6 Most Likely Villains To Replace Deathstroke In Matt Reeves' THE BATMAN

It's obvious The Batman is undergoing some changes since Matt Reeves took over, hence why Joe Manganiello isn't sure if he's still in it! Here are six replacements for Deathstroke as the big bad.

By JoshWilding - Jun 02, 2017 08:06 AM EST

Filed Under: The Batman

The Batman has faced something of a troubled production and while Matt Reeves is signed up to direct, we don't know for sure if the movie is going to happen. Not too long ago, star Joe Manganiello revealed that he's not even sure if he's still in it, a sign perhaps that Deathstroke is being replaced by a villain Reeves would actually like to use in the movie more than the man known as The Terminator.

While there's a chance we'll see Deathstroke in The Batman and that he'll have a role of some sort (even if it's no longer as the lead villain), what if he does end up being replaced by someone?

Well, what you'll find here is a look at the six villains we believe are the most likely candidates to take over from Deathstroke in The Batman. Some could see him still incorporated while others would change the movie completely, but they all stand a chance of showing up in this movie for a variety of reasons. Don't expect to find the same old names either as we've come up with some fun ideas...

6. The Court Of Owls

The Court of Owls may not be as iconic as some of the other villains you'll find on this list, but there's no denying that they could make for a very effective group of villains in The Batman. After all, Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's story introducing the clandestine group secretly in charge of Gotham City changed The Dark Knight's world in a major way and while someone like Talon isn't as well-known as Batman's other foes, he would make for a great opponent for the hero.

Lincoln March (a man who claims to be Bruce Wayne's brother) could even be thrown into the mix and that actually feels like a perfect role for Casey Affleck. Whatever direction this version of The Batman takes, The Court of Owls definitely has a lot of potential as a foil for the Caped Crusader, unlike anything we've ever seen on the big screen before now. That could be exactly what this solo movie needs to freshen Batman up too.

Hush is a villain that some fans love and others seem to hate, but he's not actually the main reason I want to see him on the big screen in The Batman. If you cast your minds back to the comic book storyline where he was introduced, you'll no doubt remember that he sent a variety of the Dark Knight's greatest foes after his childhood friend and while I wouldn't expect them all to show up here, there's no denying that it would be great fun to see Ben Affleck's Batman pitted against the likes of Killer Croc, Catwoman, and even Jason Todd (hell, you could even keep Deathstroke in the mix).

Outside of those cameos, Hush definitely has potential and would make this a very personal story which opens the door to flashbacks featuring Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Thomas Wayne and Lauren Cohan as his wife Martha. Hush may not be Batman's greatest foe but his presence here could help make this the iconic superhero's greatest movie!

Mr. Freeze was last seen in Batman and Robin (I'm not going to include the Gotham version because, well, the show sucks) and enough time has now passed for us to see him once again take centre stage. While he could definitely be called one of the Caped Crusader's sillier foes, it would be a lot of fun seeing a contemporary take on the villain and you need only look at the Arkham video games for an idea of where this movie could take him.

By the time The Batman is released, it will have been a good seven years since he last had a solo adventure and while that's led some fans to conclude that the movie should be big in terms of storyline and scale, a personal story between Batman and Mr. Freeze could be a refreshing change of pace which both explores the darker side of Bruce Wayne's home but still provides us with the sort of story and crazy visuals we've come to love seeing in the source material over the years.

Back Next

3. Two-Face

Two-Face is another villain we've already seen on the big screen, but there's an awful lot which could be done with a new take on the villain. Joel Schumacher made him an over the top caricature, while Christopher Nolan took things down a very grounded route which was in many ways much closer to the comic books. However, a Harvey Dent who has been horribly scarred for years would make for a very different sort of opponent for Batman as his history with both Bruce Wayne and Commissioner Gordon would result in a new type of story where we get to explore the history between the trio.

It wouldn't be the easiest task for Warner Bros. to come up with something new given the villain's history on the big screen, but providing Matt Reeves can dream up an inventive take which both borrows from the source material and gives us a fresh new story putting Two-Face up there with the likes of The Joker and Bane in terms of how iconic he is in the eyes of moviegoers, we could be on to a real winner here!

