Top 10 Filmable Batman Villains

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It can’t be denied that Christopher
Nolan<http://listverse.com/2010/01/02/top-10-filmable-batman-villains/#>has
reinvented the way we look at comic book movies today. This was
accomplished once he realized that he can take away the “Pow!” “Boom!” and
“Kablamo!” attached to the Batman legacy where he then found material for
some deeply moving, thrilling, and innovative stories. As shown in Batman
Begins and The Dark Knight, Nolan created a believable universe in which
Batman and his band of not-so-merry men could truly exist where they were
once thought too cartoon-ish or unrealistic for serious cinema. He
successfully brought the Scarecrow, Ra’s al Ghul, Two-Face and the Joker to
life but what lies ahead for the third (and future) installment in this new
Batman franchise? Which characters have the greatest potential to make the
cut in the Nolanverse?

10
Clayface

[image: Zclayface]<http://listverse.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/zclayface.jpg>

*Name/Alias:* Several – Clayface

*Story:* Clayface is the only person on this list with superpowers which is
an attribute we have yet to see in any Nolanverse villain but don’t cast him
aside just yet. Not only can he make weapons like saws,
hammers<http://listverse.com/2010/01/02/top-10-filmable-batman-villains/#>,
and blades with his own body, he can shapeshift into anyone. Think of him as
the clay baby of T-1000 from Terminator 2 and Mystique from X-Men. The
actions Clayface is capable of are endless. Does he want to infiltrate Wayne
Enterprises? Pose as Lucius Fox. Does he want to break someone out of
Arkham? Pose as a security guard. Or better yet: Does he want to ruin
Batman’s reputation? Pose as the Bat himself.

Clayface could very easily become a bad decision in the Nolanverse should
the production team make him into a Sandman-esque character from Spider-Man
3. I say that just because a villain has powers doesn’t mean he needs to go
overboard with said powers. Allow Clayface to absorb a batarang or fall off
a skyscraper without a scratch. He doesn’t need to turn into the Blob and
mud up the city for him to be impressive and/or worthwhile.

*Overall Challenge:* High. A character made of clay who can be anyone at any
time and who can get out of almost any situation? Yeah. I hope it rains a
lot in Gotham.

9
Talia al Ghul

[image: Ztalia] <http://listverse.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/ztalia.jpg>

*Name/Alias:* Talia al Ghul

*Story:* Move aside Rachel What’s-Your-Name! You’re yesterday’s news. Enter
Talia al Ghul, the daughter of the League of Shadows leader Ra’s al Ghul.
Although, you don’t want to label her as some damsel in distress. Not only
can Talia’s exotic beauty stun a man, she can work a number of weapons
expertly and her handle of the sword is not easily matched (pun slightly
intended). In the comics, she (like her father) knows that Bruce Wayne is
Batman and she is convinced that he is the most suitable man to bear a child
with. The two share an on-again off-again relationship, making Talia not a
strict Batman villain, but rather an anti-hero who errs on the side of good
from time to time.

As we saw in Batman
Begins<http://listverse.com/2010/01/02/top-10-filmable-batman-villains/#>,
Ra’s al Ghul blended into the Nolanverse perfectly so the chances that his
daughter can do the same are equally good. Plus, we don’t hear anything from
Ra’s during the second film, so what better way to reintroduce him in the
third film then by sending his daughter to seduce Bruce back into his favor?
Ra’s gets a “son,” Talia gets her man, and Bats gets some booty. Everybody
wins!

*Overall Challenge:* Medium. What stops Talia from being a true villain is
her love and respect for Batman so if he’s smart, he’ll use that infamous
playboy charm of his when he needs it most, say, right before she beheads
him to please her father.

8
Calculator

[image: 
Zcalculator]<http://listverse.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/zcalculator.jpg>

*Name/Alias:* Noah Kuttler – Calculator

*Story:* As a relatively unknown rogue, Calculator first began as a
third-rate criminal. It wasn’t until recent that he discovered how to
reinvent himself for the modern war between heroes and villains: start a
business! Serving as the “evil” counterpart to Oracle (Barbara Gordon, a.k.a
the former Batgirl), Calculator began a business where he serves as the
villain community’s information broker. In need of henchmen? Weapons?
Jobs<http://listverse.com/2010/01/02/top-10-filmable-batman-villains/#>?
Maps? Connections? The Calculator is the man to hook you up with your
criminal needs… for a price.

One of the good things about Noah is that doesn’t run around at night in a
costume. The threat he poses is a technological one. We’re beginning to see
more of Batman’s detective work (primarily in The Dark Knight) and a perfect
villain to test these skills is Calculator. This cyber terrorist can hack
almost every known database and for a billionaire who’s got a big secret to
hide, Bruce should be wary of this seemingly unthreatening man.

