Matt Reeves may have hinted at a new villain for Batman: Part 2 in a cryptic post. The Batman sequel is officially in production, filming in the UK, and new faces like Sebastian Stan and Scarlett Johansson have joined the cast. However, one of the biggest questions surrounding the villain in Batman: Part 2 remains the main mystery, and Reeves is fueling the conversation with his latest photo from the set.
Reeves posted a seemingly innocuous photo on social media from the set of Batman: Part 2, featuring a Funko Pop figure of Robert Pattinson's Batman next to a clock reading 8:12 a.m. The director didn't add a caption, and while it may seem like a simple photo promoting the filming of Batman 2, many fans believe the image has a much deeper meaning.
In particular, the clock's 8:12 reading has led many to suspect it's a cryptic allusion to specific Batman comic book issues. The leading theory is that it's a reference to Batman Vol. 2, which collected issues 8 through 12 by Scott Snyder and featured the infamous villain group, the Court of Owls.
«The Court of Owls is a secret society in Gotham City, comprised of the wealthy elite who conduct their affairs through the Talons, an army of undead assassins. The Court of Owls quietly rules the city from the shadows and holds a particular grudge against Batman. The group was introduced in Batman comics as part of The New 52 and quickly became a popular addition to Batman's roster of villains.
Reeves used the Riddler as one of the main antagonists in The Batman, and the film was accompanied by a viral marketing campaign featuring cryptic riddles, hints, and clues. Therefore, hiding secrets for fans on social media like this wouldn't be unusual for Reeves and could be an important clue for understanding some of the characters or the plot of Batman 2.
Given the tone and world of Reeves' Batman universe, a villainous society like the Court of Owls would make perfect sense, and many are hoping that's the direction the sequel's plot will take with its main villain.
The likelihood of this is increased by Reeves' comments that a villain will appear in Batman 2 , "which had never been seen in cinema before.". In this regard, the Court of Owls fits this description, as they were introduced in 2011, and have not appeared in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises or any Batman-related DCEU films in the intervening years. The Court of Owls served as the main antagonist in the Gotham Knights video game and have appeared in the Gotham and Gotham Knights television series, but have not yet been adapted into a full-length Batman feature film.
Further evidence of the Court's inclusion is the film's supposed working title, "Batman: Part 2." »" — "Semper Vigilans", which translates as "Always on the Lookout." This name is strikingly similar to the children's song about the Court of Owls from the comics, where they are described as a group "always watching.".
Batman: Part 2 is scheduled for release on October 1, 2027. Robert Pattinson, Jeffrey Wright, Andy Serkis, and Colin Farrell will reprise their roles, along with new additions Sebastian Stan, Scarlett Johansson, Brian Tyree Henry, and Charles Dance.
Batman: Part 2 may face a new trial.
Batman emphasized the character's detective and noir qualities, resulting in a gripping mystery story with a conspiracy involving the Waynes, the Riddler, and Carmine Falcone. This will likely continue in Batman: The Last Jedi, making a secret society like the Court of Owls a perfect fit.
Investigating the activities of a shadowy organization like the Court would allow Pattinson's Batman to delve even deeper into Gotham's corruption in the sequel, which may now be fully exposed by Falcone's death and the Riddler's actions. The Court would also make a fitting villain for Bruce Wayne, as his status as a wealthy billionaire in Gotham could make him (or his family) a target for this elite group.
Another intriguing post from Reeves that supports this theory concerns Charles Dance's involvement in the film. When Reeves confirmed Dance's involvement in a social media post, the caption read: «"Coming out of the shadows.". Given the Court of Owls' notoriously secretive nature, this could be a subtle hint from Reeves that Dance is playing a member of the Court in the new film.
The identity of the villain in Batman: Part 2 will be a matter of speculation until the first footage or official confirmation emerges, but the evidence is certainly mounting in favor of the Court of Owls.