Next Batman Villains?
Gotham: Who needs the Batman?
My brother and I were talking a while back about the next Batman movie and we think we’ve figured out who the next villains will be and who will be playing them. We think the answers have been in The Dark Knight the entire time.
We’ll start with the Penguin.
Here is why we think the Bank Manager (played by William Fichtner) is “The Penguin”
The Bank Manager’s first line begins with a snort/grunt and then he says “You have any idea who you’re stealing from? You and your friends are dead.”
We’re led to believe by the next scene that the Bank Manager is talking about the mob. While yes, it is the mobs bank, the Bank Manager seems to take his job far more personally.
Next The Joker wounds the Bank Manager and he falls to the ground. It is in this scene that we see a look of recognition by The Joker. An I see your madness look.
The Joker and his henchmen have some words and then we get some dialogue between the Bank Manager and the Joker.
Bank Manager: “Think your smart huh? Well, the guy who hired you’s just do the same to you…”
The Joker disguised as Bozo shakes his head
Bank Manager: “Sure he will. Criminals in this town used to believe in things…” This line shows a level of elitism.
The Joker then crouches over the Bank Manager
Bank Manager: “Honor. Respect. What do you believe huh, what do you bel-”
The Joker then puts a grenade in the Bank Managers mouth and says ” I believe that what doesn’t kill you…” takes his Bozo mask off showing his face”…simply makes you stranger.”
The scene ends showing us that The Joker left the Bank Manager alive and traumatized.
We think that the Bank Manager will become the Penguin as he has the position to bring back the mob. He has also shown an elitist view which would lend itself quite well to being well dressed (tux) while being completely barbaric and ruthless.
Next, The Riddler.
Here is why we think Coleman Reese (played by Joshua Harto) is The Riddler.
Notice the smug look on his face. In his opening scene he licks his lips compulsively after he tries to blackmail Fox into keeping quiet about Bruce Wayne being Batman.
This scene indicates a sense of pleasure in out-smarting everyone involved. He figured it out.
His next scene is on TV as he is about to tell everyone that Bruce Wayne is Batman. Notice the compulsive lip play again.
In this scene a caller says “I wanna know how much they’re gonna pay you to say who Batman really is.”
Reese responds with “That’s simply not why I’m doing this.”
Afterwards The Joker calls in and has a monologue that includes putting a target on Reese by saying he would blow up a hospital if Reese were still alive in an hour.
Needless to say this creates a severe trauma for Coleman Reese.
As Reese and Commissioner Gordon are getting into a van Reese declares in shock ” They’re trying to kill me.” as Gordon quips “Well, maybe Batman will save you.”
Later Reese asks something like where are we gonna go? What are we gonna do?
The scene finishes with a truck attempting to smash into the SUV carrying Reese and Gordon only to be thwarted by Batman acting as Bruce Wayne. As the scene closes we see Reese having a moment of Recognition. He now sees that Batman is necessary.
We think that Reese will become The Riddler because he sees the need for Batman in Gotham. In this version his compulsions for telling the truth and his sense of justice will be twisted into creating riddles about Batman. He’ll wrap them in horrible crimes to show Gotham that they need Batman. It’s this twisted sense that makes him an enigma. He is doing horrible crimes because he wants to do good.
Gotham: Who needs the Batman?
I’m sure there are things I’ve left out but one more piece of circumstantial evidence is the dialogue between Batman and The Joker in the hanging upside down scene.
Batman says to The Joker “You’ll be in a padded cell, forever.”
The Joker Responds with “Maybe we can share it. They’ll need to double up, the rate this city’s inhabitants are losing their minds…”
And I think it is this that is telling. The Joker can say what he said because he has already seen it. He saw it in the eyes of the Bank Manager.
We could be completely wrong though…sorry. Also I’m tired while writing this so again.. sorry…
I think you’ve got some interesting thoughts. But I think the Joker’s words were referring to how he’d gotten the city to turn on itself in panic.
Also, I always wondered why they put the eyeliner on the mayor, but I don’t know enough about supporting characters in the Batman books to come to any conclusion on it. I think it’s too noticeable to be an accident (the eyeliner is evident in every scene he’s in, but never on any other character). I think this was done deliberately, but I have can only guess what it might mean. What are your thoughts on that?
Also, I think Fichner is too talented an actor to be put in such a small role. He’s nothing like what I know of the Penguin (not well-spoken enough, far too slim), but I wouldn’t be surprised (if the gas in his mouth wasn’t poisonous and he’s alive) if he shows up again.
