The villains in Batman projects could be more important than the Dark Knight himself. They’re a reminder that no matter the obstacle, the Caped Crusader will come out on top. Otherwise, he's just a rich guy beating up regular criminals. It also helps that his enemies are widely known as best in comics. Among them is Poison Ivy.
Recently, Pamela Isley has been more anti-hero than a villain in DC Comics. However, she is more widely known as someone Batman frequently fights. That means, while she's not as diabolical in the comics, her theatrical debut will be as a villain.
Whether it’s in James Gunn’s or Matt Reeves’ universe, Ivy’s casting will be looked at closely. Whoever plays her has to be more than just evil. They must be sympathetic, enticing, able to move fluidly, and so much more. The following ten performers can do all of that and more. However, for one reason or another, some of them are more “they could have played” instead of “can play”.
Charlize Theron
This list has to start with one of the greatest performers ever. Besides being an award-winning actress for Monster, there’s nothing Charlize Theron can’t do. We’ve seen her in dramas, comedies, and action flicks. There are even bad movies where she still shined.
It's easy to see her becoming one of Bruce Wayne's enemies who controls and forces him to do what she wants like in Batman: The Long Halloween. Or she could be the terrifying villain that threatens the life of every human in Gotham City.
Sofia Boutella
Sofia Boutella is sexy without even trying and this writer isn’t referring to her body. She has a look that exudes seduction (an important trait when playing Poison Ivy). That includes when she was a god (Ahmanet) in The Mummy (don’t hold her being in that movie against her). Plus, she’s played a convincing bad-@$$ in movies like Kingsman: The Secret Service and Hotel Artemis.
Sofia Boutella is one of the only people on this list who could still play Poison Ivy. She'd be at the top of the list if I had to cast someone.
Delainey Hayles
When I think about the best performances of 2024, Delainey Hayles comes to mind. She stepped into the role of Claudia in AMC‘s Interview with a Vampire and killed it. No one on that show had a deadlier look than her. Considering she was acting alongside killers like Louis de Pointe du Lac (played by Jacob Anderson) and Lestat de Lioncourt (Sam Reid), that says a lot. Imagine what she'd do if she played Poison Ivy. Not even Batman would overshadow her.
At the young age of 25, this writer believes that she will become one of the greatest performers of her generation. Maybe ever. What I’ve seen from her in that one role is all I need to see to know there’s nothing she can’t do.
Margot Robbie
Margot Robbie continues to prove that she is one of the best actresses in Hollywood and would have rocked in this role. The problem is she’s played Harley Quinn. This writer wonders if people can get past her in either Suicide Squad movies to see her in a different DC Comics project. This is a shame because it’s doubtful anyone would have a problem with her being cast as Pamela Isley.
Nicole Kidman
Part of the reason Batman Forever was a below-average movie was the casting. Good performers were given bad dialogue, direction, and roles. In this case, we have Nicole Kidman playing a character that no one heard of or cared about.
Being Dr. Chase Meridian was a waste of her talents. She should have been more than Bruce Wayne's lover and eye candy. Now, recast Kidman and make her Poison Ivy and we’re having a different conversation. She's a strong enough performer to handle the duty of being the main or only villain in Batman Forever. She may not have been the Nicole Kidman we know today, but she was still capable of playing the role.
Karen Gillan
People probably don’t look at Karen Gillan as sexy (which she is), but that’s okay. While it’s a part of Ivy’s personality, it isn’t the only part. If Karen Gillan was cast as the villain in a Batman movie, she would be a more action-oriented antagonist for The Dark Knight. We’ve seen her play that role in three Guardians of the Galaxy, two Jumanji movies, and Gunpowder Milkshake. Picture her guiding plant life during a fight. It would look fantastic.
Evan Rachel Wood
Ever since HBO's Westworld, I’ve been waiting for Evan Rachel Wood to appear in a comic book movie. Maybe playing Poison Ivy is the role this writer has been waiting for.
Throughout HBO's once-popular show, she did something phenomenal that could be applied to Poison Ivy. That's including the sometimes forgettable final season. She was tough, loving (this can be applied to Harley Quinn), intelligent, ruthless, and alluring. What more do you need?
Betty Gilpin
Whether it was Glow, The Hunt, or Nurse Jackie, Betty Gilpin could steal a scene in multiple ways. We’ve seen her have some goofy and awkward moments that could be the pre-Poison Ivy days and the killer that’s needed to be a believable Batman villain. Also, standing at five feet seven inches with a slim but athletic frame, she would look intimidating. Especially if she’s given lifts in her shoes.
Eva Green
I have frequently said that Evan Green looks like the perfect antagonist. She constantly appears like an attractive woman who poisons pies and gives them to unsuspecting heroes. It’s not a knock because she does it well. For example, her roles in Sin City: A Dame to Kill For and 300: Rise of an Empire. Both movies may not have been blockbusters, but she was a 10-out-of-10 each time playing the dangerous woman with little to no weaknesses.
Aubrey Plaza
Before you dismiss this, you should be reminded that Aubrey Plaza doesn’t need to be quirky to be good. It may be what she’s known for, but she’s not a one-trick performer. For example, during White Lotus, she played a character unlike April in Parks and Recs and Rio/Death in Agatha All Along. She showed signs of being vindictive and secretive. However, in Agatha All Along, we see that she’s more than capable of portraying someone perceived as evil. In the case of Poison Ivy, her methods may be extreme, but they’re understandable.
Who would you cat as Poison Ivy? There's no way you don't have someone else in mind. Let us know on the Bam Smack Pow Bluesky, Instagram, and Twitter.