*Overall Challenge:* Medium/High. I can’t personally see Calculator being a
big, Two-Face/Scarecrow/Joker ranking rogue, but I do see him aiding the
main villain in a film. The focus wouldn’t necessarily be on him, but his
work/efforts against Batman should prove to be very troublesome overall.

7
Mr. Zsasz

[image: Zzsasz] <http://listverse.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/zzsasz.jpg>

*Name/Alias:* Victor Zsasz – Mr. Zsasz

*Story:* This nihilistic serial killer carves a tally mark on himself
whenever he takes a life (already he sounds like a barrel of fun, right?).
Deemed criminally insane, Zsasz’s outlook in life is a rather twisted one.
He believes he’s doing people a favor by killing them. His kills are brutal,
graphic, and sick. Plus, I hear he doesn’t think much of puppies.

Zsasz is an Arkham inmate which is an institution we have yet to fully
explore in film. With the success of the recent video
game<http://listverse.com/2010/01/02/top-10-filmable-batman-villains/#>Batman:
Arkham Asylum, we could potentially be seeing more of this hellhole
if Nolan collects Zsasz and other similar patients. The best part of this
character is that most of us have already seen him on film. In Batman
Begins, audiences are introduced to Mr. Zsasz for the first time (google for
screencaps of the
movie<http://listverse.com/2010/01/02/top-10-filmable-batman-villains/#>where
he escapes Arkham; the tally marks can be seen on his neck). The
chances that we’ll see him again are looking pretty good at this rate.

*Overall Challenge:* Medium/High. Like Calculator, I don’t see Mr. Zsasz as
a central focus villain but he could definitely be a pain in the Bat-butt.

6
Black Mask

[image: Zblackmask]<http://listverse.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/zblackmask.jpg>

*Name/Alias:* Roman Sionis – Black Mask

*Story:* Black Mask is heavily involved in the mob scene in Gotham City. His
brilliant mind has lead him to become a powerful man in the criminal
underworld. His desire for vengeance mimics Batman’s own drive, but he
pushes the envelope to a very twisted end (e.g. going so far as making
someone eat part of a corpse, just to drive them insane). He doesn’t get
invited to many
parties<http://listverse.com/2010/01/02/top-10-filmable-batman-villains/#>
.

Whether he wears his mask (usually depicted as a black/burned skull) or the
mask is infused to his face, either one could be pulled off in the
Nolanverse as a Scarecrow-esque character. His use of sadistic torture
methods to toy with people’s minds could fall into the
films<http://listverse.com/2010/01/02/top-10-filmable-batman-villains/#>should
they decide to up the creep factor.

*Overall Challenge:* High. Black Mask’s main vendetta lies with Bruce Wayne,
rather than Batman. Any enemies of the billionaire would be rather difficult
to combat if he doesn’t want to give away his cape and cowl.



 5
Professor Pyg

[image: Zpyg] <http://listverse.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/zpyg.jpg>

*Name/Alias:* Lazlo Valentin – Professor Pyg

*Story:* Huh, who, what? Professor Pyg? Never heard of him. That’s because
he’s a villain of the newest Batman (Dick Grayson) in the DC Comics
universe. So then why is he here on this list? Because Professor Pyg is one
sick freak that redefines the term “wrong.” Adorning a bloody butcher’s
apron and a pig mask, Pyg’s one desire is to make people perfect. He
accomplishes this by welding a doll-face on his victims and performing a
crude lobotomy on them, ultimately making them his nurses/henchmen. Not only
that, he taunts people before torturing them in a disturbing and sickening
display that simply makes your skin crawl.

Nolanverse Batman is rated PG-13 but we all know that some parents are
indeed taking their kids to go watch these movies. Although I’m okay with
that myself (I fell in love with Bats at a young age myself), the edginess
and darker route that we’re traveling down with these movies is becoming
seemingly less suitable for kids. Adding Professor Pyg to the villain roster
would blot out what little of the kid-friendly element there is to Batman.
Personally, I’d love to see Bruce kick Pyg’s sick, twisted face into the
ground but it very well may end up with an R rating if they want to stay
true to Pyg’s M.O. Did I mention he was sick?

*Overall Challenge:* High. He targets everyone and knows no bounds.
Additionally, I think Bruce’s rule against killing would be tested greatly
if he ever faced the Professor. After you meet him, you too would want to
reduce him to bacon bits.

