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i think the riddler would be ok but what do u guys think??

Solution:

Patric Stewart
Mr. Freeze
Set in winter, in Gotham
Christmas Blockbuster
Profit

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"We're not tools of the government or anyone else. Fighting... fighting was the only thing I was ever good at, but at least I always fought for what I believed in." - Frank Yeager (a.k.a. Grey Fox)

Patrick Stewart would be an awesome Mr. Freeze, but Patrick Stewart is freakin' awesome.

Personally I wanna see a well-acted Bane, like he was intended. Brilliant and cunning with all the muscle. And I wanna see him cripple the Bat. I don't care what anyone says, it's time for the good guy to lose in the end

Better solution:

Bring Raul Julia back from the dead
Use some HGH to make him super-muscled
Bane
Release on Cinco de Mayo
Profit
(/tastelessness)

In all seriousness, I want to see the Riddler, and I want to see the Nolan brothers get crazy-creative with some riddlesome thriller/heists. Even better - hide the Riddler's identity for most of the film's beginning, and keep the audience guessing. I know they could do something really cool with it.

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this is a blog mostly about comics and videogames
END SPOILER

Quote (laszlow @ 10th August 2008 18:54)

In all seriousness, I want to see the Riddler, and I want to see the Nolan brothers get crazy-creative with some riddlesome thriller/heists. Even better - hide the Riddler's identity for most of the film's beginning, and keep the audience guessing. I know they could do something really cool with it.

And the one thing to make all that come true:
Edward Norton.

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Life goes on, it surely will,
Without me and I wonder:
Will I ever see light again?

Life goes on...

This Batman series is very dark, and I don't think that characters like the Riddler or Robin would work for that reason. The only time they've ever worked in dark settings is animated media (the comics and Batman: the Animated Series). They've never really worked in live action media without it descending into camp. For that reason, I don't think Riddler should be the next villain. This series also tries to feel very real, even though it's a fantastical comic book movie. Really sci-fi villains like Mr. Freeze and Clayface won't work for that reason.

I think considering how much they are delving into Bruce Wayne's psyche, the best continuation of that would have to be Catwoman. The love/hate relationship between her and Batman, and Bruce Wayne and Selena Kyle, has always colored the Batman comics. She's a villain, but also a love interest, and that makes her a great antagonist.

Possible spoilers: highlight to view

Also, Bruce Wayne needs a new love interest now that Rachel Dawes is dead.

I don't know how well it would work, but I've also always wanted to see Killer Croc in a movie. Yeah, he's a little more on the sci-fi end of Batman villains, but you can believe that somewhere a person might be born with the alligator version of elephant-man disease. Think of how they worked the Penguin into Batman Returns as a deformed orphan.

Overall, though, I trust Nolan to pick the right villain and make it work. He might even choose to develop Two-Face more, for all we know. He's got good judgment and has proven himself a worthy successor to the Batman series.

I've heard rumors to the effect of Johnny Depp as Riddler and Phillip Seymour Hoffman as Penguin, but I think that might be more "wish-list" rumors than "in actual talks" rumors. I agree I wouldn't be too excited about the Riddler normally, but I think Depp is one of the few actors that could pull that one off without it descending into camp.

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The Riddler as performed by Johnny Depp is as good as a reality. Depp was asked if he'd play the role and he has already expressed his desire to take part in the Nolan-Batman saga. There was an article on both yahoo and msn about it earlier, I'll go link hunting shortly and edit it in.

Personally, I'd love to see an accurate portrayal of Selina Kyle/Catwoman. Especially now that Batman is being hunted, it would be interesting to see what kind of further darkness she could add to his character. After all, Catwoman has always been the temptation Batman could not resist.

I can't see Clayface as a main villain and I don't want this Batman series to start employing the "throw any villain you can into the movie for the sake of it" route that the earlier movies took. Manbat would be interesting as well, though highly unlikely.

I wouldn't mind more Two-Face, at all.

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Okay, but there was a goat!

