The PERFECT Villain for The Batman 2

Exploring the Potential of Clayface in The Batman Universe

In this transcript, the speaker discusses the potential of Clayface as a villain in Matt Reeves's Batman Universe. They argue that Clayface is a perfect Gothic creature that can explore themes of identity and corruption. The speaker also challenges the notion that Batman cannot face villains like Clayface because they only exist in a more fictional world.

The Realism of Batman

• Batman is often regarded as a realistic superhero because he's just a man, but there's nothing realistic about him being a billionaire who wants to help people.

• We should allow our Batman world to exist outside the confines of reality and believe that he can face villains like Clayface or Poison Ivy.

The History of Clayface

• There have been different versions of Clayface throughout comic book history, including Basil Carlo, Sandra Fuller (Lady Clayface), and Matt Hagan.

• The iconic version of the character is Matt Hagan from Batman: The Animated Series, where he becomes addicted to a face cream that allows him to wear different faces and become different people.

Themes and Story Potential

• Clayface is a perfect Gothic creature that can explore themes of identity and what cost wearing a mask can have.

• Bruce neglecting himself in favor of being Batman forces him to come to terms with his duality and embrace both sides - Batman and Bruce Wayne.

The Importance of Duality and Identity in Gotham

This section discusses the importance of duality and identity in Gotham, specifically focusing on the characters of Bruce Wayne and Batman. It also touches on the current state of Gotham and how it is reflected in the struggles of its main players.

Embracing Duality

• Bruce needs to embrace who he is as both Bruce Wayne and Batman.

• Gotham needs a hero with a face someone the public can look up to and be inspired by.

• Bruce can use the duality of Bruce and Batman to shake the public out of apathy.

• Figuring out who Bruce is, is part of refining Batman.

Characters' Struggles with Identity

• Harvey Dent will have to make a choice whether he will uphold his beliefs or if the darkness of the city will consume him.

• Clayface can give Bruce false faith in his ideas of wearing his mask allowing him to sink deeper into the idea that Batman is the only answer to problems facing Gotham when that couldn't be more wrong.

• Wearing a mask is just as harmful as it is helpful.

Current State of Gotham

• All main players are trying to figure out their respective identities while Gotham itself is doing so as well.

• The city longs for change but doesn't quite know how.

• There's Penguin building his own crime syndicate, Mayor Real trying to progress Gotham with actual legislation, and Bruce trying to be this symbol of hope that Gotham doesn't have to be afraid.

The Character of Clayface

This section focuses on the character of Clayface and how he can complement the story about duality and identity in Gotham.

The Role of Clayface

• Clayface can seep into the underbelly of Gotham and corrupt those seen as incorruptible.

• All of this can tie in perfectly to the character of Matt Hagen or Basil Carlo or whatever Clayface version you want to use here.

Clayface Takeover

The speaker discusses how Clayface can take over Gotham by impersonating Bruce Wayne and Batman, and how this can affect the public's perception of both characters.

Impersonating Bruce Wayne

• Clayface can use his power to impersonate Bruce Wayne and gain the trust of the people.

• He can also frame Batman for his actions, turning the public against him.

• This will have negative effects on Batman as the media and public come down hard on Bruce.

Identity Crisis

• The situation forces Bruce to confront the fact that he has neglected himself so much that he doesn't have a discernible personality.

• This highlights an identity crisis that brings to light Bruce's true fears of people not having a hero to look up to.

Matt Hagan's Mental State

The speaker discusses how Matt Hagan's mental state is affected by constantly occupying different personas.

Becoming a Ghost of His Former Self

• Matt Hagan becomes a ghost of his former self through impersonating these people.

• The theatrics of it all can only make his mental state even worse.

• He needs some time to himself to reconnect with the real Matt Hagan.

Ethan Bennett: A New Character in Gotham

The speaker introduces Ethan Bennett, a character from "The Batman" animated show who could be introduced into the Silver Screen version of Gotham.

Introducing Ethan Bennett

• Ethan was a childhood friend of Bruce's who joined the GCPD.

• He can be Bruce's entryway into the world of the already public faces of Gotham.

• Ethan can show us that not all of Gotham is corrupt, at least not yet.

Defying Expectations

• Introducing Harvey Dent and Ethan Bennett could defy our expectations of a Batman story in a sort of bait and switch way.

• What if the corrupted force in Gotham was Ethan, one of the few good cops in Gotham who turned into a creature of rage because of what the city has done to him?

The Potential of Clayface in Batman Part 2

In this section, the speaker discusses the potential of Clayface as a villain in Batman Part 2. They explore how his character can be used to reveal the true face of Gotham and connect with Batman on a personal level.

Using Gothic Horror to Reveal the True Face of Gotham

• The speaker suggests that Kirk Langstrom could be turned into Manbat, allowing us to see through the facade of GCPD and those who have sworn to protect us.

• Creature Feature villains that Batman has fought in comics can show different ugly faces of Gotham.

• This allows us to see the monster inside and bring up brighter sides of Dark Knight's past while exposing Bruce Wayne's mistakes in present.

• Tying Kirk's history into Bruce as well, maybe he was a geneticist at Wayne Enterprises and lost his job because Bruce didn't take time to examine scientific work being done there.

Exploring Clayface's Character

• Ethan becomes Clayface, destroying version we had gotten to know.

• Gotham is a city that thrives on corruption and it shows Ethan that everyone is susceptible to underbelly; no man stays good.

• All this can up stakes for Batman having to fight Clayface because they have such storied past connecting us with villain in way we never could connect with Riddler.

• Speaker suggests showing true face of Gotham by turning people into true monsters, not just allegorically but actually allowing us to see what these people are on inside.

Conclusion

• With a character as malleable as Clayface, the ideas are endless and the speaker is excited to see how Matt Reeves molds this unique slab of a villain into another compelling antagonist.