Back Next

2. Calendar Man

The one thing which has been missing from pretty much each and every Batman movie over the years is the fact that Bruce Wayne also just so happens to be the World's Greatest Detective. That's why a good old-fashioned crime story has so much potential to be something special and Calendar Man fits the bill perfectly for that. He may not be one of the Dark Knight's flashier foes, but The Long Halloween is correctly acknowledged as one of the best Batman stories ever and a loose adaptation would work very nicely here.

Other heroes and villains could appear, but a back to basics approach would serve The Batman well and there would still be plenty of room for the hero to come across some familiar faces. Can you imagine him visiting The Joker in Arkham Asylum for advice? Even if that doesn't happen, Calendar Man could help make this adventure something very unique in the crowded superhero movie genre.

Back Next

1. Red Hood

Now, you may be wondering why The Joker isn't listed here and this is the reason why. I understand that many of you didn't like Jared Leto's take on The Clown Prince of Crime in Suicide Squad and that you would rather not see the villain take centre stage in a Batman movie for the third time, but using Jason Todd as the lead antagonist in this release would mean The Joker could appear in flashbacks and sets the stage for him and The Dark Knight to once again cross paths in the present day somewhere down the line.

Fans have made it clear they want to see Batman take on the Red Hood on the big screen and Warner Bros. must realise that they need to get that group of moviegoers back on side after some creative decisions (the looks of both The Joker and Doomsday spring instantly to mind) which have alienated them. Deathstroke could still make a brief appearance as an aquaintance of Todd's, but the Red Hood showing up opens the door to all sorts of possibilities, including a spinoff for the former Robin.

Which of these villains would you most like to see show up in The Batman? As always, be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments section down below.

Back

REACHER Star Alan Ritchson Continues To Let It Be Known That He Wants To Play BATMAN In James Gunn's DCU

Recommended For You:

Jake Gyllenhaal Recalls Christopher Nolan Calling Him To Reveal He'd Missed Out On BATMAN BEGINS Role

DISCLAIMER: ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and... [MORE]

ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

Do you have what it takes to write for us?

Want to contribute?

158 Comments

1 2 3 4

JoeMomma29 - 6/1/2017, 6:59 AM

Hmmmmmm who said he is being replaced?

WW is a solid 8.5 out of 10!!!!!!!

CaptainA - 6/2/2017, 8:14 AM

@JoeMomma29 - Still hoping to see Deathstroke.

I think Redhood might be to similar to the Winter Soldier movie

Invictor - 6/2/2017, 8:05 AM

@JoshWilding

BloodyBed - 6/2/2017, 8:10 AM

@Invictor - and people say the mcu is for children, when they just want to kill people throughout time and space for forever.

TheScarletTroll - 6/2/2017, 8:13 AM

@Invictor - Hard to do something new, huh?

"Bunch of people running around in outfits, blowing up cities"

Well I mean, if you wanna boil it down to that...

"Superhero movie starring someone in a red and blue outfit and set during a World War".

When you boil it down to superficial details like that, Wonder Woman isn't sounding too original now is it?

(Actually hyped for Wonder Woman, just not having Pine's BS)

NeverRight - 6/2/2017, 8:19 AM

@ALostCause - The MCU is mostly geared towards the under 12 audience, but there are still a lot of parts of the MCU older fans can enjoy as well.

ConnorHawkeye - 6/2/2017, 8:21 AM

@ALostCause - okay. so I dont like the mcu for kids arguement, but I will say this. 4 movies in, the dceu has taken stakes and consequences much more seriously than the mcu did early on

MyCoolYoung - 6/2/2017, 8:22 AM

@Invictor - I don't think his comments should be taken too seriously. I mean from what he says he doesn't even seem to have a passing knowledge of what infinity war is about.

And while we're on the subject, yes marvel movies, superhero movies in general, blow up things but they have character development, motives, etc I get tired of the "these aren't real movies crowd" because they don't overload their movies with symbolism and exposition

ConnorHawkeye - 6/2/2017, 8:25 AM

@TheScarletTroll - hey, everything boiled down demeans what it is. Cap tfa was as original as wonder woman is.

