With The Batman – Half II formally on the best way with a 2027 launch date, quite a few the primary film’s story threads have been possible teases and setups for what’s subsequent within the journey of Robert Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne.
Having been launched to this brand-new model of Gotham and its Caped Crusader within the first film, The Batman – Half II has a number of avenues to proceed the story in some fairly thrilling methods. Between Gotham’s flooded streets, new villains, and the enlargement of Batman’s general mission, this world envisioned by director Matt Reeves is primed for escalation.
From doubtlessly hidden conspiracies, new villain teases, and unfinished rivalries, listed here are 8 methods 2022’s The Batman subtly set the stage for the upcoming sequel.
The Joker’s Debut In Arkham
Within the third act of The Batman, Paul Dano’s Riddler finds an surprising kindred spirit in Arkham Asylum: Barry Keoghan’s Joker. Whereas transient, the dialog between the 2 inmates completely hints at one thing a lot bigger. Likewise, their shared laughter and new “friendship” actually teases a future alliance, whereas additionally signaling that Gotham’s insanity has solely simply begun.
Joker’s introduction behind bars suggests he had already been energetic in Gotham lengthy earlier than Batman’s second yr. Certain sufficient, Matt Reeves finally launched a deleted scene the place Batman met with this “proto-Joker” in Arkham to get his opinion on the Riddler and his psychology, confirming their shared historical past the place Batman put his nemesis away a yr prior.
As such, persevering with the connection between Batman and Joker in The Batman – Half II as they each develop additional can be fascinating.
Gotham’s Energy Vacuum After Falcone’s Dying
In 2022’s The Batman, Carmine Falcone’s homicide by the hands of The Riddler left Gotham’s felony underworld large open. Falcone’s demise has completely set off the following part of Gotham’s struggles with a large energy vacuum being created, contemplating how a lot affect Falcone had at each degree of Gotham’s underworld, but in addition its corrupt establishments.
Likewise, the ending of The Batman particularly noticed Colin Farrell’s Penguin poised to rise, an arc that has since been fulfilled in Penguin’s 2024 spin-off sequence.
The Penguin sequence has very a lot bridged the hole, with Oz Cob taking full management of Falcone’s empire and past. Now, The Batman – Half II is positioned to see Pattinson’s Darkish Knight coping with the implications of Falcone’s fall and the ensuing shake-up in Gotham’s darkish established order Bruce knew would happen (simply as he claimed throughout The Batman’s last scenes).
Gotham’s Flooded Aftermath
The Batman’s citywide flood attributable to Riddler and his followers was as symbolic because it was damaging, with Gotham actually and figuratively drowned by its personal corruption.
The result’s that streets at the moment are in chaos with residents being displaced, whereas crime is working rampant (The Penguin has proved as a lot). With The Batman – Half II anticipated to be set just a few weeks later, the upcoming sequel will most certainly discover town’s break and makes an attempt at rebirth within the fashion of the traditional No Man’s Land storyline from the unique Batman comics.
With reformed crime syndicates and certain brand-new villains exploiting the chaos, this model of Gotham might be extra harmful than ever earlier than on the big-screen, making town and its struggles extra important to Reeves’ saga than has ever been seen earlier than in previous Batman films.
Catwoman Leaving For Blüdhaven
The top of 2022’s The Batman additionally noticed Zoë Kravitz’s Selina Kyle leaving Gotham. Heading for the neighboring metropolis of Blüdhaven (the long run house of Nightwing within the comics), Selina leaving Batman and placing their relationship on an unsure cliffhanger does really feel like a superb signal that she’ll finally make a return.
Then once more, Catwoman’s absence may be explored in The Batman – Half II, with Bruce Wayne maybe discovering another potential love-interest from the comics, like reporter Vicki Vale or socialite Silver St. Cloud.
Batman’s New Campaign – Vengeance Is not Sufficient
By the tip of The Batman, Bruce comes to grasp his sole give attention to vengeance and galvanizing concern within the hearts of criminals is not sufficient for Gotham. The harmless want hope and justice simply as a lot as town’s felony ingredient requires vengeance and concern.
As such, Batman rescuing a number of Gothamites from Riddler’s flood is a defining second. The Darkish Knight has grow to be Gotham’s true protector, having developed into an emblem of hope as he understands that he should grow to be greater than “Vengeance” alone.
The Batman – Half II will possible give us a extra developed Darkish Knight in comparison with the one he obtained within the first film, having gone past the confines of his authentic campaign.
Teases For Hush, A Main Batman Villain
Many followers of the Batman comics possible observed the identify “Elliot” within the footage launched by Riddler about Thomas Wayne’s scandal and the way he tried to cowl up a narrative that might have uncovered his spouse’s troubled previous, a scandal which ended with Carmine Falcone killing reporter Edward Elliot who had refused to take Wayne’s “hush” cash.
It is broadly assumed that it is a nod to the traditional Batman villain Tommy Elliot aka Hush. It’s a fast reference, however feels too particular to be unintentional. Contemplating The Batman’s give attention to legacy and corruption, Hush suits completely for a sequel.
Within the comics, Tommy was a childhood good friend of Bruce turned enemy, waging a psychological battle on Bruce/Batman as an grownup.
Seeing as how there’s extra to the Wayne household’s historical past that might nonetheless be revealed, The Batman – Half II may simply lean into that paranoia, giving us a villain who is aware of The Darkish Knight as each Bruce and Batman, maybe on this universe because the son of Edward Elliot looking for revenge.
Teases For The Courtroom of Owls
One other potential thread for brand spanking new villains may come from Gotham’s elite with the key cult of corrupt, untouchable figures manipulating occasions from the shadows often called The Courtroom of Owls. The key society may simply be revealed following the demise of Falcone, driving Gohtam into higher chaos as they maybe conflict with undesirable figures like Batman, although maybe Penguin as nicely.
A comparatively newer addition to Batman’s large listing of rogues, The Courtroom of Owls is an unlimited community of influential figures, utilizing undead assassins often called Talons to hold out their bidding and form the course of Gotham’s historical past as they see match. It might be wonderful to see them as a serious new menace in The Batman – Half II.
“Gotham Loves A Comeback Story”
Throughout Riddler’s dialog with Joker in Arkham Asylum, the traditional arch-foe performed by Barry Keoghan ominously feedback, “Gotham loves a comeback story.” The implication is that each Joker and Riddler may simply return in future installments to face Batman and wreak havoc in Gotham as soon as extra.
As Gotham struggles to rebuild itself with its personal comeback, one may simply see a future chapter of Matt Reeves’ saga the place the comeback of key Batman villains threaten to get in the best way of town’s rebirth.
At any price, it is going to be fascinating to see which threads and potential items of set-up are finally picked up for The Batman – Half II.
The Batman – Half II releaes in theaters on October 1st, 2027