The DCU has ample villains at their disposal for the new Batman movie, The Brave and the Bold. The film is on the slate for part 1 of Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters of the DCU, as revealed by James Gunn and Peter Safran. Importantly, it will be recasting the caped crusader, thus officially bringing Ben Affleck’s tenure to a close - although there’s a chance he’ll return this time in the director’s chair, so he can still help frame the franchise. The Flash will usher in the changing of the guard by resetting the DCU, though not before featuring Affleck one last time with Michael Keaton’s Batman,too.
They’re jumping right in by also introducing Damian Wayne as Robin alongside the The Batman universe, and ditch the unnecessary origin story for the Dark Knight. They have no shortage of fantastic stories and arcs to adapt and play with in building up their franchise, and as such, The Brave and the Bold could see a litany of important characters appear alongside or opposite the dynamic duo
7 Ra's Al Ghul & The League Of Assassins
When it comes to potential villains for The Brave and the Bold, the safest bet is Ra’s al Ghul and the League of Assassins. In introducing Damian Wayne, the film is specifically drawing inspiration from Grant Morrison’s tenure writing for Batman. It must be focusing on Bruce teaching Damian his ways and methods as a hero - specifically, his important no-kill rule that the DCEU somewhat muddled. This can easily bring them into conflict with Ra’s al Ghul who views his grandson as his inheritor and wants Damian under his tutelage, not Batman’s.
The film will also have to introduce Talia al Ghul alongside Damian, but it could also bring her siblings and other of the League of Assassins into the DCU. They could be ing characters, or instead, they might be good fits for the first antagonists Batman and Robin go against in the new franchise. Nyssa Raatko, Lady Shiva, Bronze Tiger, Victor Dragon, and/or David Cain are all interesting options. Featuring them in this way would prevent the DCU from repeating Batman Begins’ story, and thus set up Ra’s al Ghul for a significant role in the sequel. Regardless, the plans prove he’ll be an important villain in the DCU.
6 Deathstroke
Another popular and easy option is Deathstroke. The DCEU had plans for him, going back to DCU can bring back Deathstroke, and since they are carrying some actors over, Manganiello can get the shot he deserves.
Deathstroke could be an exciting figure for Batman and Robin to contend with. In the comics, he is importantly connected with Dick Grayson, who is purported to be appearing in The Brave and the Bold, ideally, as Nightwing. Given the film's presumptive focus on making sure Damian doesn’t kill, the villain can likely have a prolonged future in the DCU. That’s perfect for Deathstroke, who could then come back into play to oppose Nightwing and/or the Teen Titans, including Damian Wayne, later down the line.
5 Red Hood
Going with Damian right from the jump means the DCU can feature other prominent of the Bat Family. Nightwing’s an easy guess, and this can give Leslie Grace’s Batgirl the chance she deserves, but it’s also perfect for Jason Todd as Red Hood. He was the second Robin, but Joker killed him in 1988’s A Death in the Family. Decades later he was brought back to life and sought vengeance on Batman as Red Hood. The DCEU inexplicably almost set up something similar, but for Dick Grayson when Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice revealed the Joker had killed him. Now the DCU can do it right.
Red Hood would be a great antagonist for the first film for several reasons. His connection with the Lazarus Pits, having been revived by one, could help set Ra’s al Ghul and the League of Assassin’s subsequent introduction. That alone would help distinguish the DCU’s Red Hood from Jason Todd’s origins as Red Hood in Titans. Additionally, his turn as a villain here could create tension for Batman, as he'd have to confront his failure to protect his former protégé as he trains a new one. This can then allow Red Hood to go down his anti-hero path to redemption.