As for something new, I think he is talking about how the entire cbm genre has become these world ending events that delve into that plot aspect instead of characters.

And I completely agree with him, I personally hate it when films emphasize the plot over the characters and their journey in the overall plot.

1 2 3 4

Related Headlines

Joker

JOKER: FOLIE A DEUX's First Trailer Debuts To Over 167 Million Views In Its First 24 Hours

MarkJulian

Apr 12, 2024 08:04 AM

Batman (Animated)

Viral BATMAN BEYOND Animated Teaser Has Fans Wondering Why WB Hasn't Moved Forward With A Similar Concept

MarkJulian

Apr 11, 2024 08:04 AM

Joker

JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX Director Todd Phillips On Casting Lady Gaga As Harley Quinn & Sequel's Musical Elements

MarkCassidy

Apr 10, 2024 10:04 AM

Related Headlines

Joker

JOKER: FOLIE A DEUX's First Trailer Debuts To Over 167 Million Views In Its First 24 Hours

MarkJulian

Apr 12, 2024 08:04 AM

Batman (Animated)

Viral BATMAN BEYOND Animated Teaser Has Fans Wondering Why WB Hasn't Moved Forward With A Similar Concept

MarkJulian

Apr 11, 2024 08:04 AM

Joker

JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX Director Todd Phillips On Casting Lady Gaga As Harley Quinn & Sequel's Musical Elements

MarkCassidy

Apr 10, 2024 10:04 AM

Joker

JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX - Arthur Fleck Isn't Alone Anymore... In First Trailer For Joaquin Phoenix's DC Sequel

RohanPatel

Apr 09, 2024 09:04 PM

Joker

JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX: First Teaser Features The Return Of Joaquin Phoenix As Arthur Fleck

MarkCassidy

Apr 09, 2024 11:04 AM

The Dark Knight

Deadpool & Wolverine

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: Fans Believe Taylor Swift Has Confirmed MCU Role On THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT Album

JoshWilding

6 hours ago

Mad Max

Anya Taylor-Joy's FURIOSA Is Ready For War On New Total Film Covers

MarkCassidy

6 hours ago

Latest Headlines

No Way Home

SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME Concept Art Reveals A Surprising New Design For A "Junkyard" Vulture

JoshWilding

4 hours ago

Deadpool & Wolverine

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: Fans Believe Taylor Swift Has Confirmed MCU Role On THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT Album

JoshWilding

6 hours ago

Mad Max

Anya Taylor-Joy's FURIOSA Is Ready For War On New Total Film Covers

MarkCassidy

6 hours ago

Sci-Fi

REBEL MOON - PART TWO: THE SCARGIVER's Rotten Tomatoes Score (And It's Zack Snyder's Worst-Reviewed Movie Yet)

JoshWilding

6 hours ago

The Witcher

THE WITCHER Season 5 Will Be The Show's Last As Netflix Rushes To Adapt Andrzej Sapkowski's Final Three Books

JoshWilding

7 hours ago

Deadpool & Wolverine

DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE Theatre Standee Gives Us A New Live-Action Look At Logan And Wade Wilson

MarkCassidy

7 hours ago

Hot Headlines

126 comments

THE FANTASTIC FOUR Rumored To Introduce Norrin Radd Alongside Julia Garner's Silver Surfer

MarkCassidy

1 day ago EST

111 comments

MADAME WEB Star Sydney Sweeney Responds To Producer Who Said "She's Not Pretty, She Can't Act"

MarkCassidy

1 day ago EST

107 comments

Leonardo DiCaprio Was In Talks To Play Lex Luthor In BVS; Gave Zack Snyder JUSTICE LEAGUE Idea

MarkCassidy

1 day ago EST

92 comments

SUPERMAN Director James Gunn Shares New Behind-The-Scenes Photo With David Corenswet And Rachel Brosnahan

MarkCassidy

1 day ago EST

82 comments

More Sci-Fi & Fantasy ►

TRANSFORMERS ONE Character Posters Highlight The Movie's Divisive Animation Style

More Cartoons & Animated ►

Bethesda's Todd Howard On What's Next: ELDER SCROLLS VI, FALLOUT 5, And STARFIELD

More Anime & Manga ►

ABIGAIL Spoilers: Find Out What Happens - And Who Shows Up - In New Horror Comedy

More Horror ►

JAMES BOND: Henry Cavill Isn't Closing The Door On Playing 007; Maybe I'm Too Old Now. Maybe I'm Not...

