List of Possible Batman Villains for Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight Rises”

Dr. Hugo Strange

Who is he? Dr. Hugo Strange was one of Batman’s first recurring villains, alongside the likes of The Joker, Catwoman, and the Penguin. However, he never quite reached the heights of the aforementioned characters, and is mainly a background villain in Gotham. Strange is a mad scientist with a genius level IQ, who creates a serum that turns men into “Monster Men”. These men turn into mindless superhumans, which he uses to pay back debts and incur havoc in Gotham

What works? On paper Dr. Hugo Strange is similar to Jonathan Crane, AKA The Scarecrow. Both men created serums that had unexpected outcomes, in which they use for gain. The character could easily be retooled as another Arkham scientist who plays with his subjects much like Crane did in Batman Begins. Once again, if Nolan is bringing back characters he could always pair The Scarecrow and Strange up.

What doesn’t? Nolan’s films are based in a bit more reality than previous Batman films, and men with hulking strength and cannibalistic natures might ruin the image Nolan has tried to create with the Gotham trilogy. Strange might also be a bit too close to The Scarecrow as a character archetype, and it might come off as Nolan repeating earlier works.

Chances of being “Rises” villain? 2/5

Black Mask

Who is he? Roman Sionis is a more recent villain in the ongoing Batman Series. Taking the moniker the Black Mask, Sionis is criminal mastermind who controls most of Gotham’s seedy underbelly. Sionis was a failed business man who had to be bailed out by Bruce Wayne. Angered by Wayne pushing him out of his company, Sionis made a black mask from the ebony lid of his father’s coffin and founded the “False Face Society”.

What works? In 2005 many people questioned Nolan’s unconventional choice in a villain, when he selected Liam Neeson as Ra’s Al Ghul. While well known to the fans, the character was not well known in pop culture. This scenario could likely occur again with the choice of Black Mask.  Nolan clearly favors deep crime dramas, and Black Mask as the main villain could easily keep that theme going. In addition to this is the fact that he is an easily believable villain. There isn’t a lot that is too far fetched about the character, and he could easily fit within the world Nolan has created.

What doesn’t? There aren’t really a lot of negatives to this choice. Black Mask is just as solid in his criminal undertakings, as Batman is in his heroic endeavors. As long as they keep his mask just a mask, rather than burn it onto his face, like in the comics, he should make a solid choice.

Chances of being “Rises” villain? 4/5

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