Introducing New Villains for Tim Burton's Batman Sequels

Tim Burton's two Batman movies are beloved pieces of the character's history. His unique style and approach to the hero and the superhero genre made for exciting adaptations that still hold a high rank in Batman's movie history. However, Burton's Batman movie series ended after just two films, leaving fans to wonder how he would have continued to develop the Dark Knight's universe.

A crucial element of any Batman story is the villain for the hero to fight against. With Batman having one of the most impressive rogues' galleries in pop culture, Burton would have had a wide array of antagonists to choose from for potential sequels. Many major Batman villains were left out of Burton's movies, so if he had continued the hero's story in the late '90s and early '00s, he would have needed to cast actors to portray some of these significant adversaries.

Billy Dee Williams As Two-Face

Burton's Original Plans Involved Williams As Harvey Dent

Harvey Dent addresses reporters in Batman - Burton's Original Plans Involved Williams As Harvey Dent - Billy Dee Williams As Two-Face

In Burton's version of Gotham City, the villain Two-Face was not included. However, in the 1989 film Batman, Harvey Dent was introduced before his transformation. Billy Dee Williams was cast in the role, with the potential for him to later become the iconic villain. If Burton had made more Batman movies, it is likely that Billy Dee Williams would have played Two-Face, as he was already considered for the role in the early stages of the 1989 film.

Robin Williams As The Riddler

Burton Wanted The Comedy Legend For His Riddler

Patch (Robin Williams) wearing a bright red tie in Patch Adams - Burton Wanted The Comedy Legend For His Riddler - Robin Williams As The Riddler

Various live-action versions of the Riddler have been featured in different Batman movies. Tim Burton's original plan for the sequel to Batman Returns was rumored to include the Riddler as the villain. Initially, Burton had Robin Williams in mind to portray the Riddler in his Batman universe, especially since Williams was previously considered for the role of the Joker, which ultimately went to Jack Nicholson. However, when Joel Schumacher took over the sequel, Jim Carrey was ultimately cast as the Riddler. If Burton had stayed on as the director, there was a possibility that Robin Williams could have showcased his unique style as the Riddler in Gotham City.

Robert De Niro As Carmine Falcone

De Niro Would Have Been Perfect For The Gotham Crime Boss

Robert De Niro on the phone as Neil McCauley in Heat - De Niro Would Have Been Perfect For The Gotham Crime Boss - Robert De Niro As Carmine Falcone

If a sequel to Batman Returns had been made in the mid-1990s, there were many talented actors who could have played Gotham crime boss Carmine Falcone. Robert De Niro would have been the top choice, given his impressive performances in crime movies. His portrayal of Gotham's most infamous gangster would have added depth to the character and fit well with Tim Burton's vision for the Batman universe.

Elizabeth Hurley As Poison Ivy

Hurley's Other Credits Prove She'd Have Made A Good Batman Villain

Elizabeth Hurley as the Devil lounging on the hood of a car in Bedazzled - Hurley's Other Credits Prove She'd Have Made A Good Batman Villain - Elizabeth Hurley As Poison Ivy

Finding the perfect actor to play Poison Ivy in Burton's Batman movies is no easy task. The character requires someone with seductive charisma, which narrows down the list of potential castings. In the mid-1990s, Elizabeth Hurley could have been a great fit for the role. Her performance in Bedazzled showcased her ability to blend her looks with her comedic talents to portray a complex character. Hurley's skills could have been used to bring Poison Ivy to life on the big screen.

Tim Robbins As Mr. Freeze

Robbins Would Have Made A Believably Intense Scientist

Tim Robbins in a suit in The Player - Robbins Would Have Made A Believably Intense Scientist - Tim Robbins As Mr. Freeze

Mr. Freeze is known as one of Batman's most sympathetic villains because his main goal is to save his wife. In Tim Burton's Batman movies, it would require an actor who can bring depth and intensity to the character. Tim Robbins, known for his roles in films like The Shawshank Redemption and Mystic River, has shown that he can handle complex and intense characters. With Burton's unique gothic style, Tim Robbins could have been the ideal choice to play Victor Fries.