More Action Movies & TV ►

The Undertaker Talks Relationship With The Rock Following WRESTLEMANIA Clash As Final Boss Vows Revenge

More Pro Wrestling ►

FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA Stills Showcase Anya Taylor-Joy's Road Warrior And Chris Hemsworth's Dementus

More Sci-Fi & Fantasy ►

More Cartoons & Animated ►

More Anime & Manga ►

More Horror ►

More Action Movies & TV ►

More Pro Wrestling ►

6 Most Likely Villains To Replace Deathstroke In Matt Reeves' THE BATMAN

It's obvious The Batman is undergoing some changes since Matt Reeves took over, hence why Joe Manganiello isn't sure if he's still in it! Here are six replacements for Deathstroke as the big bad.

6. The Court Of Owls

5. Hush

4. Mr. Freeze

3. Two-Face

2. Calendar Man

1. Red Hood

REACHER Star Alan Ritchson Continues To Let It Be Known That He Wants To Play BATMAN In James Gunn's DCU

Jake Gyllenhaal Recalls Christopher Nolan Calling Him To Reveal He'd Missed Out On BATMAN BEGINS Role

JOKER: FOLIE A DEUX's First Trailer Debuts To Over 167 Million Views In Its First 24 Hours

Viral BATMAN BEYOND Animated Teaser Has Fans Wondering Why WB Hasn't Moved Forward With A Similar Concept

JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX Director Todd Phillips On Casting Lady Gaga As Harley Quinn & Sequel's Musical Elements

JOKER: FOLIE A DEUX's First Trailer Debuts To Over 167 Million Views In Its First 24 Hours

Viral BATMAN BEYOND Animated Teaser Has Fans Wondering Why WB Hasn't Moved Forward With A Similar Concept

JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX Director Todd Phillips On Casting Lady Gaga As Harley Quinn & Sequel's Musical Elements

JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX - Arthur Fleck Isn't Alone Anymore... In First Trailer For Joaquin Phoenix's DC Sequel

JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX: First Teaser Features The Return Of Joaquin Phoenix As Arthur Fleck

THE DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY Writer Jonathan Nolans Reveals The Riddler Was Considered (And Why He Didn't Appear)

Popular Headlines

CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD Happy Meal Toys Reveal A First Look At MCU’s Take On Red Hulk

DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE Theatre Standee Gives Us A New Live-Action Look At Logan And Wade Wilson

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: Fans Believe Taylor Swift Has Confirmed MCU Role On THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT Album

MCU Rumor Roundup: AVENGERS 5 Shoot Date, X-MEN Synopsis, Natalia Tena's Role, & More - Possible SPOILERS

BATMAN v SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE Director Zack Snyder FINALLY Explains The Infamous "Martha!" Scene

SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME Concept Art Reveals A Surprising New Design For A "Junkyard" Vulture

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: Fans Believe Taylor Swift Has Confirmed MCU Role On THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT Album

Anya Taylor-Joy's FURIOSA Is Ready For War On New Total Film Covers

SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME Concept Art Reveals A Surprising New Design For A "Junkyard" Vulture

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: Fans Believe Taylor Swift Has Confirmed MCU Role On THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT Album

Anya Taylor-Joy's FURIOSA Is Ready For War On New Total Film Covers

REBEL MOON - PART TWO: THE SCARGIVER's Rotten Tomatoes Score (And It's Zack Snyder's Worst-Reviewed Movie Yet)

THE WITCHER Season 5 Will Be The Show's Last As Netflix Rushes To Adapt Andrzej Sapkowski's Final Three Books

DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE Theatre Standee Gives Us A New Live-Action Look At Logan And Wade Wilson

Hot Headlines

THE FANTASTIC FOUR Rumored To Introduce Norrin Radd Alongside Julia Garner's Silver Surfer

