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Batman Day; Black Actors We Want to See as The Dark Knight’s Famous Villains

Regina Hall, Tyler James Williams and Danai Gurira are some of the actors we want to see join Batman's rogues gallery.

Photo: Getty Images John Lamparski, Jon Kopaloff, Jamie McCarthy

Batman has an extensive roster of fascinating villains. Yes, many of them are just bad people motivated by money, revenge or pure insanity. However, a few have personal, more complex reasons for doing what they do. In the live-action film adaptations Hollywood has given us, weโ€™ve seen him fight The Joker quite a few times, so itโ€™s time to move on and highlight some other members of Batmanโ€™s rogues gallery. To celebrate Batman Day, this is our list of Black actors we want to see as The Dark Knightโ€™s next villain.

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Brian Tyree Henry - Two-Face

Photo: Getty Images Monica Schipper/Batman: The Animated Series (screenshot)

So far weโ€™ve seen Tommy Lee Jonesโ€™ cartoonish version of Two-Face and Aaron Eckhartโ€™s self-righteous Harvey Dent. Brian Tyree Henry would be able to give us the heartbreak of Harvey and the menacing, unhinged evil of Two-Face, and make both believable.

Kelvin Harrison Jr. - Red Hood

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_l8Boo_SYk

Red Hood is more of an anti-hero than villain. Former Robin Jason Todd is still fighting crime, heโ€™s just taking over the underworld and openly killing anyone who gets in his way. Kelvin Harrison would bring a sense of sympathy and understanding to this fallen hero.

Michael B. Jordan - Clayface

Photo: Getty Images Mike Coppola/Batman: The Animated Series (screenshot)

In Batman: The Animated Series, Clayface is a former actor who is forcefully fed an overdose of the chemicals that turn him into the muddy monster. At first, the crimes he commits are a means to find a cure for his condition. Michael B. Jordan could deliver a beautiful combination of the characterโ€™s desperation and infatuation with his newfound power.

John David Washington - Deadshot

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PN4b_iU7U6E

Will Smith was a fantastic Deadshot, but it seems like DC Films is moving on from earlier stories and adaptations. A fresh start with a slightly less comical version of the hitman that explores his push-pull, frenemy relationship with Amanda Waller would be a cool way to reintroduce him.

John Boyega - Scarecrow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69ttpbT_ZqU

Thereโ€™s no heartbreaking origin behind Scarecrow. Yes, he had a horrible childhood, but that doesnโ€™t mean you get to become an evil psychologist who uses peopleโ€™s fears against them. John Boyega could bring an interesting charm and humanity to a truly awful character.

Tyler James Williams - The Riddler

Photo: Getty Images Jon Kopaloff/DC Comics (screenshot)

The Riddler is one of the few rogues who can genuinely match wits with Batman. Iโ€™d like to see Tyler James Williams play into the weird outsider aspects of the character and make him a little more real. Something between Jim Carreyโ€™s way over the top portrayal and Paul Danoโ€™s serial killer.

Lupita Nyongโ€™o - Catwoman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBJIP_LRLrs

Selina Kyle is Bruce Wayneโ€™s one true love. She may not always agree with his methods, but she understands his crusade. Lupita could easily blend Catwomanโ€™s badass fearlessness with Selinaโ€™s well-protected heart.

Keke Palmer โ€“ Poison Ivy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fda5ARkbrWc

Poison Ivy is really just a misunderstood environmentalist. Sheโ€™s just trying to protect our natural resources from man-made damage and overdevelopment. Keke Palmer would be brilliant at combining Ivyโ€™s rage with her undeniable sexiness.

Dominique Fishback - Harley Quinn

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nss0ghyCrm0

Margot Robbie is a great Harley Quinn, but Dominique Fishback would really destroy us with a Harley who is simultaneous hilarious, heartbreak and unpredictable. Look no further than her Emmy nominated work in Swarm.

Regina Hall - Mad Hatter

Photo: Getty Images John Lamparski/Superman: The Animated Series (screenshot)

Jervis Tetch was a brilliant scientist who developed various means that enabled him to mind control others. As he becomes increasingly disconnected from the real world, he immerses himself in an Alice in Wonderland fantasy. Regina Hall would absolutely find the perfect balance between delusional villain and sad, overlooked genius. Making the Mad Hatter a woman also opens up the character to fresh avenues.

Daniel Kaluuya - Hugo Strange

Photo: Getty Images Arturo Holmes/DC Comics (screenshot)

Hugo Strange is an insane doctor whoโ€™s into experimenting on humans. Thereโ€™s no deeper meaning or sympathy to be found here. Iโ€™m sure Daniel Kaluuya would bring a captivating menace to the one note doctor. Plus, Iโ€™d love to see him go full unrepentant evil villain.

Yara Shahidi - Alice

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAqIXa4MtcM

In The CWโ€™s Batwoman, Alice was kidnapped when she was a little girl and turned into an unstable, expert killer. She lost herself in an Alice in Wonderland fantasy to survive. Rachel Skarsten made the character unforgettable, but it would be interesting to see how Yara Shahidi brings a thoughtful, measured, less crazy version of Alice to life.

Danai Gurira - Curarรฉ

Photo: Getty Images Jamie McCarthy/Batman Beyond (screenshot)

Curarรฉ is the worldโ€™s greatest assassin. Sheโ€™s never failed an assignment, until she meets Terry McGinnis/Batman. Her signature weapon is an extremely thin, sharp sword. Who better to be a live-action Curarรฉ than Danai Gurira. Even if we only see her face once, she will make the assassin instantly feel like one of Batmanโ€™s most essential rogues.

Nnamdi Asomugha - Bane

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zaJdLb07NU

Bane as a former athlete who was used and discarded by a corrupt system sounds like a fascinating way to modernize the villain. And no one needs him to have a weird voice this time around.

Colman Domingo - Raโ€™s al Ghul

Photo: Getty Images Jemal Countess/Batman: The Animated Series (screenshot)

Batmanโ€™s most formidable foe, Raโ€™s al Ghul, would be a lot more interesting if he was an immortal warrior whoโ€™d live through centuries as a Black man. Imagine how that changes the whole perception of not only The Demonโ€™s Hand, but the League of Assassins? Colman Domingo has both the regal quality and intense self-belief that makes Raโ€™s so impossible to defeat.

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