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http://wiw.org/~jess/archives/2008/07/22/bat-villains/

As we all know, the success of any superhero flick has as much to do with the villains as the good guys. So, with The Dark Knight setting box office records around the world, which of his many foes should Batman face off against in the inevitable follow-up? Let’s take a look at the Caped Crusader’s rogues gallery and get an idea of which characters might work in a Dark Knight sequel…and which characters might not. Feel free to offer your picks (as well as casting ideas) in the comments section.

Warning: Minor spoilers for The Dark Knight ahead!

Catwoman

Why she’s the right choice: After seeing The Dark Knight, I can only assume that any sequel will need a new female lead. Who better than Selina Kyle, a.k.a. Catwoman, to fill that role? She’s one of Batman’s oldest and most established foes — not to mention a potential love interest for the Caped Crusader.

Except: Scriptwriter David Goyer expressed a lack of enthusiasm about Catwoman in some pre-Dark Knight interviews. Plus, with Halle Berry’s Catwoman debacle still fresh in moviegoers’ minds, will Warner Bros. be interested in going down that road again so soon?

Hugo Strange

Why he’s the right choice: In the comics, Hugo Strange was one of Batman’s first recurring villains (predating, in fact, every other character on this list). I’d argue there’s potential in a movie version of Strange based on his portrayal as Arkham Asylum’s Batman-obsessed Chief Psychologist in The Batman. In past stories, Hugo Strange has used his training as a psychologist to deduce Batman’s secret identity, which would certainly raise the stakes in a Dark Knight sequel.

Except: Compared to many characters on this list, Hugo Strange is perhaps too unfamiliar to casual fans. That being said, Ra’s al Ghul was fairly obscure, too — until he appeared in Batman Begins.

The Riddler

Why he’s the right choice: As one of the more prominent members of Batman’s rogues gallery, Riddler’s convoluted crime sprees put the Dark Knight’s intellect — as opposed to his physical prowess or high-tech gadgetry — to the test. Featuring the Riddler as the next film’s villain would give Batman a chance to live up to his reputation as the World’s Greatest Detective.

Except: While Riddler is certainly a more cerebral foe than most other Bat-villains, his traditional portrayal as a giggling madman in a question-mark suit (favored by Frank Gorshin in 1960s television series and Jim Carrey in Batman Forever) might not fit with the more serious tone set by Nolan’s Bat-films. That being said, I could see the Riddler “reimagined” as a Se7en-esque serial killer with a deep-seated compulsion to leave behind clues that ultimately lead to his own capture.

Harley Quinn

Why she’s the right choice: First introduced in Batman: The Animated Series, Harley Quinn is the Joker’s much put-upon Girl Friday. A film version of Harley — perhaps a psychiatrist driven mad by her obsession with the Joker after his chaotic appearance in Gotham — could seek revenge against the Batman for incarcerating her beloved “Mister J.” Harley Quinn would not only add a much-needed female presence to the Dark Knight sequel, but also inject a little madcap humor into the franchise.

Except: Unfortunately, Harley Quinn’s presence in there Dark Knight sequel would only underscore the absence of Heath Ledger as the Joker.

The Ventriloquist

Why she’s the right choice: You want twisted? How about a seemingly mild-mannered guy who plans and commits crimes through his domineering ventriloquist dummy, a self-styled 1920s gangster nicknamed Scarface? The whole “multiple personality” angle could make for a fascinating storyline as we witness Scarface moving up through the ranks to become the new boss of Gotham City’s criminal underworld.

Except: The Ventriloquist is a character who worked incredibly well on Batman: The Animated Series, but I have a feeling that any live-action version of the character would come across as totally corny.

The Penguin

Why he’s the right choice: Forget the bizarre sewer mutant portrayed by Danny DeVito in Batman Returns. The Penguin is a high-society criminal — a mobster with a penchant for trick umbrellas. In recent years, he has been portrayed in the comics as the owner of a nightclub (the Iceberg Lounge) and a source of information on the Gotham City underworld.

Except: Like Catwoman, scriptwriter David Goyer has also expressed reluctance to include the Penguin in the Dark Knight sequel. If an appearance as the villain in the Dark Knight sequel is out of the question, perhaps a small role as an informant could work.

Talia al Ghul

Why she’s the right choice: Ra’s al Ghul’s daughter Talia has long been a fixture in the comics — typically portrayed as a love interest for Batman, torn between her attraction to the Caped Crusader and her devotion to her father. Again, the next film needs a female presence , and a “Batman falls in love with the daughter of one of his greatest enemies” subplot certainly opens up intriguing storytelling possibilities.

Except: It could prove difficult to incorporate Talia al Ghul into a Dark Knight sequel without resurrecting her father, as well. Of course, this is a good time to remember the cardinal rule of comic book deaths: if we didn’t see the corpse, Ra’s al Ghul probably isn’t dead.

Mr. Freeze

Why he’s the right choice: With his terminally-ill wife trapped in a cryogenic deep-freeze while he searches for a cure for her condition, Mr. Freeze could certain bring pathos to a Dark Knight sequel. Furthermore, Mr. Freeze’s ice gun presents an excellent opportunity to run wild with special effects as he battles Batman.

