‘The Batman 2’ Features a Villain Who’s New to DC Movies

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Matt Reeves’ upcoming *The Batman Part II* will reportedly introduce a new villain that hasn’t been seen in a major film before, giving DC fans a fresh character to watch.

The director says the next *Batman* movie will feature a villain we haven’t seen done well on screen before.

Keanu Reeves shared the surprising news during an interview on the red carpet at the 2025 Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, September 14th.

Reeves shared that the next movie will delve deeper into Bruce Wayne’s personal life, as the first film primarily centered on his persona as Batman.

Reeves explained that many superhero films, which he enjoys, focus on villains and character development *after* establishing the hero’s backstory. However, he didn’t want that for his film. He wanted to ensure Bruce Wayne remained the central focus, and that guided their storytelling approach.

Although director Matt Reeves hasn’t revealed who Batman will fight in *The Batman – Part Two*, there are several villains who haven’t appeared in a live-action Batman film yet, such as Hush, Hugo Strange, Man-Bat, the Mad Hatter, and Red Hood.

Production for *The Batman Part II* is starting soon, with filming expected to begin in spring 2026. The movie is currently planned for release in theaters on October 1, 2027. The original *Batman* film was a huge success, earning over $772 million around the world.

Robert Pattinson is coming back to play Batman, and Colin Farrell will also return as the Penguin in the sequel.

The sequel to *The Batman* was initially revealed in 2022 and planned for a 2025 release. However, production faced setbacks, including the 2023 Hollywood strikes and problems with the script, causing delays.

Keanu Reeves was still refining the movie’s script earlier in the year, but it was fully completed in June.

Every Batman Movie Ranked From Worst to Best

16. Batman (1943)

As a Batman fan, I have to admit the 1943 *Batman* serial, directed by Lambert Hillyer and starring Lewis Wilson as the Dark Knight, hasn’t aged well. Honestly, I called it possibly the worst Batman adaptation *ever* back in 2015, and I stand by that. While it’s historically important – it gave us things like the Batcave and really influenced the campy style of the Adam West series – it’s a slog to get through. This 15-part movie serial is just…long, dull, and unfortunately, pretty problematic with some shockingly racist moments. If you think the George Clooney *Batman* is bad, trust me, you haven’t seen anything yet. The villain is Dr. Daka, played by Carrol Naish, who’s portrayed as a Japanese spy.

15. Batman and Robin (1949)

Directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet, this serial features Robert Lowery as Batman. The villain is The Wizard, a masked figure intent on creating chaos in Gotham City. This is the second Batman serial, and unfortunately, it looks even less polished than the first. However, it’s a slight improvement because it avoids the extreme prejudice found in the earlier installment, and its sheer incompetence is often unintentionally funny – like a Bat-Signal visible in broad daylight or a Bat-costume that’s more comical than heroic. It begs the question: why do movies with the title *Batman and Robin* consistently turn out so poorly?

14. Justice League (2017)

Released in 2017, *Justice League* was directed by Zack Snyder, with Ben Affleck as Batman. The film features Ciaran Hinds as the villain, Steppenwolf, an alien who seeks to gather three powerful artifacts called “Mother Boxes” to destroy Earth and rebuild it in the likeness of his home world. Despite high expectations as a culmination of previous films, *Justice League* is considered a disappointment. Production was disrupted when Snyder stepped away due to personal reasons, and Joss Whedon took over. The final product suffered from messy editing, an inconsistent tone, and a bland, unmemorable villain. Fortunately, Zack Snyder later released his original vision of the film on HBO Max.

13. Batman & Robin (1997)

Directed by Joel Schumacher and starring George Clooney as Batman, this film features Uma Thurman as the eco-terrorist Poison Ivy, Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mr. Freeze – a scientist tragically needing subzero temperatures to live and obsessed with ice puns – and Jeep Swenson as Bane. While widely considered one of the worst Batman movies, it has a strange appeal. Despite its awful production design, silly costumes, and confusing storylines, it’s surprisingly memorable and even enjoyable for some. It’s so bizarre and over-the-top that it’s hard to look away from, and many find themselves revisiting it despite (or because of) its flaws.

12. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

Directed by Zack Snyder, *Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice* stars Ben Affleck as Batman. The film’s villains are Lex Luthor, played by Jesse Eisenberg, who tries to turn the heroes against each other, and Doomsday, a genetically engineered creature created from General Zod’s remains and Lex Luthor’s DNA. While Snyder delivers visually impressive action, especially the final battle, the film’s story is a chaotic jumble. The heroes’ animosity feels forced, the plot is constantly disrupted by promotional dream sequences, and Lex Luthor’s motivations are nonsensical. Despite the promise of a larger DC universe, the film lacks a coherent narrative.

11. Batman Forever (1995)

Directed by Joel Schumacher and starring Val Kilmer as Batman, this film features Jim Carrey as The Riddler and Tommy Lee Jones as Two-Face. The Riddler is a former Wayne Enterprises employee who creates a device to steal intelligence, while Two-Face seeks to eliminate Batman.

*Batman Forever* falls somewhere between the darker tone of Tim Burton’s Batman films and the campiness of *Batman & Robin*, resulting in a movie that doesn’t quite define itself. While it has some enjoyable moments and Val Kilmer showed promise as Batman, the over-the-top performances of Carrey and Jones haven’t held up well over time. Unlike the amusingly silly *Batman & Robin*, these villains are simply irritating. Essentially, *Batman Forever* is a middle-ground entry – a somewhat unremarkable chapter in the Batman film series.

10. Batman (1966)

Directed by Leslie H. Martinson, this *Batman* film features Adam West as the Caped Crusader. The villains are a united front of Batman’s classic enemies: The Joker (played by Cesar Romero), the Riddler (Frank Gorshin), Catwoman (Lee Meriwether), and the Penguin (Burgess Meredith). While initially disliked by many comic book fans who felt it damaged the perception of comics, the 1960s *Batman* series has seen a resurgence in popularity. This movie, released between seasons of the TV show, isn’t as grand as later Batman films, but it captures the fun, lighthearted spirit of the original series. The energetic, over-the-top fight scenes-complete with on-screen sound effects-are a particular highlight.

9. Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2020)

Released in 2020 and directed by Zack Snyder, *Justice League* stars Ben Affleck as Batman. The film’s villains are Steppenwolf (voiced by Ciaran Hinds), an alien intent on collecting powerful artifacts to reshape Earth, and Darkseid, who simply opposes Earth and its ideals. This four-hour version of Snyder’s *Justice League* is a significant improvement over the 2017 theatrical release, though it’s quite lengthy and detailed. A slightly shorter, three-hour cut might have been ideal, but this version remains the best film to feature Ben Affleck’s portrayal of Batman – a broken hero who rediscovers his humanity and faith in others.

8. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Christian Bale as Batman, *The Dark Knight Rises* features Tom Hardy as Bane, a powerful villain determined to destroy Batman and incite a revolution in Gotham City. This film is a stark contrast to the 1966 *Batman* series, being much more ambitious and large in scale. It serves as the epic conclusion to Nolan’s Batman trilogy, blending intense action, violence, and thought-provoking themes. While the movie is packed with characters – including Marion Cotillard and Joseph Gordon-Levitt – and events, it strives to be more than just entertainment. Even a decade later, some viewers still struggle to understand Tom Hardy’s delivery as Bane, but ultimately, the film’s artistic ambition is a positive quality. More superhero movies should aim for such depth and complexity.

7. The LEGO Batman Movie

Directed by Chris McKay and starring Will Arnett as Batman, *The LEGO Batman Movie* features the Joker (voiced by Zach Galifianakis) as the main villain. He teams up with a large group of Batman’s classic enemies to try and prove himself. The film ranks as number 7 on this list because it offers a fun and lighthearted take on the often-dark Batman universe. It’s visually inspired by the colorful, Pop Art style of the 1960s *Batman* television show, even including characters like Egghead and jokes referencing the famous Bat-Shark Repellent. What makes this movie special is its ability to modernize the campy feel of the original show, making it both funny and surprisingly cool. It demonstrates Batman’s incredible range – he can be a symbol of deep myth and heroism, or simply the subject of silly jokes about egg-shaped heads. *The LEGO Batman Movie* truly showcases Batman’s versatility like no other film.

6. Batman Begins (2005)

Christopher Nolan directed *Batman Begins*, with Christian Bale as Batman. The villain is Scarecrow, played by Cillian Murphy, a psychiatrist who uses a fear-inducing drug. The film ranks 6th because, while *The Dark Knight* is often more celebrated, *Batman Begins* was crucial in reviving the Batman film series. After the disappointing *Batman & Robin*, Nolan demonstrated that Batman still had compelling stories to tell and could be both intellectually stimulating and visually impressive. Christian Bale’s performance as Batman is particularly strong – he’s brooding, funny, and convincingly tough. Liam Neeson also delivers a memorable performance as Bruce Wayne’s early mentor, a role unlike any other Batman villain.

