Batman: Casting 7 of the Dark Knight’s weirdest villains

Batman’s known for having the best rogue’s gallery in comic books. The Joker, Poison Ivy, and Bane are only three of the best of the Dark Knight’s antagonists. As great as some of them are, all of Batman's villains aren’t great. Some of them are downright weird.

This isn’t the article that’s going to fan-cast Two-Face, Deadshot, or Harley Quinn. This is all about the oddballs that fans will look at and be shocked to see. However, with the right actor, they could steal the show or be memorable. Let’s begin with Costco Riddler.

Cluemaster

Actor: Josh Hartnett

Clue Master has been called a second-rate Riddler by comic book fans, his peers, and his daughter (Stephanie Brown, aka Spoiler aka Batgirl). Some of that is true, but not because he’s bad at his job (even though he is). He’s managed to do the impossible by beating the Dark Knight and learning his secret identity (Batman Eternal by James Tynion IV and Scott Snyder).

Josh Hartnett is an overlooked actor who could play Clue Master perfectly. He’s shown the range to portray an insecure character dealing with imposter syndrome on an extreme level. SinceThe Batman is in a darker universe, he’d fit in well. We’ve seen him in a bunch of shows and movies where he’s had to play someone gothic.

Projects to check out: Trap, 30 Days of Night, and Penny Dreadful

Professor Pyg

Actor: Jake Johnson

Professor Pyg is the weirdest character on this list. His obsession with horrific cosmetic surgeries to make his victims more beautiful is something out of a horror book. He’s the right kind of antagonist to be the second villain in The Batman sequel or a spin-off. It's a nice combination of creepy and eerily funny.

People know Jake Johnson from playing Nick Miller in New Girl. Despite that show being goofy, Jake Johnson had more than a few dramatic moments. A role like this could show the world that he’s better than he’s given credit for and lead to more serious parts (if that’s what he wants).

Projects to check out: Minx, Self Reliance, and New Girl

Maxie Zeus

Actor: Dave Bautista

Everyone wants or wanted Dave Bautista to play Bane. This writer included. Since that isn’t going to happen, Maxie Zeus could be the only way to get him into a DC Comics project as a character that fights Batman. Since it wouldn't be a main character, he wouldn't have to put too much stress on his body.

Maxie Zeus is a joke. He thinks he’s a god but he’s just another buff, delusional guy. We’ve seen Dave Bautista cut promos in the WWE that sound like something Maxie Zeus would say. The only difference is Bautista would get a second take if he messes up his lines.

Projects to check out: Guardians of the Galaxy, Knock at the Cabin, and Army of the Dead

Kiteman

Actor: Andy Samberg

Kite Man made his first appearance back in 1960 in Batman No. 133. He was an odd character then and he’s odder now. The idea of using kites to commit crimes is a joke and the villains and heroes remind him that it is. Nevertheless, Tom King reimagined the character during Batman: The War of Jokes and Riddles leading to his appearance in HBO's Harley Quinn and his spin-off, Kite Man: Hell Yeah!

Like Jake Johnson, we’ve seen a lot of comedy from Andy Samberg, but not the best from him. He’s had flashes of brilliance in Brooklyn 99 that prove this. Another example is the Hulu movie Palm Springs where he’s nothing like we’ve seen before this project. He'd be better playing Plastic Man, but he'd also rock as a funny Kite Man (Hell Yeah!) in a grim Gotham City.

Projects to check out: Brooklyn 99 and Palm Springs

Clayface

Actor: Willem Dafoe

Clayface is a character that people would love and despise. He’s sympathetic because of his obsession, but also easily hatable because of the lengths he’ll go to get what he wants. The best part is there are two versions of Clayface and different people who’ve used the name. 

Whether Willem Dafoe plays the original version of the character who used make-up to change his appearance (Detective Comics No. 40) or a monster changing his shape at will, he would kill it. Picture Dafoe playing a dark, angry, and out-of-work actor on the hunt for revenge. Now think about him doing this and overacting. He’s perfect.

Projects to check out: The Lighthouse, Murder on the Orient Express (2017), and Spider-Man (2004)

Condiment King

Actor: Bruce Campbell

Admittedly, this is a fan thing. Seeing Bruce Campbell’s Condiment King fight Robert Pattinson’s Dark Knight would be hilarious. There’s no way to make this a serious character and no one would play this role better than the man with the amazing chin. This writer just wants any of The Batman movies to start with Condiment King shooting Ketchup or Mustard at Batman and immediately getting punched in the face.

Projects to check out: The Evil Dead and Burn Notice

Calendar Man

Actor: John Leguizamo

There’s been a flamboyant Calendar Man (Batman: The Long Halloween) and one with weird powers (Tom King’s Batman). Either way, he can fit the theme of The Batman’s universe. Calendar Man doesn’t have to be someone out in the open fighting the Dark Knight. He can be an antagonist locked up in Arkham who helps with crimes with weird holiday clues.

I’ll go as far as to say that John Leguizamo is among the three most underappreciated actors alive today. There isn’t a genre he hasn’t done and performed well. You may look at Calendar Man and see his talents wasted. What I see is a guy who could bring the villain to life in a way that makes the villain popular in comics. 

Projects to check out: To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar, Carlito's Way, and Batman: The Audio Adventures