Quote (Dragon_Fire @ 10th August 2008 20:47)

I wouldn't mind more Two-Face, at all.

Possible spoilers: highlight to view

Two Face be dead lololz spoilerz Harvey Dent more like Harvey Dead

I've heard the Johnny Depp/Riddler deal also. Although I have personal qualms with people going absolute crazynuts over anything Depp sticks his left pinkey into, I guess he's a good fit. His acting is obviously not an issue, and he has the relative physical build for the role.

I've also heard an outlandish Angelina Jolie/Catwoman rumor. Almost definitely, 99% untrue, but if it was, I'd probably kill myself.

And it is a little creepy how utterly perfect Patrick Stewart's complexion is for certain comic book character roles. Acting-wise, dunno if he could pull off Mr. Freeze.

Quote

This Batman series is very dark, and I don't think that characters like the Riddler or Robin would work for that reason. The only time they've ever worked in dark settings is animated media (the comics and Batman: the Animated Series). They've never really worked in live action media without it descending into camp. For that reason, I don't think Riddler should be the next villain. This series also tries to feel very real, even though it's a fantastical comic book movie. Really sci-fi villains like Mr. Freeze and Clayface won't work for that reason.

I agree with half of the first sentence. Then this all goes to hell. Yes, these Batman installments have been very dark. But that has nothing to do with how well/badly Riddler, Robin, Mr. Freeze, or Clayface have turned out in non-animated media. It is undoubtedly the fault of the writing, scripting, directing, and acting. Think about who played these guys... Jim Carey? Ah-nuld??? Please.

Batman: The Animated Series was renowned for being one of the first animated cartoons that involved dark themes and presentation. The comic books, obviously, have always been very dark, gritty, and on the bounds of reality. To fault Batman villains due to their lack of synergy with the movie style is absolutely ridiculous. If ANYTHING, consider that the MOST whimsical character in animated canon is undoubtedly the JOKER. And well lookee how he turned out on the silver screen.

I think a well-done Riddler could be wonderful. It would avoid making the series stale by repeating the gruesomely sadistic tale of Dark Knight and instead veering towards situations where a more intellectual battle ensues, revealing a contemplative, calculating, and cognitive Batman. And it could have great psychological elements as well.

I've never really been convinced of Penguin being able to hold his own as a movie villain. He just descends into too much of a one-dimension villain, with his only out as being an "evil businessman" character. He's more of an informant-cameo-type.

Bane would be nice. But who are we kidding.

I think Killer Croc could actually work out, maybe if paired with another villain correctly. Catwoman could work out... Batman chasing Killer Croc while being distracted/seduced/confused by a fence-sitting love interest.

And I can't believe you said Man Bat DF.

My personal vote of impossibility goes to Ras Al Ghul's RETURN in a tale incorporating LAZARUS PITS and, of course, the lovely Talia.

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I find your lack of faith disturbing...

well, something ive heard
if this was mentioned, nvm.

Possible spoilers: highlight to view

that lawyer that tried to blackmail batman's last name was Resse. Mr. Reese? Mysteries? Riddler perhaps?

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Aujourdhui a commence avec toi.

Quote (Kappa the Imp @ 10th August 2008 22:25)

Quote (Dragon_Fire @ 10th August 2008 20:47)

I wouldn't mind more Two-Face, at all.

Possible spoilers: highlight to view

Two Face be dead lololz spoilerz Harvey Dent more like Harvey Dead

Hmm.

Possible spoilers: highlight to view

I'm in the camp that doesn't think Two-Face is actually physically dead. I mean, come on, he survived worse just in that car crash and if Mulroney didn't die from the fall he was subjected to, which was higher if I recall correctly, then I can't imagine Two-Face truly being dead. Besides, I don't think thinking that Batman would have just let him die. Harvey Dent is dead, yes, but I think that was a show to express that the "side" of him that was Harvey is gone.

Besides Nate, you should know better than anyone that no villain -ever- stays dead. Or, better put, with the exception of Batman's parents and Uncle Ben, no one ever stays dead for long.

