5 Great Batman Villains Who Haven't Been In a Film Yet

Dec 8

Penguin, Poison Ivy, Joker, Two-Face, Killer Croc playing poker — Image Source: CBR

These days, it seems like a new comic book movie project is being announced every six seconds, especially with DC Comics properties like Batman. But while nothing hypes, excites, and (let’s face it) divides the internet like a new Batman project, the Caped Crusader’s films suffer from a significant problem—repeated villains. Each Batman project seems to have the same old villains like Bane, Riddler, Ra’s al Ghul, Catwoman, and God knows we’ve seen enough of the Joker. Rather than subject us to another of these repeated rogues, here’s a list of five other Batman baddies that DC could use.

5. Man-Bat

We start this list off with an unusual and oft-neglected villain. Man-Bat was born Kirk Langstrom, a brilliant scientist and biologist (you see this pattern a lot with Batman villains) with a keen interest in chiropterology or the study of bats. Motivated to stop his growing deafness, Langstrom created a serum that would give humans bat-like sonar and echolocation abilities, only for the serum to turn him into a hideous bat monster. It did not entirely cure Kirk’s deafness, but it did give him superhuman strength, senses, and the ability to fly.

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While Batman projects have been taking a more “grounded” approach lately, prospective producers and directors have spoken of taking Batman-centric projects in “new directions.” If a story involving Man-Bat could be approached in a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde sort of way, then it could be a great way to marry the mystery elements of Batman with some survival horror themes. But the big question remains, will Gotham be big enough for two bats?

4. Hugo Strange

Though a more grounded villain than others in Batman’s rogue’s gallery, Doctor Hugo Strange is no less dangerous. In addition to being a brilliant psychiatrist, Strange is also a multi-disciplinary genius across disciplines like chemistry, medicine, hypnosis, and genetics, the latter of which he has used to turn his own patients into Frankenstein-like monstrosities. He is also a cunning strategist, being among the first people in DC Comics to figure out Batman’s true identity as Bruce Wayne. On top of that, he is trained to peak physical condition, strong enough to go mano a Batmano with the Dark Knight himself.

Strange’s appearances in Batman media have seen an uptick in his popularity, most notably in the 2004 Batman animated series, Batman: Arkham City, and his first live-action appearance in Gotham, played by B.D. Wong. This shift in popularity should be a clear sign to any director that Strange needs his own movie with Batman. Much like the aforementioned Man-Bat, a Strange film has the potential for a monster or weird fiction horror, thanks to his penchant for creating “Monster Men,” and his background as a psychiatrist. There is a lot of potential for a cat-and-mouse psychological thriller reminiscent of the Matt Reeves Batman movie.

3. Professor Pyg

Another former scientist, Lazlo Valentin suffered a severe schizophrenic breakdown that made him unfit to practice medicine. He then turned himself to a life of crime. Adopting the name “Pyg” after the fabled sculptor Pygmalion, Valentin begins his twisted pursuit of making people “perfect” by way of abducting them and disfiguring them into gruesome, sub-human creatures.

Though a relatively recent villain, debuting in Batman & Robin #1 (2009), Pyg is among the most insidious and disturbed people in Batman’s Rogues Gallery. In addition to being a murderer and black market surgeon, Pyg delights in torturing and driving people insane, mutilating their broken bodies into “Dollotrons,” all in the pursuit of making his victims “perfect.” Many have called Pyg one of the greatest yet disturbing comic book villains of the modern age. With his growing popularity and DC Entertainment’s growing plan to explore darker themes, a film with Pyg is sure to increase any Batman film’s “creepy” factor.

2. Hush

Thomas “Tommy” Elliot was born to wealthy parents who neglected him. His father was an abusive drunk, and his mother was a frivolous socialite. Their abuse culminated in Elliot attempting to kill his parents by severing their car brakes and seize the family fortune for himself, only to be thwarted by the surgical prowess of Thomas Wayne, Bruce Wayne’s father. This caused Elliot to harbor a deep hatred towards Bruce, which carried into adulthood, even as the former became a renowned Harvard doctor and neurosurgeon. It was not until years later that Elliot would find the chance to capitalize on his vendetta, recruiting the twisted genius of the Riddler to deduce Batman’s true identity as Bruce Wayne and bring both down, adopting the moniker of “Hush.”

In addition to his top-tier surgical skills and medical knowledge, Hush is a strategic and manipulative mastermind. He is able to trick powerful supervillains like Riddler, Killer Croc, and Poison Ivy into his cause. Hush is also a formidable fighter and marksman, deadly at both long and close range with his M1911 handguns. His discipline, mentality, and skill make Hush a dark foil to Batman, all the more reason to include him in a Batman film. One could see an exploration of Bruce Wayne and Tommy Elliot’s childhoods, and how they coped with their past experiences. Batman would see how far he could have fallen had his and Tommy’s roles been reversed.

1. Deathstroke

Arguably the most infamous villain on this list, Slade Wilson (not to be confused with Wade Wilson) was a decorated U. S. soldier who emerged from an experimental program with enhanced strength, speed, senses, intelligence, and a metahuman healing factor. Deadlier than ever, Wilson put his newfound abilities to the test, becoming feared the world over as Deathstroke the Terminator. This put him in conflict with countless groups, most notably the Teen Titans (becoming their arch-nemesis) and even the Justice League.

With such a resume as the most feared assassin in the world, it is no wonder that Deathstroke is one of the most hotly requested villains for a Batman movie. Fans were treated to a live-action portrayal of the character in Arrow, which despite taking some creative liberties, was lauded by fans and critics alike, no doubt due to the stellar (and intense) performance of Manu Bennett. True Blood alum and Dungeon and Dragons superfan Joe Manganiello was set to portray Deathstroke in Ben Affleck’s solo Batman film, only for the project to be dropped. Manganiello is optimistic that he will reprise his role again. However, only time will tell with all the shake-ups at Warner Bros and DC Comics. Will fans finally get their Deathstroke and Batman showdown?

These are five Batman villains who deserve their own feature film. The only question left? Which villain will grace (or plague) the big screen first?

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