Except: A dude with a freeze ray and a refrigeration suit? That’s a little hard to swallow in the context of Nolan’s more down-to-earth interpretation of the Batman mythos. Besides, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s performance in Batman & Robin still hangs around the character’s neck like a frozen albatross. “Ice to see you!”

Poison Ivy

Why she’s the right choice: As noted, the Batman films are in need of more female characters, and Poison Ivy could certainly fill that void. I’d love to see Tilda Swinton step into the role, discarding the bad Mae West impression Uma Thurman adopted for the character in Batman & Robin and instead playing Ivy as a truly sinister foe for the Batman.

Except: She appeared in Batman & Robin (never a good thing). Furthermore, her ability to telepathically control plants stretches a bit beyond the realm of believability. That being said, a more realistic turn as a plant-loving eco-terrorist could strike the right tone for a Dark Knight sequel.

Killer Croc

Why he’s the right choice: He’s big. He’s strong. He’s certainly a physical threat to Batman.

Except: He’s a crocodile/human hybrid. That’s a bit of a stretch for the more realistic vibe Nolan has pursued in the first two Nolan films. It would take a serious revamping to make Croc work in a Dark Knight sequel. Maybe a low-level thug with filed-down teeth and a bad skin condition?

Hush

Why he’s the right choice: A relatively new addition to the Batman mythos, Hush is Dr. Thomas Elliot — once Bruce Wayne’s childhood friend, now his bitter enemy. Unlike most other villains included in this list, Hush is dedicated not to defeating the Batman, but rather to destroying Bruce Wayne’s life. It’s a unique twist that, coupled with Hush’s striking visuals (the character is portrayed in the comics with a trenchcoat and bandaged face), could translate quite well to a Dark Knight sequel.

Except: He’s a rather obscure character who’s never been adapted to any medium outside of the Batman comics. That being said, the audience’s lack of familiarity with Hush gives the filmmakers a blank slate to tweak the character as they sees fit.

Bane

Why he’s the right choice: Batman & Robin dropped the ball in its portrayal of the muscle-bound Bane. Big surprise, right? Not only is Bane Batman’s physical superior, he’s also a cunning, intelligent foe — not some lumbering oaf that can barely string together a sentence. His strength enhanced by the drug Venom, Bane even managed to break Batman’s back during the “Knightfall” storyline of the early 1990s. Playing up the Venom angle, a reimagined film version of Bane could be responsible for spreading a dangerous new drug to Gotham City…requiring Batman to intercede.

Except: Visually, Bane would need to be toned down somewhat to fit into a Dark Knight sequel. Muscles on top of muscles, squeezed into singlet, and topped off with a mask that’s one part luchador and one fetish gear might be a little hard to reconcile. Also, like Poison Ivy and Mr. Freeze, the Batman & Robin taint still lingers on Bane eleven years later.

The Mad Hatter

Why he’s the right choice: Batman: The Animated Series worked wonders with its dark portrayal of this second-tier Bat-villain. Jervis Tetch is a brilliant neural engineer who develops sophisticated mind-control technology and puts it to use for his own gain. Taking a cue from Lewis Carroll’s Wonderland novels, he dubs himself the Mad Hatter and embarks on a life of crime.

Except: While there’s an inherent creepiness to a guy with mind control powers and an obsession with Alice in Wonderland, the Mad Hatter would likely feel out of place in Nolan’s grittier Gotham City. I suspect he’s the kind of character who just wouldn’t work in live action. Then again, is he really any sillier than the Scarecrow?

Man-Bat

Why he’s the right choice: In terms of action-packed setpieces, what could top seeing Batman locked in aerial combat with Dr. Kirk Langstrom, the monstrous Man-Bat, high above the streets of Gotham City?

Except: Same deal as Killer Croc — how do you work a bat/human hybrid into what’s been a somewhat realistic crime drama to this point?

Clayface

Why he’s the right choice: With his shapeshifting powers, Clayface is one of Batman’s most visually-compelling foes.

Except: Clayface is also one of Batman’s most far-fetched foes. Based on the tone set by Nolan in his first two Batman films, I can’t imagine Clayface fitting into the franchise (unless he’s revamped virtually beyond recognition).

Holiday

Why he’s the right choice: Considering the focus on Gotham City’s organized crime families thus far in Nolan’s Batman films, a mysterious figure who murders a series of mafiosi over the course of a year — striking each time on a different holiday — could fit right in with the franchise’s tone. Moreover, Holiday would present an opportunity for Batman to play detective as he attempts to deduce the killer’s identity.

Except: Having appeared only in the Jeph Loeb’s Batman: The Long Halloween, Holiday is another low-profile Bat-villain, unfamiliar to most moviegoers. Plus, it would be difficult to build and maintain suspense in a narrative stretched out over the course of an entire year.

Lex Luthor

Why he’s the right choice: In the comics these days, Lex Luthor is no longer portrayed as a mad scientist intent on taking over the world. Instead, he’s one of the world’s wealthiest and most powerful men. In turn, Luthor in a position to serve as a worthy adversary to both Batman and Bruce Wayne.

Except: He’s Superman’s archenemy. As much fun as it might be watching LexCorp and Wayne Enterprises face off on the big screen, inserting Luthor into the Batman franchise also risks contamination via a possible Brandon Routh cameo. And that’s the last thing we want, right?