Director Matt Reeves has already taken to social media to tease his intentions for an expanded Batman universe following his highly-anticipated The Batman. Although his film contains such iconic villains as The Riddler and Penguin, there are still plenty of members of Batman's rogues' gallery that audiences could see Pattinson's caped crusader face off against in the future.
The conversation is already taking place on Reddit, with plenty of DC fans offering their opinions and fan casts of actors that would make worthy contributions to this universe. It's just speculation for now, but there's no saying which of these bold ideas could one day become reality.
Matthew Macfadyen
Best known for his notorious performance as Succession's Tom Wambsgans, Macfadyen is an actor who's already proved that he has the emotional range and capabilities to tackle even some of Batman's most complex and mysterious characters. Reddit user boumtjeboo believes the actor could turn in a 'tragic performance' as the iconic villain Mr. Freeze.
The choice most likely comes as a result of Macfadyen's layered and complex performance as Tom in Succession, in which he explores a morally corrupt and ethically questionable businessman who will do anything it takes to get what he wants. It's this kind of rich character motives that make Batman's villains so interesting, so maybe Macfadyen would be a perfect fit.
Donald Sutherland
Although the actor has had a spectacular and varied career before appearing as President Snow in the Hunger Games series of films, it's undoubtedly this role that he's gained the most attention for among modern audiences. Reddit user shauner111 has an interesting idea for a classic character that the actor could adopt.
"Imagine Donald Sutherland in his Hunger Games mode but this time as the old head of Court of Owls", they write, drawing a comparison between Sutherland's President Snow and the classic DC villain. It's true that the actor has an innately intimidating presence in his villainous roles, and the Court of Owls would certainly be an exciting group to watch Pattinson face off against.
Ed Harris
Most audiences will know Ed Harris from TV's Westworld, or as the villainous Christof from The Truman Show, but the same Redditor shauner111 suggests that he would also make a great villain for Pattinson's Batman. It's clear that Harris is familiar with how to play these oppressive, intimidating roles, so he's a natural fit.
Reeves' Batman universe seems to be taking a much more serious and grounded approach to the Gotham universe, so it's unlikely that audiences would be seeing Harris in a lighthearted, playful role straight from the comics. His calm and intimidating persona definitely fit the aesthetics of Reeves' vision.
Jack Nicholson
Despite having already played the Joker in 1989's Batman, there could definitely still be space for the veteran actor in this new, modernized universe. Maybe not as the Joker, but as one of Gotham's upper-elite or even as an accomplice to somebody like Colin Farrell's Penguin. Several Reddit commenters are in agreement with user har_mione's suggestion.
Nicholson clearly has the experience necessary to tackle a Batman villain, but it would also be interesting to see the actor adapt to this more realistic and grounded universe, where his over-the-top theatrics and playfulness wouldn't quite fit in.
Giancarlo Esposito
Although he's best known for his role as Gus Fring in both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, many fans such as Redditor manwithatan are calling for Giancarlo Esposito to appear in The Batman's sequel as an adversary to Pattinson's Bruce Wayne. The actor has an intrinsic villainous presence, and would certainly pose an interesting threat to this iteration of the character.
Esposito was involved in many of the best moments in Breaking Bad, including the show's great cliffhangers and surprises, so it's easy to imagine the sort of drama and intensity that he'd be able to add to Reeves' Batman world. As far as villains go, it's hard to imagine an actor much more intimidating than Esposito taking on the task.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Another actor who has experience in Gotham City, Arnold Schwarzenegger has quickly become another fan-favorite to return in the rebooted franchise. Redditor phweezy argues that Arnold should return as his pun-fuelled iteration of Mr. Freeze from 1997's Batman & Robin, despite the film's poor critical reception.
Although it would be a lot of fun to see this character return, others aren't quite sure that Reeves' new universe is the most fitting place for it to happen. Schwarzenegger's performance was one that was full of physical humor and over-the-top line deliveries, which would likely clash with Pattinson's more nuanced performance.
Christoph Waltz
There are few actors that can be quite as likable as Christoph Waltz whilst portraying an indisputably evil character, so it makes total sense to see fans like bladeboy__ calling for his inclusion into the Batman universe. He's played iconic characters like Dr. Schulz and Col. Landa in Django Unchained and Inglourious Basterds respectively, so he has already demonstrated his range as an actor.
Waltz offers a great mix of grounded realism and entertaining humor in every role that he takes on, which may make him the perfect candidate for a more serious (but still comic-based) universe. His interactions with Pattinson's Batman would surely be riveting to watch.
Ralph Fiennes
Reddit user whatdoesthisdo1 believes that Ralph Fiennes would be "fantastic" as a potential baddie in the new Batman universe, particularly opposite Pattinson's Batman. It makes complete sense, as Fiennes has been given plenty of chances to flex his villainous acting muscles before. His work in the Kingsman franchise leads many to believe he would serve well as an ally to Penguin, or a similar suit-clad villain.
Fiennes is perhaps most famous for his portrayal of Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter movie franchise, so bringing some of that energy to Gotham City would undoubtedly be engaging to watch. It would also be a nice little nod to Potter fans, as Voldemort was actually the one to kill Pattinson's Cedric Diggory in the fourth film.
Michael Fassbender
Redditor 1vergil calls for Michael Fassbender to make an appearance in Reeves' potential sequel to The Batman, and there are many DC fans out there who agree with him. Although the actor has gained popularity for his villainous role as a young Magneto in the X-Men franchise, there's nothing to say he couldn't make the switch to DC.
Magneto's many iconic quotes and moments have certainly solidified Fassbender as the definitive live-action iteration, but it seems unlikely that the character will be returning any time soon, so now may be the time to make the trip to Gotham City and hop on board the next big potential franchise.
Daniel Craig
Now that his run as James Bond is over, it's time for Daniel Craig to sink his teeth into another franchise character, and what better than as an enemy to Pattinson's Batman? Redditor 5stargoldengoose argues that Craig would make a great Dr. Freeze (like many of the entries in this list), presumably due to his natural wit and powerful authority.
Although Craig is notably older than Robert Pattinson, it's easy to conceive of the two developing a tight rivalry over the course of several films that could become a big selling point of the franchise. It would also be fun to see a version of Fries that relies more on his words and intelligence than his strength or contraptions.