The slate for major DCEU projects is stacked for the next couple of years. Wonder Woman 1984 is still set to release this year, while DC FanDome recently shed light on some thrilling ones from 2021 and onward. Arguably the biggest one set for 2021 – as of now – is Matt Reeves' upcoming The Batman. The teaser trailer shown at FanDome sent shock waves of excitement throughout the world online and it's clear Reeves plans to launch an expansive Batman-focused universe.
This has become known when, in addition to a planned trilogy of films, a GCPD HBO series on HBO Max was announced from Reeves and Boardwalk Empire creator Terence Winter that will act as "Year One." With such an immersive world planned, there are bound to be a wide cast of characters across projects. Here are five that should be introduced in this world and five that shouldn't.
10 Should: Court Of Owls & Talon
The most talked-about piece of speculation since the trailer reveal for The Batman is the possible hinting at the first major live-action introduction of the Court of Owls. The Court, created by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo during New 52, has established themselves as fan-favorite modern Batman supervillains. Given the owl on Riddler's card at the beginning of the trailer and telling a Bruce Wayne that is very much in the dark that he's "part of this too," could fuel this theory.
The Court and Talon – since they're a package deal – would be fantastic inclusions in this world given the themes of long-running, deep-rooted corruption in Gotham. Interweaving the Wayne family to have been historically within the clutches of the Court would be a brilliant twist in a film set to be heavily noir, detective-mystery influenced. No one rich in Gotham City would go unnoticed by the Court of Owls.
9 Shouldn't: Harvey Dent/Two-Face
Without a doubt, Harvey Dent has been a pivotal and classic character in Batman mythos for decades now, both as an attorney and the infamous Two-Face. The "shouldn't" characters here aren't due to being uninteresting, and Harvey/Two-Face is mostly here due to already having a "recent" well-done, theatrical portrayal. Christopher Nolan's acclaimed The Dark Knight Trilogy introduced Harvey Dent and his descent into Two-Face in the sophomore entry.
Given Batman has the best rogues gallery in comics, there are plenty of major characters that deserve a modern touch-up/redemption, and Selina Kyle/Catwoman is already getting repeated. Perhaps if Harvey is incorporated in this universe but doesn't become Two-Face, retaining the friendship/partnership/dynamic with Batman and Gordon could be a good alternate take given the heavily-emphasized themes of fighting systematic corruption suit Harvey as a DA well.
8 Should: Lucius Fox
As shown in the last theatrical Batman trilogy, Lucius Fox proves to be an essential ally and friend to Batman/Bruce Wayne as he helps equip the nocturnal superhero with his arsenal of tools and cover his tracks to not attract suspicion. As it looks like Lucius Fox isn't cast in The Batman, it makes sense since Bruce is clearly using a more cobbled together Batsuit and gadgets (at least for part of the movie).
A good way to include him here would be to have Bruce gain his trust, friendship, and partnership in the second movie to show the billionaire gradually making the connections necessary to better arm himself in his crusade for justice.
7 Shouldn't: Robin (As Of Now)
Fans have surely been praying for a (good) live-action, theatrical Robin for ages, but, at least based on what this universe looks like as of now, he might not be suited for this setting. For one, both the GCPD prequel series and The Batman are early-career Batman (Year One and Two), so revealing Robin might not make enough sense as Bruce is too young to adopt an even-younger crime-fighting partner.
Granted, this could all change should the second/third films in this currently-planned trilogy undergo a time skip, giving a reason to show a fantastic adaptation of the origins of Dick Grayson like in Dark Victory. Though, they may need to age up Robert Pattinson.
6 Should: Thomas Elliot/Hush
Another modern supervillain that became a fan-favorite is Hush. He made his debut in Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee's hit series/arc Hush. The villain is revealed to be Thomas/Tommy Elliot, a childhood friend of Bruce who didn't grow up in a loving environment and grew hateful of his abusive father and submissive mother, murdering both and turning to crime.
Should this planned trilogy continue to play on mystery/sleuthing, Hush is a great addition and would be the first major, well-done, live-action adaptation of the character on the grandest stage. He's a fantastic, more direct foil to Bruce given his dark upbringing while also born into wealth and blessed with intellectual brilliance. While his identity won't be a surprise to many, he'd work great as part of a grander mystery.
5 Shouldn't: Lincoln March/Owlman
This character is a great supervillain particularly in Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's excellent Court of Owls arc, though familiarity is an issue for him. Meaning, he's too similar in concept and/or principle to the aforementioned Thomas Elliot/Hush. Lincoln March, later revealed as Owlman, turned out to be a former member of the Court (fittingly) before betraying and stealing from them.
Owlman alleges to be the forgotten son of Thomas and Martha Wayne, Thomas Jr., and garnered hatred for his own family, including his surviving brother. As far as this type of supervillain goes, Hush would get more attention if Reeves goes with a supervillain tied to Bruce's childhood.
4 Should: Andrea Beaumont
Selina Kyle is being reintroduced theatrically in The Batman, but a new dynamic would be welcome. Giving Bruce a new romantic interest that grounds him to reality, but has more depth and identity than Rachel Dawes, would be compelling. Andrea Beaumont was a romantic interest and anti-hero in the beloved Mask of the Phantasm.
Andrea was a rare romantic interest that wasn't just relegated as such, having more substance and character than most. Her motivations for becoming a vigilante would make for an exciting, and potentially beautiful, developing relationship and dynamic between the two troubled souls.
3 Shouldn't: Joker...Maybe
Likely the most and least controversial character in this discussion is the Joker. The infamous Clown Prince of Crime has accumulated the reputation as the best Batman supervillain and one of the best – or the best – in comics. Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix gave Oscar-worthy performances in The Dark Knight and Joker, though oversaturation is looking to be an issue.
Since 2008, audiences have seen three live-action/theatrical Jokers. While working him in this world after potentially teasing his influence in the trailer could be great with what Reeves would hypothetically do with Joker, it wouldn't be bad to make way for other worthy characters.
2 Should: Hugo Strange
Speaking of worthy and underrepresented Batman supervillains, Hugo Strange is one such example. He arguably shot up in popularity more in the critically-acclaimed Batman: Arkham City video game. Like the emphasis on noir and mystery, the psychology of Bruce/Batman is looking to be a major focus, and Strange is a perfect catalyst for such exploration.
Unlike Riddler, Hugo Strange doesn't necessarily have an inferiority complex that is fixated on Batman, rather, he seemingly fetishizes Batman's dark, psychological inner workings. And unlike Scarecrow, Strange isn't a psychiatrist obsessed by the concept/weaponization of fear.
1 Shouldn't: Professor Pyg
Professor Pyg ranks high on the list of mentally disturbed supervillains, though he presents a similar issue as having both Hush and Owlman in this universe. Pyg's defining characteristic is his twisted view on human beings as incomplete creatures, which he takes it upon himself to lobotomize, dismember, and mangle together hybrid abominations in his image.
But as far as psychopathic serial-killer villains with sadistic gimmicks, Riddler looks to have that covered and in a more interesting/compelling fashion. Pyg would likely come off as stale after Riddler.