As DC’s extended universe slowly begins to reveal itself throughout 2018, and with many more movies penned for the following years, now is as good a time as any to speculate on those villains we’re longing to see on the big screen. We can only hope that perhaps we may see more than one make their way into a Justice League sequel one day.

10. Man Bat

Superpowers include:

• Superhuman strength
• Flight
• Superior fighting skills and speed
• Super auditory skills including echolocation and super hearing

Born Dr. Kirk Langstrom, the Man Bat came about after the geneticist, who was using bat DNA to find a cure for deafness, became horribly mutated after testing the serum on himself. In the shape of a giant man-sized bat, Dr. Langstrom loses his human intelligence and becomes entirely led by his animal instincts. After attacking Alfred in the Batcave, Batman successfully subdues the beast and with the help of Langstrom’s fiancée, formulates a cure for the Man Bat. If the DC extended universe were to explore the creature feature side of the Batman series in the future, the Man Bat would certainly make for an eye-catching and terrifying enemy.

9. Crime Syndicate of America

Superpowers include:

• Equal superpowers to their superhero counterparts

Consisting of a band of powerful supervillains, the Crime Syndicate of America is made up of the following superhero opposites: Ultraman, the evil Superman; Owlman, the evil Batman; Superwoman, the evil Wonder Woman; Johnny Quick, the evil Flash; Power Ring, the evil Green Lantern; Sea King, the evil Aquaman; and Grid, the evil Cyborg. Existing on Earth 3, as opposed to Earth 1 which is currently being explored in the DCEU, this motley crew of supervillains exists in a universe of opposites. Whilst the possibility of the Crime Syndicate making it to the big screen may be a far-flung hope, it would be fantastically exciting to see a clashing of the Justice League and the Crime Syndicate on the big screen.

8. Darkseid

Superpowers include:

• Superhuman strength and speed
• Omnipotence
• Energy and mass manipulation
• Flight and teleportation

This power-hungry ruler of the planet Apokolips desires nothing more than supreme domination of the entire universe. With his dictator-like demeanor and willingness to destroy any who stand in his way, Darkseid has proven himself to be a formidable foe for the Justice League. As Justice League 2 is kept quietly under wraps, it is a possibility that this supervillain may surface in the anticipated 2019 movie. And what could be more terrifying than to see this long-feared villain gloating on the big screen.

7. Medusa

Superpowers include:

• Petrification

Based upon the mythical Greek monster of the same name, Medusa was a beautiful woman who attracted the gaze of the god, Poseidon. The goddess Athena, in her jealousy, transformed Medusa, giving her the body of a serpent and snakes for hair. Her appearance became so ghastly that she could petrify anyone she locked eyes with. With Wonder Woman first solo DCEU outing, Medusa offers the possibility of exploring the mythical roots of the superhero, opening a whole canon of lore and history. Medusa is also known to be one of Wonder Woman’s toughest opponents, blinding our heroine in battle. If nothing, an onscreen battle between the two is sure to be a testament to how tough the Amazonian is.

6. Bizarro

Superpowers include:

• Superman’s speed and strength
• Flight
• Inverse powers of Superman e.g. freeze vision, fire breath, x-ray vision only through lead

Although there have been several retellings of the Bizarro character, one of the more enduring is the Superman clone created by Lex Luthor. Hoping to create a foe that would finally defeat Superman, Bizarro proved to uncooperative; instead applying his own backward logic in trying to be like Superman. With his distinctive grey pallor and reversed ‘S’, Bizarro is an interesting and at times comical villain, occasionally reminiscent of Frankenstein’s monster. Perhaps not sole bad guy material for the big screen, this loveable villain desires fair representation in the new DCEU.

5. The Court of Owls

Superpowers include:

• Extensive political reach and influence

Although The Court of Owls has recently been alluded to in the Gotham TV series, this group of adversaries deserves a feature-length movie. Unlike previous foes of the Dark Knight, The Court of Owls is far larger, more insidious, and more terrifying than many organized crime groups he has faced before. Claiming political influence that precedes the Wayne empire and in possession of the Talons, a deadly group of assassins, The Court of Owls are capable of not only destroying Batman but the Bruce Wayne character too. If the Court were to find its way on to the big screen, we could expect a film with a gripping storyline, espionage, and a plot that keeps us on the edge of our seats.

4. The Ventriloquist

Superpowers include:

• Psychotic tendencies

One of the weirder characters of Batman’s Rogues Gallery, The Ventriloquist is the meek and mild Arnold Wesker. After a bar brawl results in the death of a civilian, Wesker finds himself in Blackgate prison. There he discovers his cellmate had created a ventriloquist’s dummy from a piece wood that was salvaged from the old hangman’s gallows of Blackgate. Naming itself Scarface, it soon becomes clear that Wesker is the puppet to the dominant dummy. Rising to become a powerful drug lord in the Gotham underworld, The Ventriloquist is an intriguing foe that if played by the right actor, would produce a psychologically frightening Batman movie.

3. Cheetah

Superpowers include:

• Superhuman speed and strength

With several re-imaginings of the Cheetah, the current and most popular version is the alter-ego of British archaeologist, Dr. Barbara Ann Minerva. After being transformed by an African plant god, the doctor finds herself cursed with her half-human, half-cheetah hybrid appearance. Unlike previous incarnations of The Cheetah, Dr. Minerva possesses animal-like reflexes, superhuman agility, strength, and speed. As an iconic enemy of Wonder Woman, The Cheetah is a popular villain deserving of a big screen outing.

2. Hugo Strange

Superpowers include:

• Brilliant psychiatrist and manipulator
• Trained in psychology, chemistry, and biology

One of the Dark Knight’s earliest foes, Dr. Hugo Strange worked at both Blackgate Prison and Arkham Asylum. Using the prison as his personal laboratory, Dr. Strange used the prisoners as guinea pigs for his treatments. Dr. Strange wanted to find a way to exert his own dominance over others’ minds, giving him full power and control over people. Notably, Strange was able to deduce the secret identity of Batman, making him a real threat to the Caped Crusader. With his numerous connections throughout Gotham’s criminal underworld, Dr. Strange offers a cold and calculating villain who would raise the hairs of any moviegoer.  

1. Brainiac

Superpowers include:

• Cyborg strength, speed, agility, stamina, and durability
• Super intelligence
• Control over technology

Depicted as a green-skinned, humanoid creature with multiple mechanical tendrils exuding from its skull, Brainiac is one of Superman’s deadliest enemies. This villain is the personification of Krypton’s own supercomputer that led to the eventual destruction of the planet. With its superior intellect and deep knowledge and understanding of Superman’s abilities, this big green baddie has yet to make a resounding appearance on the silver screen. Brainiac’s intellectual ability and destructive capabilities make him a genuine threat to Superman’s new home planet, and this is something that should only be seen on the big screen.

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