Matt Reeves Rules Out ‘Fantastical’ Villains for The Batman Part 2

Matt Reeves Rules Out 'Fantastical' Villains for The Batman Part 2

As a lifelong fan of Batman and all things DC, I have to say that Matt Reeves’ approach to The Batman franchise has been nothing short of impressive. While I was initially skeptical about the Gentlemen Ghost being introduced in Part II, his recent comments on keeping the series grounded have only solidified my faith in him as a director.


As “The Penguin” nears release, director Matt Reeves has started working on “The Batman – Part II.” He’s recently shared some insights into how fantastical the franchise will become. The first film introduced supervillains like The Riddler, Catwoman, and The Penguin, hinting at the Joker for a possible sequel. Fans have been brainstorming about who Batman might confront in the second installment. Although the Joker was hinted, fans have also pondered over possibilities such as The Court of Owls, Two-Face, and even Clayface appearing in the next chapter. However, it seems that Reeves has dismissed some outlandish supervillains from consideration, particularly one character he won’t be using

In an interview with SFX Magazine (as reported by Variety), Keanu Reeves discussed the possibility of The Batman: Part II featuring supernatural or otherworldly antagonists, including The Gentlemen Ghost. This spectral character made its debut in Flash Comics #88 from October 1947 and is traditionally linked with enemies of Hawkman, Hawkgirl, or the Justice Society of America. Interestingly, The Gentlemen Ghost has cropped up in Batman: Caped Crusader on Prime Video, a series Reeves produced. This appearance has left fans speculating whether this could hint at less earthbound adversaries for Reeves’s live-action Gotham City

“Our goal was to create a realistic setting for these universally recognized pop icons and mythical figures, making Gotham seem like a place within our own world. We might venture towards the surreal but we aim to stay rooted in reality. The story should feel quite grounded, even though beloved characters will certainly appear.”

What we’re aiming for aligns perfectly with your suggestion. The Ghostly Gentleman may have been pushed slightly beyond our comfort zone, making it challenging to figure out how to proceed. However, it’s exciting to brainstorm methods to incorporate characters that verge on the fantastical and make their presence plausible within our narrative

What Villains Are Likely to Feature in The Batman Part 2?

Matt Reeves Rules Out 'Fantastical' Villains for The Batman Part 2Matt Reeves Rules Out 'Fantastical' Villains for The Batman Part 2Matt Reeves Rules Out 'Fantastical' Villains for The Batman Part 2Matt Reeves Rules Out 'Fantastical' Villains for The Batman Part 2Matt Reeves Rules Out 'Fantastical' Villains for The Batman Part 2

Matt Reeves appears to be following a strategy similar to Christopher Nolan when it comes to portraying Batman’s adversaries, focusing on characters that are more realistic and grounded, such as Joker, Catwoman, and Two-Face. In contrast, villains like Bane and Ra’s Al Ghul will likely be depicted in a way that makes them more relatable to the real world rather than superpowered enemies like Poison Ivy, Mr. Freeze, or Man-Bat. However, there are still several characters like Hush, Professor Pyg, and Mad Hatter that fit within Reeves’ approach. This suggests that the more fantastical villains could be reserved for James Gunn’s DCU Batman in “Brave in the Bold.”

In “Batman: Caped Crusader,” there’s a possibility that some well-known Batman villains could be given fresh interpretations by Reeves. For instance, the debut of Clayface in this series, who lacked superpowers and was originally a criminal after being a movie star, might be carried over to “The Batman Part II.” Unlike its predecessor, which drew influence from ’70s crime dramas such as “Chinatown” and “Taxi Driver,” as well as David Fincher’s work, the sequel could delve into the realm of body horror, akin to the works of directors like David Cronenberg or John Carpenter. This would result in grotesque reinterpretations of characters such as Man-Bat, Killer Croc, and the traditional Clayface

It can be intriguing, rather than strictly accurate, to observe how Reeves reimagines some of Batman’s more extraordinary adversaries and integrates them into the universe he has built

The Batman – Part II
opens in theaters on October 2, 2026.

Read More

Sorry. No data so far.

2024-09-05 15:46