Director Matt Reeves recently shared insights into his selection process for the main villain in the highly anticipated film, ‘The Batman 2,’ hinting that this particular antagonist has ‘never really been done in a movie before.’
Slated to begin filming early next year, ‘The Batman 2’ is currently set for an October 1, 2027 release. This means the sequel will debut roughly five and a half years after the original ‘The Batman.’ Robert Pattinson is confirmed to return as the brooding Caped Crusader, and Colin Farrell will reprise his role as the crime boss Penguin, though his involvement is expected to be a smaller part of the story.
The big question on everyone’s mind is, who will be the central antagonist this time? And which character from Batman’s iconic rogues’ gallery has Reeves chosen to bring to life on the big screen?
During a recent interview, Reeves remained tight-lipped about the villain’s identity but did elaborate on his creative approach, offering a clue that has ignited widespread fan speculation.
Reeves explained that he and his writing partner, Mattson Tomlin, embarked on extensive research, delving deep into Batman comics and even watching various films—not just those set in Gotham—to shape the narrative. He noted that the ending of the first ‘The Batman’ film, along with events in ‘The Penguin’ series, provided a compelling jumping-off point. A key goal for the sequel was to further explore Bruce Wayne’s character, building on how the first movie focused heavily on Batman himself. Reeves emphasized his desire to keep Robert Pattinson’s portrayal of Bruce Wayne central to the evolving story, especially as they move past the origin elements. The decision for the new villain was driven by finding a character who could connect deeply with Bruce’s past and personal life. While keeping the identity under wraps, Reeves expressed immense excitement, reiterating his tease that this particular villain has ‘never truly been explored in a movie before.’
This intriguing comment has led fans to speculate wildly, proposing a range of lesser-known Batman adversaries. However, it’s crucial to consider that Reeves might not be referring to a completely unadapted villain, but rather a familiar face reimagined in a groundbreaking way. This opens the door to possibilities like a fresh interpretation of Mr. Freeze, Bane, Poison Ivy, Hugo Strange, Scarecrow, or even Two-Face. The question of whether Barry Keoghan’s Joker will make a significant return after his brief appearance in the first film also remains a hot topic.
What we can confirm is that Cristin Milioti, celebrated for her Emmy-winning portrayal of Sofia Falcone in ‘The Penguin’ series, will not appear in ‘The Batman 2.’ Reeves indicated that her character’s inclusion would disrupt the film’s established narrative trajectory and current exploratory themes.
It’s evident that crafting the script for ‘The Batman 2’ has been a challenging endeavor for Reeves. He recently shared that the process has taken longer than initially desired due to various personal and creative factors. Ultimately, his priority was ensuring the script reached its absolute best possible version.
Furthermore, Reeves provided an update on the potential second season of the HBO spinoff, ‘The Penguin.’ He mentioned that discussions are ongoing with showrunner Lauren Lefranc, who is actively developing ideas. Expressing deep affection for the series and its exceptional cast and crew, Reeves admitted that its overwhelmingly positive reception exceeded all expectations.