I'd love to see a Al-Ghoul heavily themed plot, bringing in Talia as well...but I just think there is far too much history and depth there to fit into a movie. Especially the Lazarus Pits! Jeez, that alone would take an hour's worth of explanation.

Oh god, I just realized that I'd absolutely love to see a Black Mask in the films. He's absolutely dark enough and easy enough to fit into the gritty gotham portrayed by Nolan. Not to mention he's a sick and twisted enough character to keep us going even after the Joker's lovely performance.

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Okay, but there was a goat!

I'd like to see croc (everyone else has been done already) or more two-face.

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Quote (dont chocobos rule? @ 11th August 2008 03:57)

well, something ive heard
if this was mentioned, nvm.

Possible spoilers: highlight to view

that lawyer that tried to blackmail batman's last name was Resse. Mr. Reese? Mysteries? Riddler perhaps?

That's a really interesting point, DCR; I didn't catch that.

Now, let's say the next movie did something really radical and invented a brand new villain, but paired him or her with a more familiar one and had this newbie play the roll of the henchman until their boss was defeated (meaning this new villain doesn't really come into their own until the movie after the next one). Based on the latest installment, what sort of villain does everyone think Nolan would invent (purely hypothetical!), and who would portray them?

And yes, I'm trying to avoid weighing in on the genuine speculation as to the next villain - I'm far to unfamiliar with Batman to think my speculations worth reading.

One villain I've seen most people forget is Scarecrow. I don't really see people like Riddler working that well in such a dark setting (probably could work), but Scarecrow, now there's a dude who would easily thrive, with his hallucinogenic gasses and all kinds of creepy-crawlies. It'd be kind of nice to see a villain who hasn't already been shone before, too.

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I feel my luck can change

What about Mad Hatter?

Quote (Kappa the Imp @ 10th August 2008 18:25)

Quote

This Batman series is very dark, and I don't think that characters like the Riddler or Robin would work for that reason. The only time they've ever worked in dark settings is animated media (the comics and Batman: the Animated Series). They've never really worked in live action media without it descending into camp. For that reason, I don't think Riddler should be the next villain. This series also tries to feel very real, even though it's a fantastical comic book movie. Really sci-fi villains like Mr. Freeze and Clayface won't work for that reason.

I agree with half of the first sentence. Then this all goes to hell. Yes, these Batman installments have been very dark. But that has nothing to do with how well/badly Riddler, Robin, Mr. Freeze, or Clayface have turned out in non-animated media. It is undoubtedly the fault of the writing, scripting, directing, and acting. Think about who played these guys... Jim Carey? Ah-nuld??? Please.

Batman: The Animated Series was renowned for being one of the first animated cartoons that involved dark themes and presentation. The comic books, obviously, have always been very dark, gritty, and on the bounds of reality. To fault Batman villains due to their lack of synergy with the movie style is absolutely ridiculous. If ANYTHING, consider that the MOST whimsical character in animated canon is undoubtedly the JOKER. And well lookee how he turned out on the silver screen.

OK, fair enough. Let me rephrase a bit. They've never been done well in live-action media yet. I'll say again that I trust Nolan to pull off whatever he thinks is best, and if they cast Johnny Depp they're already on a good path (although I gotta say, at this early stage, don't believe that's anything close to a done deal). Still, you mention Joker - and while he's "whimsical" in the comics, he's also a homicidal manic. With the Riddler as the villain, I don't think we can expect something nearly as action packed as Batman Begins or Dark Knight but instead something entirely cerebral, and that might be a big transition for audiences to make. But we'll see...

Quote (Shotgunnova @ 11th August 2008 07:21)

One villain I've seen most people forget is Scarecrow. I don't really see people like Riddler working that well in such a dark setting (probably could work), but Scarecrow, now there's a dude who would easily thrive, with his hallucinogenic gasses and all kinds of creepy-crawlies. It'd be kind of nice to see a villain who hasn't already been shone before, too.

Batman Begins, dude. He's in the Dark Knight too.