4
Hush

[image: Zhush] <http://listverse.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/zhush.jpg>

*Name/Alias:* Thomas Eliot – Hush

*Story:* Let me paint a picture for you: two young boys, the
sons<http://listverse.com/2010/01/02/top-10-filmable-batman-villains/#>of
wealthy and successful parents, grow up to be best friends and who
share
years of happiness and laughter… that is until everything goes to hell.
Young Tommy Eliot hated his parents so after a failed attempt to kill them
both, he began to resent young Bruce who received all his family’s fortune
after his parents’ untimely death. Thus began this surgeon’s deep seeded
hatred for Bruce who ultimately got to live the life Thomas always wanted.
Sort of.

Tommy learns Batman’s identity and uses this knowledge to his advantage. Not
only that, he uses the fact that the two of them used to be childhood
friends against Bruce as well. Packed with a set of guns and playing
psychological<http://listverse.com/2010/01/02/top-10-filmable-batman-villains/#>mind
tricks on Batman can not only be easily filmable, but Hush could carry
on through an entire movie as the main villain. Bring on the frenemy
drama<http://listverse.com/2010/01/02/top-10-filmable-batman-villains/#>
!

*Overall Challenge:* Really High. A villain you’re unable to fight because
your past friendship and who knows your secret identity and your weakness?
Be strong Bruce. Be strong.

3
Deadshot

[image: Zdeadshot]<http://listverse.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/zdeadshot.jpg>

*Name/Alias:* Floyd Lawton – Deadshot

*Story:* As one of the best assassins in DCU, Deadshot can pose a number of
problems for Batman. Floyd’s disregard for his own life makes him twice as
dangerous because unlike the rest of the villains in this list, he could
care less if he died or not. In other words, he’ll take all the risks the
others won’t. A mercenary with nothing to lose doesn’t bode well for anyone.

Deadshot appears in the Batman: Gotham Knight animated movie that
chronologically takes place between the Nolan films. It gives audiences a
glimpse of the incredible talents of this assassin. He can also be seen in
the Justice League animated series voiced and portrayed more accurately to
his comic book personality by Smallville’s Michael Rosenbaum. With so much
animated exposure, it won’t be surprising to see him make an appearance in
film.

*Overall Challenge:* Very High. Batman’s strict “No Guns” policy is sure to
collide with Deadshot’s “Nothing But Guns” policy. This anti-Batman of a
character is one of the best marksmen in DCU, but it’s his adaptability that
will prove to be one of the greatest physical challenges.

2
Riddler

[image: Zriddler]<http://listverse.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/zriddler.jpg>

*Name/Alias:* Edward Nigma/Nygma – Riddler

*Story:* What’s lean, green, and nifty keen? Jim Carrey’s Riddler and shame
on you for remembering him! Sure I love Carrey but his Riddler was a very
flamboyant version of Nigma that hasn’t existed in the comics for some time.
Edward is normally a debonair, suave, and pompous man who simply revels in
knowing he’s two steps ahead of everyone else. Not to mention he’s quite a
bit of a ladies’ man (the new playboy in town perhaps?).

Out of all the names flying around for the next film, Riddler is one of the
top candidates. Why is that? As we saw with the Joker, Nolan is looking for
a criminal that’s much more than just brute strength. He wants someone
complex and twisted and who can challenge Bruce in more ways than one.
Edward can fulfill that role and then some.

*Overall Challenge:* Extremely High. Not many can challenge Batman’s
intellect but the Riddler is an exception. We have yet to really see how far
Bruce’s intellect goes in the Nolanverse but with the addition of the
Riddler, audiences would be introduced to an alarming brilliant playboy
billionaire. They don’t say Batman is the smartest man in all DCU for
nothing.

1
Catwoman

[image: Zcatwoman]<http://listverse.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/zcatwoman.jpg>

*Name/Alias:* Selina Kyle – Catwoman

*Story:* Oh c’mon! Who else did you expect to be Bruce’s greatest challenge
to be? Superman? Well, now that I mention him… Wait, no! Catwoman is the
best filmable candidate. Let me set one thing straight though (as many of
you are probably thinking): she’s not an actual villain! Catwoman is an
anti-hero, someone who acts like a criminal but has also been known to do a
good deed every once in a while. So why add her at all?

Catwoman is extremely versatile. She could either work as a villain, an
ally, or both. Here we have a character that could very well fit into the
Nolanverse as long as the attention isn’t taken from Batman and given to her
instead (it’s called “Batman” not “Look How Hot Catwoman Is”). And speaking
of which, this character deserves to be redeemed after the movie debacle
falsely titled “Catwoman” back in 2004. No, Pitof. Just no.

*Overall Challenge:* Extremely High. Three words to encompass the dangers of
this woman: Sexy. Leather. Whip. Did I mention that Batman is single again?


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