MADAME WEB Star Sydney Sweeney Responds To Producer Who Said "She's Not Pretty, She Can't Act"

Leonardo DiCaprio Was In Talks To Play Lex Luthor In BVS; Gave Zack Snyder JUSTICE LEAGUE Idea

SUPERMAN Director James Gunn Shares New Behind-The-Scenes Photo With David Corenswet And Rachel Brosnahan

TRANSFORMERS ONE: Chris Hemsworth And Scarlett Johansson Assemble The Autobots In First Trailer

Sci-Fi & Fantasy

FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA Stills Showcase Anya Taylor-Joy's Road Warrior And Chris Hemsworth's Dementus

THE ACOLYTE Has Reportedly Added SUPERGIRL Star David Harewood In A Mystery Role

SNOW WHITE Rumors May Clear Up "Seven Dwarfs" Confusion; Rachel Zegler's Princess Will Be "More Independent"

Cartoons & Animated Features

TRANSFORMERS ONE Character Posters Highlight The Movie's Divisive Animation Style

SNOW WHITE Rumored Plot Details May Clear Up Seven Dwarfs/Seven Bandits Confusion

TRANSFORMERS ONE Trailer Reveals The Origins Of Optimus Prime And Megatron

Gaming

Bethesda's Todd Howard On What's Next: ELDER SCROLLS VI, FALLOUT 5, And STARFIELD

THE WITCHER Has Been Renewed AND Canceled As Season 5 Is Confirmed To Be The Show's Last

FALLOUT TV Series Renewed For Second Season After Impressive Debut On Prime Video

Anime & Manga

MY HERO ACADEMIA: MEMORIES English Dub Streams Coming To Crunchyroll This Weekend

Studio Ghibli's SPIRITED AWAY Is Returning To U.S. Theaters This Month

New AVATAR Movie, AANG: THE LAST AIRBENDER, Delayed To 2026

Horror

ABIGAIL Spoilers: Find Out What Happens - And Who Shows Up - In New Horror Comedy

TRAP: First Trailer For M. Night Shyamalan's Latest Spoils The Big Twist

IMMACULATE Star Sydney Sweeney Has Been Slammed By A Hollywood Producer: "She's Not Pretty, She Can't Act"

Action Movies & TV

JAMES BOND: Henry Cavill Isn't Closing The Door On Playing 007; "Maybe I'm Too Old Now. Maybe I'm Not..."

Alex Garland's CIVIL WAR Is The #1 Movie In North America- Opens To $25.7M

THE ACCOUNTANT 2 Adds Four More Actors Including JURASSIC WORLD Star Daniella Pineda

Pro Wrestling & MMA News

The Undertaker Talks Relationship With The Rock Following WRESTLEMANIA Clash As Final Boss Vows Revenge

Damian Priest Reflects On How It Felt To Cash In His Money In The Bank Briefcase At WRESTLEMANIA

AEW EVPs Matt And Nick Jackson, The Young Bucks, Have "No Regrets" After Airing ALL IN Footage

Sci-Fi & Fantasy

FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA Stills Showcase Anya Taylor-Joy's Road Warrior And Chris Hemsworth's Dementus

THE ACOLYTE Has Reportedly Added SUPERGIRL Star David Harewood In A Mystery Role

SNOW WHITE Rumors May Clear Up "Seven Dwarfs" Confusion; Rachel Zegler's Princess Will Be "More Independent"

REBEL MOON - PART TWO: THE SCARGIVER's Rotten Tomatoes Score Has Been Revealed (And It's Not Good)

THE WITCHER Has Been Renewed For A Fifth And FINAL Season; Will Adapt Final THREE Books

REBEL MOON: PART TWO - THE SCARGIVER First Reactions Land Ahead Of Netflix Premiere

Cartoons & Animated Features

TRANSFORMERS ONE Character Posters Highlight The Movie's Divisive Animation Style

SNOW WHITE Rumored Plot Details May Clear Up Seven Dwarfs/Seven Bandits Confusion

TRANSFORMERS ONE Trailer Reveals The Origins Of Optimus Prime And Megatron

X-MEN '97 Creative Express Interest In Bringing An X-MEN Animated Movie To Theaters