Quote (Shotgunnova @ 11th August 2008 10:21)

One villain I've seen most people forget is Scarecrow. I don't really see people like Riddler working that well in such a dark setting (probably could work), but Scarecrow, now there's a dude who would easily thrive, with his hallucinogenic gasses and all kinds of creepy-crawlies. It'd be kind of nice to see a villain who hasn't already been shone before, too.

... Did you see Batman Begins?

And Mad Hatter... eh... mind control could make for an interesting situation, but I'd still prefer the Riddler. Anyone saying that the setting is too dark for him is A) not nearly qualified to make that kind of blanket generalization, and B) conveniently forgot that The Joker is about as cartoony and campy as Batman villains get.

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this is a blog mostly about comics and videogames
END SPOILER

Quote (laszlow @ 11th August 2008 08:01)

Anyone saying that the setting is too dark for him is A) not nearly qualified to make that kind of blanket generalization, and conveniently forgot that The Joker is about as cartoony and campy as Batman villains get.

OK...I assume you're referring to me, since I'm the only one who really said that. I'm not sure what you mean by "not nearly qualified" but I'm a huge Batman fan. Honestly, I could give you a "Batman resume" to prove my "qualifications," but I'm not about to get into a pissing contest about it. I've seen how contentious these boards can get over silly topics, and I just don't have the desire or time to bother about it.

If timing had been better, I would have made my response to you and Kappa at the same time. But alas, I didn't know you were gonna post. But see my above response to him, it essentially raises all the same points I'm not about to repeat.

Quote (MetroidMorphBall @ 11th August 2008 11:56)

With the Riddler as the villain, I don't think we can expect something nearly as action packed as Batman Begins or Dark Knight but instead something entirely cerebral, and that might be a big transition for audiences to make. But we'll see...

Not only can you expect something as action packed, you can expect something just as dark and twisted. A lot of people don't give credit to the Riddler where it's due, but quite frankly, the man is a brilliant villain. What isn't action packed about, say, Batman being forced to solve a riddle before, oh, I don't know, an orphanage blows up? Anyone who ever read the Hush arc knows that Edward is all kinds of crazy, his character is dark and deep enough to do some real justice on film if portrayed by the right actor.

Making it more cerebral wouldn't be a bad thing, either. Batman is first and foremost the world's greatest detective, after all.

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Okay, but there was a goat!

Quote (Dragon_Fire @ 11th August 2008 09:59)

Not only can you expect something as action packed, you can expect something just as dark and twisted. A lot of people don't give credit to the Riddler where it's due, but quite frankly, the man is a brilliant villain. What isn't action packed about, say, Batman being forced to solve a riddle before, oh, I don't know, an orphanage blows up? Anyone who ever read the Hush arc knows that Edward is all kinds of crazy, his character is dark and deep enough to do some real justice on film if portrayed by the right actor.

Making it more cerebral wouldn't be a bad thing, either. Batman is first and foremost the world's greatest detective, after all.

It's been awhile since I read it, but I don't remember the Riddler doing anything nearly as crazy as threatening to blow up an orphanage in Hush. That sounds more like something the Joker would do. True, Riddler ended up being behind the events in Hush (along w/ Hush himself) but that story arc also included almost all of Batman's rogue gallery, which you could never pack into a movie.

Look, clearly I'm in the minority here, I'll cave on that. Riddler could make a great villain if done properly, and clearly the people who were involved in making these two blockbuster movies are better suited to cast the villain than I am. But if you want my honest opinion, I also think that the large audience that has come to appreciate Dark Knight and Batman Begins (i.e. a large general audience not comprised entirely of comic book nerds) might have a hard time transitioning to Riddler. I think, at the very least, that you have to couple him with another villain.

Saying "not qualified" was a poor choice of words on my part. I just wanted to convey the idea that none of us can say anything as to what is "wrong" or "right" for the new Batman franchise, when Nolan has basically hit a pair of home runs with material that could have gone a number of different routes. I don't think any Batman villains should be removed from consideration for the next movie, because I have faith that the Dark Knight creative team could do something spectacular with just about any of them, and the idea that any character is too campy or "sci-fi" is a lack of faith.

