Right before April ended, Matt Reeves announced that he got the green light from Warner Bros. for the sequel to his recent film, The Batman. Along with the famed director, it was also discovered that the whole team behind the blockbuster hit, including Robert Pattinson, is going to come back.

And since this movie is both a critical and box-office hit, it only stands to reason that the follow-up needs to be as compelling as possible. Of course, that can only happen if Reeves gets the antagonist right. While the Joker is the obvious choice, given he had a bonkers deleted scene that left everyone stunned, there are others who can come out as better options.

We take a look down below at which of the Batman's bad guys from his gallery of rogues deserve to be included in the sequel and why.

4 Villains Matt Reeves Must Include In ‘The Batman' Sequel

4. Bane

As Batman races to save Gotham City Mayor-elect Bella Real from a bunch of Riddler-inspired zealots, the Dark Knight finds himself at a disadvantage against his gun-wielding foes. As one of them gets the upper hand against him and Selina Kyle, the caped crusader had no choice but to resort to an experimental drug that momentarily gave him an insane power boost.

For those who didn't see the irony of that moment, the drug Batman used can lay the path for Bane to appear in the sequel. In the comics, the villain is infused with a serum called Venom, one that imbues Bane with epic strength and durability.

As seen in the film, it isn't far-fetched to expect an antagonist of Bane's caliber to make a big screen comeback, especially with a great Easter egg like that green serum Batman used. And with Tom Hardy's past depiction in The Dark Knight Rises, a more accurate version going up against Pattinson's Batman would be very welcome.

3. Hush

During that one scene where Batman learns the truth about his family, a certain reporter with the last name of Elliot was killed by Carmine Falcone. This comes after he discovers Martha Wayne's troubled past, which caused her husband, Thomas, to seek the mob boss' help. Unfortunately, Falcone went too far and killed Elliot, an act Thomas Wayne never agreed to.

The mention of an Elliot, along with a Hush graphic in that scene, certainly alludes to one of Batman's villains during the early 2000s. In a run written by Jeph Loeb and illustrated by Jim Lee, Hush was introduced as the latest in a long line of rogues. What set him apart was the shared history he had with a young Bruce Wayne, the motivation that made him a darker reflection of the billionaire orphan, and how he masterfully used the Batman's major villains to break him.

Hush's grounded concept makes him an ideal candidate for The Batman sequel. In the event Reeves goes for this antagonist, there's a pretty good chance the battle between him and the caped crusader will be a more personal one than ever seen on screen before.

2. The Court of Owls

For as long as anyone can remember, Gotham City has always been a focal point of chaos and injustice. This is clearly depicted in various comic runs over the years, films, and television shows. But while some may think that the city's troubled history is just a series of misfortunate events, there points to a secret organization running everything and one that can make a compelling threat to Reeves and Pattinson's sequel to Batman: The Court of Owls.

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Introduced by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo way back in 2011, the Court of Owls is a cabal composed of Gotham's elite coming together to control the city, an act they have done for centuries. It wasn't until Batman discovered their existence and dealt a major blow to their operations. But even then, the owl mask-wearing antagonists remain hidden and continue to plot from behind the scenes, much like what the Illuminati does in today's pop culture.

1. Mr. Freeze

Sometime during the past few months, Reeves came out and surprised everyone with his preferred antagonist for The Batman sequel. For anyone wondering, it's no Joker or Two-Face. It's this guy.

While a lot of fans are expecting old faces that have been used countless times in the past, the potential of Mr. Freeze appearing as the sequel's antagonist looks promising. Beyond the icy gimmick and look, there lies a very complex and compelling character deep within the villainous persona. If Reeves and Pattinson can work together to fully realize Mr. Freeze's story on the big screen, one that's lightyears away from Arnold Schwarzenegger's version, fans would have a Batman film that's unlike any other.

Of course, it would be years before we get to see The Batman sequel in all of its potential glory. Although the wait can be excruciating, fans can settle for upcoming series that feature Collin Farrell's Penguin, the Gotham City Police Department, or Arkham Asylum and its inmates. In any case, the wait will surely be worth it when Reeves and Pattinson make their way to the big screen in the future.