Madelaine Petsch, known for her roles in The Strangers and Riverdale, is making a clear effort to portray Poison Ivy in the upcoming The Batman: Part II. She is actively pursuing attention from director Matt Reeves, emphasizing her desire to embody the iconic villain in the evolving DC franchise. Petsch’s campaign is a direct appeal amid growing fan interest for fresh characters in Reeves’ Gotham universe.
Fan Demand for New Villains Beyond the Usual Faces
For years, fans have expressed a wish to see Gotham’s darker corners expand beyond classic adversaries like The Joker, Two-Face, and The Penguin. With The Batman: Part II and the new project The Brave and the Bold currently in development, there is mounting enthusiasm for villains like Hush, Mr. Freeze, and particularly Poison Ivy to appear in live action. These characters offer new directions for the franchise’s storytelling.
Petsch’s Persistent Efforts to Attract Attention
Madelaine Petsch has been signaling her interest in the role of Poison Ivy for some time. She revealed in an interview that dressing as the character on Halloween was part of a strategic move to capture the filmmakers’ notice:
“We’re working on it. I dressed up as Poison Ivy. Many Halloweens ago, just to get their attention. It’s like, ‘Hey, Matt Reeves, are we paying attention?’ They haven’t made the movie yet, so who knows?” – Madelaine Petsch, Actress
This statement highlights her ongoing commitment and hope that her initiative might pay off as production plans solidify.
Challenges of Integrating Poison Ivy into Reeves’ Gotham
While Petsch appears to possess the look and presence that could align with Poison Ivy’s character, there is uncertainty about how the character’s mystical, plant-based abilities would fit into Matt Reeves’ darker, more grounded Gotham. The director’s vision prioritizes gritty realism, which could conflict with Poison Ivy’s supernatural traits such as plant control and mind influence.
Given this, Petsch’s chances may improve with The Brave and the Bold, a separate DC project still in early stages, where a more traditional comic-book tone could welcome such fantastical elements. This project is seen as more flexible and potentially a better fit for her to bring Pamela Isley’s charisma and intensity to life.
Matt Reeves’ Vision for a Fresh Batman Villain
Director Matt Reeves has hinted that The Batman: Part II will introduce a villain who has not previously been featured in any Batman film. This has sparked speculation that characters like Hush could headline the sequel. Reeves discussed his intentions for the series’ direction:
“I knew with the way [The Batman] ended, it was leaving us on the precipice. Also, the way events happen in [The Penguin]. There is an exploration to be had, and one of the explorations for me was to do something that pushes even further into the character of Bruce Wayne.” – Matt Reeves, Director
He further explained his storytelling goals, emphasizing a focus on Bruce Wayne’s character development rather than just the rogue’s gallery:
“The first story is so much about The Batman. I always wanted in the movies, and let’s say we get to make three—I have no idea—that I always wanted the movies to be focused on his character. A lot of the other films, which I love, once you get past the origin tale, then you start telling the rogues’ gallery story and that character’s arc. I never wanted to lose Rob at the centre of these stories, so that is what we really set our aim on. Picking the right villain that digs into what that does and goes into his past and his life, that was what drove that discussion. We’re super excited about it, and I will say, it’s never really been done in a movie before.” – Matt Reeves, Director
This indicates a careful selection process for the sequel’s antagonist, focusing on character depth and narrative impact.
Opportunities Beyond Reeves’ Batman Universe
Even if Poison Ivy does not become part of the Batverse under Matt Reeves’ direction, the broader DC Universe remains highly receptive to introducing new iterations of beloved characters. With James Gunn and Peter Safran shaping the DCU reboot, Madelaine Petsch is poised to seize any opportunity to take on Poison Ivy, demonstrating her eagerness to join the franchise in any capacity.
The actress’s active campaign and evident enthusiasm suggest that she could soon emerge as a serious contender for Poison Ivy, offering fresh energy to Gotham’s underworld.