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this is a blog mostly about comics and videogames
END SPOILER

Quote (laszlow @ 11th August 2008 11:42)

Saying "not qualified" was a poor choice of words on my part.  I just wanted to convey the idea that none of us can say anything as to what is "wrong" or "right" for the new Batman franchise, when Nolan has basically hit a pair of home runs with material that could have gone a number of different routes.  I don't think any Batman villains should be removed from consideration for the next movie, because I have faith that the Dark Knight creative team could do something spectacular with just about any of them, and the idea that any character is too campy or "sci-fi" is a lack of faith.

I don't mean to "lack the faith" in Christopher Nolan. Did anything I say disrespect Nolan and his crew? Not at all, they've made two incredible movies and I think I've said (about five times now) I trust in Nolan to pull it off. But I don't think he's Jesus, either.

As I remember it, in the Dark Knight thread you didn't think Robin would work. I would never blame you for "lacking the faith" because you said it. Heck, I even agree with you. I just have similar doubts about Riddler - never been a big fan, and he's never really worked in live action before. Might it turn out that the Nolan team makes him a spectacular villain worth remembering? Of course, pretty sure I said that too. This is just my opinion as a Batman fan and someone with (very, very limited) experience in the entertainment industry.

I think it's best to be cynical, because normally hard to make sequels as good as the originals. But Nolan has done a great job with the movies. I don't know why but I don't like the idea of the Riddler in the next one. I guess I can't get Jim Carrey's Riddler out of my head. I think they should do an obscure villain instead of a well known one.

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Praise Be To Helix!

I never said that Robin wouldn't work. I paraphrased Christian Bale - some time ago he said that "[he] would not work in a Batman film that co-stars Robin."

Look, I'm really biased here. The Riddler is one of my favorite Batman villains. When people dismiss him as a good candidate for a villain in any upcoming Batman film I get a little incredulous. I think he could be awesome. But hell, none of us have any good idea what the next one's going to be, or even IF we'll see one in the next few years. Let's just leave it to the Nolan brothers et al. and hope that Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman don't die anytime soon.

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this is a blog mostly about comics and videogames
END SPOILER

Batman + Robin doesn't work because it incorporates both a time-consuming exposition/origin story that is generally very campy and disjointed as well as a portrayal of a borderline questionable relationship between a man and boy that is tongue-and-cheek before the opening credits even roll. Don't blame me, don't blame Nolan, hell, don't even blame Chris O'Donnell (just kidding, flame him to death). Sidekicks just struggle to fit altogether in a well-made superhero flick.

Anyway, I'm not totally sold on Riddler. I'm actually all for an unused villain to be introduced to the silver screen. I'm hesitant to mention Clayface because he'd just be Spiderman's Sandman part 2. Again, Killer Croc could work with the correct pairing (although he was already used in conjunction with Scarecrow in Gotham Knight). Mad Hatter is kind of... stupid and irrelevant. The Ventriloquist??? Well, I suppose if we discount all the already-used villains we just start scraping the bottom of the barrel.

And lasz, I actually wouldn't mind seeing less of Morgan Freeman. I mean, he really holds the plot together for Bruce Wayne, but at this point in the development, I think it's time to focus more on Batman and his exploits. And to encourage Freeman's development into Batman's Q (of James bond fame) is to weaken Batman's competency and individuality, in my opinion. Just a random thought, though.

And.

Possible spoilers: highlight to view

For those in the "Harvey Dent survived" camp, I say shenanigans to you. I will agree this much: I would not be surprised if there was some crap pulled to actually keep him alive. Canonically, he SHOULD be alive. HOWEVER. Given the context of the end of Dark Knight, it doesn't make any gosh darn logical sense for him to be alive. How can you expect the police department to have a living Harvey Dent in captivity and hold a fake funeral for him? And then he just escapes to cause more havoc for all the public to see? This would immediately bring the popular downfall of Commissioner Gordon (and the entire PD) as we know it. Strategically, it just doesn't fit.

