Summary
2024 is a big year for DC, particularlyBatmanand the associated villains from his Rogues Gallery, with dozens of villains popping up across several projects. Ahead of theDCUofficially debuting in live action in 2025 with James Gunn’sSuperman, 2024 is the year of Batman and the villains that terrorize Arkham and beyond. Despite several projects appearing in 2024, there are very few villains that overlap between projects.
Considering DC is also pushing a big effort through animated shows likeHarley Quinn,Batman: Caped Crusader,Kite Man: Hell Yeah!, andCreature Commandos, there are plenty of villains set to appear in splendid animation. Alongside the animated shows,The Penguinis set to expand theworld of Matt Reeves’The Batman, andJoker: Folie à Deuxwill see Joaquin Phoenix reprise his role as Arthur Fleck in the critically acclaimedJokerseries.
Harley Quinn
Kaley Cuoco, Jamie Chung, Lady Gaga
Harley Quinn, Batman: Caped Crusader, Joker: Folie à Deux, Kite Man: Hell Yeah!
Played By Kaley Cuoco, Jamie Chung, & Lady Gaga
While most of these villains are appearing in a single project, Harley Quinn continues to prove incredibly popular, with three separate iterations coming in 2024. In August, Harleen Quinzell has a unique new-look inBatman: Caped Crusader, voiced by Jamie Chung. On October 4th, the only live action version of the character will be played by Lady Gaga, appearing inJoker: Folie à Deux. And finally, in an undisclosed slot,Harley Quinnreturns for season 5 of the self-titled animated series where she will be voiced by Kaley Cuoco. This version will also appear in the new HBO Max series,Kite Man: Hell Yeah!
Penguin
Played By Colin Farrell, & Unknown
The second and thus far only, other villain to appear in multiple 2024 projects is the Penguin.The Penguin, a live-action series starring Colin Farrell and executive produced by Matt Reeves, will begin streaming on HBO Max in September. However, one month earlier in August, the Penguin is set toappear inBatman: Caped Crusader,where the character has been revealed in a trailer, but is yet to have a voice actor officially announced.
Joker
Played By Joaquin Phoenix
The Joker is Batman’s greatest foe, and a character that is as likely as Harley Quinn to show up in multiple projects, though he has only been confirmed for one so far. Joaquin Phoenix first tackled the role of a version of the beloved character that shed the typical mysterious origin and provided a backstory for the character by the name of Arthur Fleck. The first film by Todd Phillips featuring the reimagined villain was released in 2019.
Sofia Falcone
Played By Cristin Milioti
Sofia Falcone is the daughter of the notorious crime boss, Carmine Falcone. InThe Batman, Carmine is killed near the end of the film, but it is likely that his daughter will now have a significant role to play as the powers in Gotham shift and new villains rise up to claim territory. In the comics, she also claims the title, the Hangman, a ruthless serial killer who frequently faces off with The Gotham Guardian.
Salvatore Maroni
Played By Clancy Brown
Salvatore Maroni, commonly referred to as “The Boss,” is another major crime lord in Gotham. Originally, Maroni was the man responsible for throwing acid in the face of district attorney Harvey Dent, and turning him into Two-Face. Maroni will appear inThe Penguin,played by actor Clancy Brown, who will presumably also be vying for power in a newly broken Gotham.
Poison Ivy
Played By Lake Bell
In the animated series,Harley Quinn, Harley has long since broken up with her ex, the Joker. Since then, she has found a newlove as she and Poison Ivy, formerly known as Pamela Isley. Ivy and Harley are a great match, and their partnership in the series is explored in detail as the pair try to make their life work together, despite the constant array of powerful villains who disturb their peace. In the show, she is voiced by Lake Bell.
Please DC, Make The DCU Batman Different To Ben Affleck’s Bruce Wayne In This 1 Key Way
Ben Affleck was great as Batman in the DCEU; however, I want the new DC Universe to make Bruce Wayne different from his in a crucial way.
Kite Man
Played By Matt Oberg
Another alum ofHarley Quinnis set to receive their own spin-off series. Kite Man has frequently appeared inHarley Quinn, and in July, Kite Man will star inKite Man: Hell Yeah!alongside a variety of other characters from the Batverse. Within both shows, the character is voiced by Matt Oberg, and he portrays a goofy villain who uses special kites for transport and as weapons.
Darkseid
Played By Keith David
Darkseid is one of the most powerful villains in DC Comics, and a frequent villain that faces off against Superman and the Justice League. His role in the upcomingKite Man: Hell Yeah!appears to be as a pivotal antagonist. Meanwhile, he will also be voiced by Keith David, a popular voice artist who voices Husk in the hit seriesHazbin Hotel.
Bane
Played By James Adomian
Bane is a chemically enhanced human whose body is drastically altered thanks to a chemical substance called Venom he uses to increase his strength. His incredible strength and tactical prowess makes him a menacing rival to Batman in general. Bane is voiced by James Adomian forKite Man: Hell Yeah!, a role which Adomian is reprising from his previous appearances inHarley Quinn. Within the show, he is a considerably less threatening villain, who is often employed as a henchman to more nefarious characters.
Two-Face
Played By Diedrich Bader
Two-Face was formerly the well respected district attorney, Harvey Dent, in Gotham who was intent on changing the city for the better, and locking up criminals. However, in Gotham, Dent was despised by the criminal underbelly and viciously attacked. As a result, Dent shed his identity and left his work behind tobecome the twisted criminal, Two-Face. InBatman: Caped Crusader, the character will be voiced by Diedrich Bader, who is the voice of Batman in theHarley Quinnanimated show.
What’s Going On With The DCU’s Batman Casting?
James Gunn has shared a new update on the status of the casting search for the DC Universe’s Batman amid several rumors regarding the new Bruce Wayne.
