The Batman corner of the new DC Universe is already shaping up to be perhaps the most thrilling part of the Dark Knight’s live-action franchise, with many villains confirmed or teased to appear in the DCU’s Gotham City. Despite rumors, it seems like Robert Pattinson’s Batman will not be one of the DCU’s canon characters, remaining an Elseworlds DC hero.

That opens the door not only for a new Dark Knight to be cast for the DCU’s slate of projects, but for the James Gunn franchise to put its own spin on classic Batman villains and supporting players. For instance, Colin Farrell would not have to return as the Penguin, and so it goes. The DCU’s Batman corner is brimming with potential.

Batman’s The Brave and the Bold movie is currently being written, with Gunn confirming that as soon as the script is finished, the movie will immediately enter production. However, before Batman makes his live-action DCU debut, the DCU is already setting up its version of Gotham City with many Batman villains. Here are all the DCU’s teased or confirmed Batman foes:

Kite Man

Kite Man is not one of Batman’s most well-known rogues. However, the fact that the comic book writer who made him famous, Tom King, is one of the masterminds behind the DCU does tease great live-action potential for the character. While he has yet to appear onscreen, Kite Man is confirmed to be part of the DCU.

Kite Man was confirmed to exist in the old DCEU in Peacemaker season 1, as it was revealed that John Cena’s DC hero had taken him down. In the “Previously in the DCU” section of the Peacemaker season 2 premiere, Gunn’s new franchise included Peacemaker’s comments about Kite Man, confirming he is part of the new DCU.

Talia Al Ghul

Talia Al Ghul has yet to be mentioned or appear in the DCU. However, she is confirmed to be part of the franchise in a big way, as the character will most likely appear in Batman’s The Brave and the Bold movie. While only a few details about the film have been revealed, Talia is crucial.

The reason for that is that James Gunn announced that the core story of the Batman movie rests on Bruce Wayne finding out that he has a son, Damian Wayne. Famously, Damian is Bruce and Talia’s son. As such, the character not only has to exist in the DCU for a comics-accurate story, but Talia should be important to Batman.

Ra’s Al Ghul

Just like Talia, if Damian Wayne is in the DCU’s Batman movie, then it only makes sense that Ra’s al Ghul will also appear in the DCU’s Batman franchise. After all, Ra’s is Talia’s father, which makes the Head of the Demon Damian’s grandfather. DC would not pᴀss on that complicated relationship.

A Batman movie that explores how his son is connected to one of his biggest villains has a lot of potential. Ra’s al Ghul and Talia make perfect sense for The Brave and the Bold. Even if he does not appear in the movie for some reason, Damian’s inclusion pretty much makes it certain that Ra’s exists somewhere in the DCU.

White Rabbit

White Rabbit is an interesting Batman villain for the DCU to include. Unlike most of the characters on the list, she has already appeared in the franchise. However, it seems like the live-action version of the character is not a villain, as White Rabbit was seen after an audition to join the Justice Gang in Peacemaker season 2.

In DC Comics, White Rabbit is a minor Batman villain with only a few appearances. The character comes from wealth, just like Bruce Wayne, and even flirted with him before her villainous nature was shown. In the DCU, White Rabbit could be a Gotham hero, or her being turned down by the Justice Gang could lead her down a dark road.

Doctor Phosphorus

Doctor Phosphorus holds a special place on the list. That is because the character is not only the sole player on the list to have a main role in the DCU so far, but also because we have already seen him go up against Batman. Doctor Phosphorus is one of the characters on Rick Flag Sr.’s team of monsters in the animated Creature Commandos.

While he is working on the good side now, his past included a mob boss turn after a sad backstory. What could have been Doctor Phosphorus’ reign in Gotham City’s underworld was stopped by Batman, who had a cameo appearance in a non-speaking role as he arrived on Phosphorus’ base to arrest him. He will return in Creature Commandos season 2.

Ghost Dragons

The Ghost Dragons are an obscure gang from DC Comics with ties to Batman. They initially operated under the leadership of King Snake, with the gang coming from Hong Kong. Eventually, they moved into Gotham City, which led to a gang war for control of Gotham’s underworld and drug trade.

So far, the Ghost Dragons have yet to appear in the DCU. However, they are teased to exist in the franchise. That comes from a Clayface set pH๏τo shared on X by user @batmanjubileee. The set pH๏τo shows graffiti of the gang’s name with a dragon right next to the “Ghost Dragons” name on the wall.

Clayface

Talking about a Clayface movie, the character has to be the next one on the list. While there have been other Batman villains to appear in live-action and animation in the DCU, Clayface undoubtedly has the biggest role out of the Dark Knight’s rogues in the franchise so far. He fought Rick Flag and Frankenstein in Creature Commandos.

Now, the character’s origin story will be told in a solo movie. Before Batman even makes his live-action debut, Clayface will be released in theaters on September 11, 2026. Clayface will be played by Tom Rhys Harries, with the DCU version of the character being Matt Hagen, just like in Batman: The Animated Series, which inspired the movie.

The Penguin

Colin Farrell was a scene-stealer as the Penguin in director Matt Reeves’ The Batman. Then, the character got to shine in his own HBO series, with The Penguin nominated for several major categories at the Emmys and showcasing Oz Cobb’s rise to power. Now, it seems like the DCU’s version of the character might be on the way.

While there is still no set project for the Penguin to appear in the DCU, a look at the character has been revealed by a Clayface set pH๏τo. Shared by @batmanjubileee on X, a poster promoting the “Penguin Man” in Gotham City’s Amusement Mile could be seen. The Penguin sports a more comics-accurate look compared to his The Batman appearance.

Black Mask

Another character teased by Clayface set pH๏τos is Black Mask. The Batman villain is not seen like the Penguin was, but it is teased that he exists in the DCU, as a Clayface set pH๏τo shared by @samkmcgaw shows a sign for Sionis Industries. Black Mask’s real name is Roman Sionis.

Black Mask was played in live-action by Star Wars actor Ewan McGregor in Birds of Prey, serving as the main villain of the DCEU movie. Given how the door seems to be open for Margot Robbie to return as Harley Quinn down the line, and other DCEU stars have reprised their characters, there is a chance McGregor could return.

The Joker

Finally, Batman’s nemesis could not be missing, as the DCU teases the Joker in two different ways in Clayface set pH๏τos. First, graffiti was spotted mentioning “The Jokers.” This led to a few theories about the Joker’s role in the DCU, with the most likely being that the Batman villain leads a gang in the franchise.

Then, a more recent Clayface set pH๏τo saw a poster asking people to join a march against the GCPD, saying, “Join The Joker.” It seems like the Batman villain is the face of a movement in Gotham, suggesting the Joker will have a key role in the DCU’s Batman corner when he debuts. Joker as Batman‘s most important DCU villain would make sense.