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I find your lack of faith disturbing...

Quote

My personal vote of impossibility goes to Ras Al Ghul's RETURN in a tale incorporating LAZARUS PITS and, of course, the lovely Talia.

Not sure if that would work without a body and that train did explode...

Quote (painreaver @ 11th August 2008 18:20)

Quote

My personal vote of impossibility goes to Ras Al Ghul's RETURN in a tale incorporating LAZARUS PITS and, of course, the lovely Talia.

Not sure if that would work without a body and that train did explode...

That's the point of the Lazarus Pits. Ras Al-Ghoul has lived for centuries and is, in canon, quite a pain to keep dead. The Lazarus Pits that are tied so deeply with his story are an ancient magic natural to the Earth that have the ability to revive the dead, heal wounds but at the price of madness.

His body would be in terrible condition, yes, but he's come back from much, much worse.

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Okay, but there was a goat!

Here's the thing with the new incarnations of the batman series: they incorporate, and compensate for supernatural acts. Raz Al Ghoul worked as a character because he mislead the new audience, and it was never truly said that he was an immortal, that is his comic book personae, where they went the ninja route of misdirection with him in the movie, and Bruce didn't realize that by saving Ducat, he was actually saving Raz, giving a mystical Raz-didn't-die approach to what could still be a fully mortal man.

And since Talia wasn't in the first one, she's not in the series... cry about it.

The joker is psychotic, but did nothing of a supernatural nature. In fact, the only "supernatural" element in all of the Nolan batman series so far is that Harvey Dent was able to supress the pain in his face enough to function at all. Because of these facts, mystical/magical/couldn't-happen-in-the-real-world characters will, in all probability, not appear in the series. This means (of the above vote list) Clayface is out, Freeze is most likely out, Bane is probably (unfortunately) out, croc is out, and Ivy is out.

They might be able to make Bane work, but as a genius the way he should have been the first time. If he was smart enough to find a way under Batman's skin, he could be smart enough to find a way to make Venom.

The Riddler is a character based on a psycho that uses riddles to confuse and delay his torment-ees. Fully capable of transfer to real-world conditions. (As much as the Joker, anyways.)

Catwoman, aside from the whole, "I've become one with the cats" thing that they had (mostly in Batman Returns), would be probable, and as Rachel Dawes has taken a "leave of absence" in the series, a love interest could keep some romantic Cat-and-Bat heat on screen.

The Penguin had a very interesting and realistic backstory, even in Batman Returns. Essentially an outcast freak that will take it out on everyone else. Sounds like what Batman has essentially turned into through the "Dark Knight" implication, minus the "taking it out on everyone" part. An interesting twist to add were they to make a mirror for Batman to see what he could become from what people did to him.

It's likely that the next movie is going to revolve heavily around Penguin, although I would love to see a Riddler, I don't want to see a Depp Riddler... that's kinda reaching. But from the monetary aspect, you can already hear the Cha-Ching from the Depp fangirls if they popped him in a batman movie.

I suppose it would be a good way to get couples to go see batman.

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Quote (laszlow @ 11th August 2008 13:03)

Look, I'm really biased here.  The Riddler is one of my favorite Batman villains.  When people dismiss him as a good candidate for a villain in any upcoming Batman film I get a little incredulous.  I think he could be awesome.

Totally cool. I understand fandom. I even take back what I said in my last post about never being a fan of the Riddler; I actually did like him in the comics, and also liked 60's Riddler and Jim Carrey's Riddler. But the last two Riddlers I mentioned were very campy and they're the only live action Riddlers I know of. Even the Riddler from the somewhat dark Batman: the Animated Series only appeared for a few episodes before his brain got stuck in some machine.

My other problem with Riddler is that as an opponent of Batman, he's always been physically weak. The same is true of Scarecrow, but they balanced it out with Ra's Al Ghul. Joker is sometimes depicted that way, but at other times is depicted as a ruthless and unpredictable fighter, which is how they depicted him in Dark Knight.