Some good points. I’ll have to go back and check out the mayor’s eyes. The Bank Manager does talk with an accent which I also thought could be problematic, just not problematic enough to interfere with the other things I saw. I have to admit I’m not the biggest follower of Batman lore. Ultimately we simply thought these strings may tie to something bigger. Thanks for the feedback.
[Edit] As far as that Joker line at the end, I too think that it may very well be just that. The exception we saw was the fact the people on the boats didn’t blow each other up which showed Batman, The Joker, and the Audience some level of sanity amongst the citizenry still.
[Update] You’re right now that I think about it, I do remember seeing the eye liner in the theater and thinking WTF?.. then I quickly brushed it off due to the Tour De Force that was The Joker and a lack of knowledge about Batman villains. Perhaps he will become Black Mask.
I think you’re right about your Reese/Riddler theory, but not the Penguin one. I think the mob villain in Batman 3 will be Black Mask. I think an interesting backstory for him would be a flashbask to TDK, in which Two-Face scars one of the mobsters the way he was as a form of twisted revenge. This mobster then carves his mask to hide his injuries, and becomes a representation of how regular organized crime is being replaced with “freaks”.
It’s possible. I don’t know much about Black Mask. There definitely has to be a mob connection somewhere in the next one. I think the Bank Manager has to be someone, and I kind of think he looks a little avian. I’m going to have to read up on Black Mask as lots of people seem to really like him. I have a question about your back story idea. Did Two-Face go after all of the mob or only Maroni? The Joker is the one seen with the other bosses. Not that there isn’t room for what you are saying. Perhaps Maroni could be the one scarred? Not sure how close to the multi-source material they are sticking too.
I’ve never thought of it like that. Now you say it i can see it. And with Joshua Harto and William Fichtner playing the Riddler and the penquin it would keep to the pattern of lesser known people portraying big characters.
Mr. Reese. Say it out loud, and it sounds like “Mysteries”. Not as corny as E. Nigma, but that’s not Nolan’s style.
And I LOVE your Penguin idea.
Thanks Danny, and you are correct about the Mr. Reese thing. Pretty cool stuff…
Micheal C Hall as the Riddler. Both of these are so far off base its not even funny.
With regards to Mayor Eyeliner…Nestor Carbonell (the actor) has repeatedly stated that it is just very dark eyelashes that give him that appearance – he looks the same on LOST
MCH as the riddler, no question. He plays the funny yet disturbingly violent serial killer perfectly as dexter…he’d do well as a cryptic and efficiently brutal riddler
That’s some good info Jamie… Thanks… wasn’t aware…
This Hall certainly has many fans. I suspect it’ll go down like the dark knight did and everyone will disapprove of the chosen actor until we see the movie…
I think they should cast someone unorthodox to play the main villain. IDK, maybe bring in Halle Berry and have her play Catwoman… Or maybe she could wear a fat suit and be the Penguin.
what about scarecrow, he’s still out there on the loose?
Are you serious ….. sorry but it won’t happen…. see in the comic’s most of all Batman’s Villains have actual names … The Riddler is Edward Nigma (SORRY DANNY BUT IT’S NOT CORNY, IT’S FACT)…. The Penguin is Oswald Cobblepot and like Bruce Wayne, is a millionaire and the same age….. but instead of fighting crime like Bruce, he is part of the Mob (Not a banker, are you kidding)…. i could see Nolan putting a spin on the Penguin, more of a Bruce v.s. Oswalt.. two millionaires at war and then translate into Batman finding out that not only is part of the mob, but go by the name The Penguin by the other mobsters… But I just don’t see it
I think the Riddler will be in it for sure… but honestly I still think my theory still stands… the theory that Two Face is still alive and in hiding…. why do you think the cops are chasing Batman at the end…. cuz bats and Gordan don’t want Gotham to know what has become of Harvey Dent… as far as the people know, Harvey Dent was blown up in the Hospital…. So are villains are EDWARD NIGMA/ THE RIDDLER and Two Face, as for a love interest or female character…. one character that would go good with Nolan’s Batman … isn’t Catwomen .. but… Ra’s al Ghul’s daughter Talia al Ghul….. I see her being a love intrest to Bruce and a nemesis to Batman.
The reason that Nolan’s Batman stands out … is because, he’s true to the comics ….. having a banker play the penguin or creating a whole new identity for the riddler isn’t gonna go… it’s a good theory but if your a huge Batman fan like me and probably like Nolan … that’s what you don’t want to happen …. sorry man you wasted your time.