Anthony Hopkins As Hugo Strange

Hopkins' Iconic Roles Show His Theatrical Villain Flair

Anthony Hopkins smiling as Hannibal Lecter in Red Dragon (2002) - Hopkins' Iconic Roles Show His Theatrical Villain Flair - Anthony Hopkins As Hugo Strange

Anthony Hopkins, a highly acclaimed actor, is known for his versatile acting skills in Hollywood. He could have portrayed the authoritative and twisted Doctor Hugo Strange in a Tim Burton Batman movie. While Doctor Strange's role as a key Batman adversary may be debatable, he would have been a great fit for a story set in Burton's dark and gothic Gotham. Hopkins' ability to portray dark and complex characters would have complemented Burton's unique style perfectly.

Gary Oldman As Scarecrow

Oldman Would Have Been A Great Jonathan Crane In The '90s

Gary Oldman screaming in Leon The Professional - Oldman Would Have Been A Great Jonathan Crane In The '90s - Gary Oldman As Scarecrow

Gary Oldman, known for his role as Commissioner Jim Gordon in the Dark Knight trilogy, could have also been a great fit for Tim Burton's movies. With his versatile talents, he could excel in playing various villains, and one character he would shine as is Scarecrow. Scarecrow, the fear-obsessed psychiatrist with his weaponized hallucinogenic gas, is a captivating Batman villain that would align well with Burton's style. Given Oldman's impressive credits and skills, he would have undoubtedly been a perfect choice for Tim Burton's version of Scarecrow.

Tyler Mane As Bane

Mane's Physical Presence & Late '90s Profile Would Have Been Perfect

Danny Trejo, Tyler Mane and Lew Temple in Halloween (2007) as two orderlies leading Michael Myers down a corridor  - Mane's Physical Presence & Late '90s Profile Would Have Been Perfect - Tyler Mane As Bane

Bane is a tricky character to portray in live-action because he needs to have both a strong physical presence and intelligence. It would have been tough to find the right actor to play this imposing Batman villain in the late ‘90s, but Tyler Mane could have been a good fit for a Tim Burton Batman film. Mane’s past roles show off his diverse skills, and his large physique would have been essential to bring Bane to the big screen in Burton’s version of Gotham City.

Alan Rickman As Ra’s Al Ghul

Rickman's Villainous Gravitas Would Have Been Perfect For Burton's Gotham

Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) holding a gun in Die Hard - Rickman's Villainous Gravitas Would Have Been Perfect For Burton's Gotham - Alan Rickman As Ra’s Al Ghul

In Tim Burton's Batman franchise, Ra's Al Ghul, known for his mystical nature, is portrayed as one of Batman's most dramatic adversaries. Alan Rickman, who was renowned for playing charmingly dangerous villains in the late '80s and '90s, would have been a perfect fit for this role. His dramatic flair and ability to exude a sinister presence would have made him an ideal Ra's Al Ghul in any of Burton's hypothetical Batman movies featuring the character.

Fairuza Balk As Harley Quinn

Balk's Other '90s Roles Made Her A Shoo-In For Burton's Harley

Fairuza Balk as Nancy in The Craft holding a snake - Balk's Other '90s Roles Made Her A Shoo-In For Burton's Harley - Fairuza Balk As Harley Quinn

Harley Quinn rose to fame after her debut in Batman: The Animated Series and quickly became a beloved character in the Batman universe. It's surprising that Tim Burton didn't capitalize on her popularity after Batman Returns by including her in a sequel. Fairuza Balk, known for her energetic and slightly menacing acting, would have been a great fit for the role of Harley Quinn in the early stages of the character. She would have been an excellent choice for a Tim Burton-directed Batman sequel.

Editor's P/S:

Tim Burton's Batman movies are widely regarded as masterpieces, and it's intriguing to speculate how his series would have evolved if he had continued directing them. The potential casting choices presented in this article are particularly fascinating, as they showcase a range of talented actors who could have brought Burton's unique vision to life.

From Billy Dee Williams as Two-Face to Fairuza Balk as Harley Quinn, each actor possesses the charisma, intensity, or comedic flair necessary to embody these iconic Batman villains. It's a testament to Burton's enduring legacy that his films continue to inspire such creative casting discussions, leaving fans to wonder what might have been if he had stayed at the helm of the franchise.