I guess I just don't want to see another "frail" Batman villain pitted against him. I also would hate to see the series become filled with campy comedy, which could happen (even with Depp, who does a lot of "weird comedy" in his acting - Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood, Pirates, Charlie & Chocolate Factory). But then again, this team of filmmakers is really talented and it could turn out to be good. I do think, however, that how well the Riddler works will depend heavily on what villain they pair him with. Maybe someone more physically dominant like Killer Croc or Bane (Bane and Riddler had a good storyline pre-Knightfall).

I seriously think that the storyline is set up perfectly for the entrance of Catwoman, but I'm not sure how well she'd work with the Riddler, and I definitely think cramming more than two villains in a comic book movie can create problems (Spiderman 3, Batman & Robin).

How much is actually known about plans for the next villain anyway? Right now I see a lot of buzz about Depp as Riddler and Phillip Seymour Hoffman as the Penguin, but I can't imagine that's anything close to final given how early it is. Of course, all that hype about Joker turned out to be true, but they explicitly set that up at the end of Batman Begins.

Quote (leilong @ 11th August 2008 18:23)

Here's the thing with the new incarnations of the batman series: they incorporate, and compensate for supernatural acts. Raz Al Ghoul worked as a character because he mislead the new audience, and it was never truly said that he was an immortal, that is his comic book personae, where they went the ninja route of misdirection with him in the movie, and Bruce didn't realize that by saving Ducat, he was actually saving Raz, giving a mystical Raz-didn't-die approach to what could still be a fully mortal man.

And since Talia wasn't in the first one, she's not in the series... cry about it.

The fact that Ras Al Ghul was not the proper Ras Al Ghul, and instead some Ninja bs crap was the primary reason I generally did not think Batman Begins was as amazing as people said it was. Well made, sure, but really tainted some very crucial canonical elements of Batman.

And I wouldn't say they necessary "compensated" for his "supernatural acts". It wasn't like an MMORPG translation... he didn't get increased Regen because of his tie to Lazarus Pits. Ras Al Ghul had very little backstory exposition as a character, and therefore there's a lot of room for bringing him back. The compensation you speak of is merely the writer's decision to combine Ras Al Ghul's character with Henri Ducard from the comics (hence, obviously, his first alias). It was a logical choice, it helped Batman's origin story while remaining condensed, but it doesn't count out the possibility of a future consistency with the Lazarus Pits.

And how can you brush off Talia like that? Talia completes and defines Batman's relationship with Ras Al Ghul. She gives the conflict a deeper and more personal purpose outside of a mere badguy goodguy confrontation. Simply one of the best relationships in all of Batman's storylines. Plus, she was neither alluded to nor purposefully excluded, which also gives room for introduction. Which would actually be perfect, since Ras Al Ghul's return could be emphasized so much more with the entrance of one of Batman's strongest love interests.

That being said, I doubt they would have the guts to go that far into Ras Al Ghul before introducing other classic Batman villains.

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I guess I just don't want to see another "frail" Batman villain pitted against him... Maybe someone more physically dominant like Killer Croc or Bane (Bane and Riddler had a good storyline pre-Knightfall).

Answer:

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Making it more cerebral wouldn't be a bad thing, either. Batman is first and foremost the world's greatest detective, after all.

There's something undeniably wrong about Batman vs. [Physically Strong Villain]. It just doesn't make sense anymore. Batman beats SUPERMAN for goodness sake. B-List physically dependent villains don't really cut it. Bane could be a borderline, as everyone jumps on his bandwagon because he's just "so darn smart", but consider that Batman has gone toe-to-toe Genius/Strength types like Darkseid and come out on top. Bottom line is this: Most strong villains are too stupid, all villains aren't smart enough.

So you really have to tie in a lot of emotional strain to really challenge Batman.

HENCE. Ras Al Ghul Return (never) or Catwoman (probably) is my vote.

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I find your lack of faith disturbing...