James Gunn has been meticulously planning his new DCU for Warner Bros and has big plans on how to expand the universe. Having learned from the failure of the previous regime, Gunn wants to bring in a fresh approach and style to the new universe he’s creating, which means new storylines and characters that fans have not seen before on the big screen.
The DC head is bringing back the core characters of the franchise, including Superman and Batman. The latter is yet to be cast and fans have already started wondering about which antagonist he will face against. Instead of repeating the hero’s usual rogues gallery including Joker and Penguin, Gunn should bring in other compelling villains to keep The Brave and the Bold refreshing.
These 5 Fresh Batman Villains Are Great Picks For James Gunn’s Batman: The Brave and The Bold
Fans were excited when James Gunn announced Batman: The Brave and the Bold for his new DCU. The film will be the introduction of the Bat Family and will feature Bruce Wayne and his son Damian Wayne. Little information about the plot is revealed but the film is rumored to be directed by Andy Muschietti, who directed The Flash in 2023.
There have been no details on which character will play the antagonist of the film. Batman has had a complex and large rogues gallery but cinematically, only a handful of villains like Joker, Penguin, etc have been recycled again and again. Thus, Gunn needs to introduce a fresh villain for the film to make things interesting. Here are 5 amazing foes for the father-son duo.
1. Hush
Tommy Elliot aka Hush could be a great antagonist to Batman in Brave and the Bold as he has a personal connection to Bruce Wayne. Elliot had a big grudge against the Waynes as they were the reason why he couldn’t inherit his parents’ fortune after he tried to kill them. Bruce becomes his target in the future as he seeks vengeance.
The character could be a great way to explore facets of Bruce’s past that have not been extensively explored except for the death of his parents. With Damian in the mix, Hush could manipulate him to come to his side which will bring complexity to the trio’s dynamic.
2. Hugo Strange
This maniacal villain is one of the first to face off against the cape crusader in the comics and find out his secret identity. Bruce Wayne has always been haunted by the death of his parents and this vulnerable side of the hero could be a great attacking point for Hugo Strange, who is known for his psychological tactics and Hannibal Lecter-esque qualities.
Hugo Strange does not need any monsters or supervillains to subdue Batman. His sinister psychosis of Batman by bringing up his past can be a compelling story point for Brave and the Bold. It will also keep the film grounded and intense.
3. Clayface
If James Gunn wants to go all out with an action-heavy comic book film with Brave and the Bold, Clayface would be a great villain for the film. The character surprisingly hasn’t appeared in live-action films yet despite his great reputation. He will be a perfect foil for Batman as his powers, including super strength and shape-shifting abilities, can counter his detective skills and gadgets.
Gunn can also somehow weave in a personal link between the two characters for the film to make their rivalry more impactful and compelling. Clayface can be a terrifying villain for fans if it is written and designed well.
4. Mad Hatter
If fans want a trippy and wild ride with Brave and the Bold, Mad Hatter should go up against Batman and Damian Wayne. A neuroscientist who believes he is Hatter from Alice in Wonderland, Jervis Tetch has a sad past that will be interesting to see on screen. The elusive villain is known for his mind control devices that he is not shy of using on his victims.
Mad Hatter can manipulate Batman and Damian Wayne by using his devices and making them go against each other. He can also bring some wild psychological effects on Bruce by screwing with his mind and breaking him down mentally, which would be terrifying for fans to watch.
5. Professor Pyg
James Gunn can go for a very grounded noir tone with Brave and the Bold by including Professor Pyg as the villain. Similar to Matt Reeves’ The Batman where The Riddler kills innocent people in grotesque ways, Pyg is also a sadistic schizophrenic individual who takes pleasure in killing civilians, mutilating them, and doing weird surgeries on them (making them Dollotrons).
The insane and disturbing nature of the character will certainly be a captivating conflict for Batman to deal with. Pyg’s addition can bring in the detective skills of Batman into focus as he solves the crimes while also showing instances of brutality, reminding fans of real-life serial killers.