4 Poison Ivy
Talia al Ghul must certainly feature, so The Brave and the Bold could focus on her and Bruce’s romance. However, they could take an additional or entirely alternative approach with a different romantic partner. The character perfect for this and beyond in the DCU is Poison Ivy. She is one of Batman’s most iconic adversaries, though she’s only appeared in one live-action film, the infamous Batman and Robin, played by Uma Thurman. Featuring Poison Ivy in The Brave and the Bold can make up for that and help ensure a Batman and Robin story is done right. Plus, it would be cleverly ironic.
Poison Ivy is actually a perfect adversary for Damian to show off as Robin. With her seductive powers, she can easily enthrall Batman and/or Nightwing, giving the young Boy Wonder the chance to save their skins. That would allow The Brave and the Bold to test Bruce and Damian’s relationship. Additionally, introducing Poison Ivy here would allow the DCU to finally delve into her beloved relationship with Harley Quinn. It would be amazing to see Poison Ivy in a Suicide Squad movie playing off Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn, who should certainly carry over from the old DCEU. Like Red Hood, she can then become more of an anti-hero.
3 Man-Bat
Batman poses an interesting quandary related to the DCU’s first Chapter’s theme of Gods and Monsters. Of course, there are all sorts of superpowered villains but his rogues' gallery is so iconic because it largely showcases the latent potential for a human’s inner monster to be unleashed. The DCU can easily delve into that by focusing on a man who literally becomes a monster with Man-Bat. Dr. Kirk Langstrom transformed into an anthropomorphic and feral bat monster and began wreaking havoc on Gotham City.
Man-Bat presents an interesting opportunity for the DCU when it comes to genre and tone. They could play into the mystery surrounding him and even frame it with horror elements like a monster flick. In fact, that might make Man-Bat an intriguing villain for The Batman’s universe given its focus on Batman as a detective. Conversely, the DCU can take an approach to showcase him as a sympathetic villain, allowing them to play into his latent humanity as Bruce ensures Damian holds on to his own. Whatever the case, Man-Bat is an underrated Batman villain who deserves his shot in live-action.
2 Clayface
Another fun option when it comes to monsters in Batman’s rogue gallery is Clayface. Basil Karlo was an actor who aimed to salvage his dwindling career and so abused a special compound that ended up utterly transforming him into shapeshifting mass of clay. Like Man-Bat, Clayface would also be a fun option for The Batman’s universe to lean into the comic-book nature of it all. The same obviously goes for the DCU in The Brave and The Bold as Clayface melds well to both light and dark tones.
An actor who could be perfect for the DCU’s Clayface is Dave Bautista. Excitingly, this would allow him to continue working with James Gunn following both of their departures from the MCU following Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Furthermore, he’s demonstrated throughout the MCU and beyond that he can handle both comedy and drama well, so he’d be a good fit for a character who could go either way in the DCU. Regardless of his actor, featuring Clayface as an antagonist could allow them to do a simple story as he’s a formidable yet rather straightforward villain. He wouldn’t overcomplicate this Batman’s introduction to audiences.
1 Prometheus
Due to past DC Comics movies, many iconic villains are rightfully off the table. Joker is, frankly, overplayed, Riddler’s been done, and Penguin has his own The Batman spin-off show coming up on HBO Max. This actually great for the DCU as it sets up a lower-level and underrated villain for The Brave and the Bold, and Prometheus is a perfect choice. Many will him as perhaps the best villain from Arrow, played by Josh Segarra, but he’s fantastic for the DCU as he functions like a villainous foil to Batman. His parents were also murdered, but unlike Bruce, it turned him to a life aimed at destroying justice.
He and Batman’s relationship is even more interesting to explore with Damian in the mix as it could see Prometheus trying to manipulate him to his side. This is another option to test Damian and Bruce’s commitment to each other. Plus, he’s an expert fighter, so they can feature action sequences relying on martial arts rather than CGI. Prometheus could be great if they want to go with a one-and-done villain, but his history opposing other heroes like Green Arrow and The Authority’s Midnighter could see him as a recurring antagonist. Prometheus’ mere potential showcases all the DCU has available to them in The Brave and the Bold and beyond.
