. Farrell himself revealed that his part in The Batman 2 is limited.
“[I haven’t] got much to do on [The Batman 2], just a little bit.” – Colin Farrell, Actor
Catwoman Is Unlikely to Return as a Villain
Selina Kyle, better known as Catwoman and played by Zoe Kravitz, featured prominently in The Batman and has been adapted into various Batman franchises over time. While her character left Gotham for Bludhaven at the end of the first movie, reports suggest she might not appear at all in the sequel, and she was never considered a contender for the main villain role.
Riddler Won’t Return as the Main Villain
Paul Dano’s portrayal of the Riddler, Edward Nashton, made him the primary antagonist in the first movie. As expected, the Gotham serial killer will not be the lead villain again. Currently confined to Arkham alongside the Joker and others, the Riddler is expected to return in the sequel but not in a starring capacity, potentially setting the stage for future confrontations.
Two-Face Ruled Out as Lead Villain
Despite earlier rumors suggesting Two-Face might appear, Matt Reeves has decisively excluded him from being the main threat. Previously portrayed by Tommy Lee Jones in Batman Forever and Aaron Eckhart in The Dark Knight, this character is unlikely to headline the sequel. That said, Harvey Dent could still emerge as Gotham’s district attorney, hinting at a possible origin story for Two-Face in future installments.
Mr. Freeze Is Not in the Running
While Reeves once noted that a grounded take on Mr. Freeze could be compelling, it is improbable he will feature in The Batman 2. The villain’s previous on-screen incarnation in Batman & Robin, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, disqualifies him under the criterion of being
“never really done in a movie before.”
Poison Ivy Probably Not Included
Though Poison Ivy remains a fan-favorite villain who has yet to receive a definitive cinematic adaptation after Uma Thurman’s portrayal, she seems unlikely to be involved in the sequel. Her fantastical plant-based powers would suit the tone of James Gunn’s upcoming DC Universe better than Reeves’ grounded Crime Saga.
Scarecrow’s Role Suspended
Jonathan Crane, also known as Scarecrow, infamous for his appearance in Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins, was once rumored to be part of a spin-off connected to The Batman. However, plans for this have stalled, and the character remains absent from Reeves’ sequel developments. The new DC Universe has repurposed some associated characters like Clayface.
Ra’s al Ghul’s Mythical Elements Clash with Gritty Tone
Ra’s al Ghul, leader of the League of Assassins and one of Batman’s most legendary foes, is also sidelined from The Batman 2. His mystical background and near-immortality do not fit with Reeves’ darker, grounded narrative style. While Liam Neeson’s portrayal from Batman Begins removes the character from contention here, Ra’s al Ghul may resurface in the DCU via The Brave and the Bold, which will feature Damian Wayne.
Bane’s Superhuman Strength Limits His Presence
Known for breaking Batman’s back in The Dark Knight Rises and Batman & Robin, Bane is an unlikely choice for Reeves’ realistic Gotham. While the character will not appear in The Batman 2, his DCU debut is reportedly in development, with a planned team-up movie alongside Deathstroke being written by Moon Knight’s Matthew Orton.
Harley Quinn’s Status Remains Unclear
Although Harley Quinn entered the scene as Joker’s accomplice and adversary to Batman, her transition to more of an anti-hero role and uncertain position within the DC Universe raise questions about her involvement. Given the Joker is excluded and Harley has yet to fully collide with Batman in live-action outside Suicide Squad, her arrival in Reeves’ sequel seems doubtful for now.
Sofia Falcone Excluded Due to Script Timing
Cristin Milioti’s portrayal of Sofia Falcone, introduced in The Penguin HBO series, will not continue in the sequel. Though the character hinted at a powerful alliance with Catwoman and potential chaos in Gotham, Reeves noted that the sequel’s script was too far along before The Penguin series aired to incorporate her.
“Cristin’s not in [the sequel] because we were so deep into the script by the time The Penguin came around.” – Matt Reeves, Director
Speculation Grows Over The Batman 2’s Antagonist
With one of comics’ most extensive villain rosters, Batman fans anticipate the next cinematic adversary keenly. Matt Reeves’ statement that the new villain will further unmask Bruce Wayne’s psychological layers rather than simply challenge Batman points toward a fresh, intricate character choice. All signs suggest the enigmatic Hush could fit this description.
Thomas Elliot, known as Hush, has a complex backstory as Bruce Wayne’s childhood friend with a troubled past. His early attempt to kill his own parents ended with Thomas Wayne saving them, contrasting Bruce’s loss of his parents. This fueled Elliot’s enduring resentment, driving him to adopt the masked persona of Hush and orchestrate plans aimed at dismantling Bruce Wayne both physically and mentally.
Hints toward Hush’s involvement have surfaced before in the franchise. In The Batman, a plot point revealed that a reporter named Edward Elliot was killed to protect Martha Wayne’s mental illness, with the word “Hush” projected on the screen, subtly foreshadowing his future role. Reeves expressed interest in exploring Hush’s potential, calling him
“a really interesting one to do”
but stopped short of confirming the character’s appearance.
Adapting Hush could allow the sequel to deepen its exploration of Gotham’s darkest secrets and corruption, maintaining the tone set by the first film while expanding the narrative in fresh directions.
Meanwhile, speculation about The Batman 3 suggests the Court of Owls could emerge as a climactic force, revealing a long-hidden society pulling Gotham’s strings for centuries. Such a direction could provide an epic conclusion if the franchise continues beyond 2027.