5. The Batman

Matt Reeves directed *The Batman*, starring Robert Pattinson as Batman. The film’s villain is The Riddler, played by Paul Dano, a serial killer who leaves a series of riddles for Batman to solve while terrorizing Gotham City. *The Batman* ranks fifth because, while other Batman movies have been serious, this one uniquely explores what the character means to both fans and the people of Gotham. Reeves delves into Batman’s motivations as thoroughly as Batman investigates The Riddler, exploring themes of surveillance, corruption, and the cycle of revenge. The film’s only weakness is a somewhat drawn-out and messy third act, featuring a couple of unnecessary cliffhangers.

4. Batman Returns (1992)

Directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton as Batman, this film features two memorable villains: The Penguin, played by Danny DeVito, a deformed orphan who runs for mayor with the help of a shady businessman (Christopher Walken), and Catwoman, played by Michelle Pfeiffer, a skilled thief with a personal vendetta against the businessman. This is the final Batman film in Burton’s series and it’s known for being unusual and dramatic, expanding on the style of the first film with even more villains, darkness, and gothic visuals. Keaton, DeVito, and Pfeiffer deliver compelling performances as flawed characters all searching for acceptance. While it’s a quirky blockbuster, it remains highly watchable, particularly due to Keaton’s understated performance and Pfeiffer’s nuanced portrayal of a complex Catwoman-a character many believe deserved her own film instead of the one starring Halle Berry.

3. Batman (1989)

Tim Burton directed the 1989 film *Batman*, starring Michael Keaton as the titular hero and Jack Nicholson as The Joker, a criminal driven to madness and power after falling into a chemical vat. This movie is ranked third due to its massive impact on superhero films and popular culture. More than even the 1978 *Superman*, Burton’s *Batman* revolutionized how Hollywood viewed superheroes, transforming them from children’s entertainment into both a lucrative industry and a respected art form. Its influence extended to comics, cartoons, music (featuring songs by Prince and a score by Danny Elfman), and even fashion. The world of comic-book movies can essentially be divided into before and after this film. It truly ushered in a new era, and I’m happy to have experienced it.

2. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)

Directed by Eric Radomski and Bruce Timm, with Kevin Conroy as the voice of Batman, *Batman: Mask of the Phantasm* features two villains: the mysterious Phantasm, who is targeting Gotham’s mob bosses, and the Joker, voiced by Mark Hamill. This film is ranked #2 because it convincingly demonstrated that animation is the perfect format for Batman stories, even before *The LEGO Batman Movie*. Created by the team behind the acclaimed *Batman: The Animated Series*, *Mask of the Phantasm* captures everything that made the series great – stunning visuals, smooth animation, and memorable voice acting – in a concise 75-minute film. Unlike many lengthy Batman movies, *Mask of the Phantasm* is fast-paced and focused, much like a well-crafted comic book. The tragic romance between Bruce Wayne (Kevin Conroy, considered by many to be the best Batman voice actor) and Andrea Beaumont (Dana Delany) is as compelling as Bruce’s relationship with Selina Kyle in *Batman Returns*, and the film’s central mystery is genuinely surprising if you avoid spoilers. Over 25 years later, the film still looks fantastic thanks to its unique art style – a blend of Art Deco and futuristic design – which felt timeless even when it was first released in 1993.

1. The Dark Knight (2008)

Directed by Christopher Nolan, *The Dark Knight* stars Christian Bale as Batman. The film features Heath Ledger as the Joker, a terrifying and unpredictable villain who aims to throw Gotham City into turmoil, and Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent, the city’s determined district attorney who descends into madness after a personal tragedy and disfiguring injury.

*The Dark Knight* is considered the best Batman film due to its intense action, stunning IMAX visuals, and thought-provoking exploration of heroism and villainy. Many believe it’s a landmark achievement that will continue to define the standard for all future Batman movies, possibly for years to come – or even indefinitely. It bravely recast the Joker after Jack Nicholson’s iconic performance, and Heath Ledger’s portrayal is considered a performance for the ages.

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2025-09-19 00:00