The Batman by Matt Reeves, starring Robert Pattinson, was able to create a great impact on audiences, being the rare instance of a DC film doing well with fans and critics alike. However, it seems the Reeves-verse is more interested in updating Batman’s mythos than just playing off of popular characters like The Joker. Batman’s Rogues Gallery offers a myriad of monstrous foes in human form that this approach can take advantage of.
Hugo Strange is one of the more deranged characters of the Batman mythos, squarely fitting into the description of ‘criminally insane’. The character has done some pretty depraved things, working in Arkham Asylum with criminals, and planning the downfall of Batman. Given the complexity and the introduction of Arkham Asylum, it is possible that Strange might be the villain for Batman: Part II.
Hugo Strange might be the most dangerous of Batman’s villains
Despite lacking any powers or gimmicks like most of Batman’s other villains do, Hugo Strange is as dastardly as they come. A psychologist who has worked closely with Batman’s many villains, Strange does one thing that makes him an especially dangerous adversary to the Bat of Gotham: Hugo Strange knows that Bruce Wayne is Batman.
The character has committed some of the most gut-wrenching and depraved crimes in Batman’s history, appearing in multiple iterations of Batman stories as the ultimate villain of the Caped Crusader. Of all the things that he is obsessed with, Strange wants one thing above all else, and that is to steal the identity of Batman for himself.
One of the most prominent appearances of the character comes from the Arkham series, where the character spends a lot of time studying Batman, deducing his identity. Then, going forward, he teams up with Ra’s al Ghul to bring the Bat down, take over the League of Assassins and Gotham, and steal the secrets of immortality.
Hugo Strange is the perfect villain for Batman: Part II
At the end of The Batman, the superhero had decided that he did not want to be vengeance. He wanted to be something that people can look up to, something that makes people feel safe and not afraid. He decided that Batman was to be a symbol of hope. Hope for a better world, in as depraved and corrupt a town as Gotham.
Hugo Strange, who has masqueraded as the Bat before, could easily do some very bad PR for Batman. This would come at the heels of tearing into Bruce Wayne, and forcing him to choose between killing or sparing Strange, given that he knew that Wayne was indeed Batman. Sparing Strange, therefore, would have put all of his allies, from Alfred to Selena Kyle to Detective Gordon in danger. Given that he works in Arkham, he could also let the identity slip to one of his nemeses, creating a less-than-ideal situation for Bruce Wayne.
