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The DC Extended Universe has a busy slate coming up, including the long-awaited HBO Max debut of Zack Snyder’s Justice League. But the big-screen future of the Dark Knight seems siloed off from the DCEU. The Batman star Robert Pattinson will reportedly remain disconnected from the rest of the franchise.

Fans have been mostly left wondering what the 2021 movie will entail. Many are taking matters into their own hands, imagining what writer/director Matt Reeves has in store. Now one fan has devised what a new version of classic Batman villain Mr. Freeze could look like. And the design, as well as the casting, are pitch-perfect.

Giancarlo Esposito visit’s 'The IMDb Show'
Giancarlo Esposito visit’s ‘The IMDb Show’ | Rich Polk/Getty Images for IMDb

Batman has an incredible rogues’ gallery of arch-enemies

While The Batman largely remains a mystery, fans do know it plans to explore classic DC villains. Batman has arguably the greatest collection of foes in comic book history. And Reeves’ movie will bring in several of them, including Catwoman, the Riddler, and the Penguin.

Oftentimes, fans worry too many villains can make a superhero movie feel overstuffed. Such has definitely been the case from time to time. And when that happens, none of the characters gets the time to shine, as was the case in 1997’s Batman & Robin. But The Dark Knight trilogy proved otherwise.

Although plot details are scant, it’s possible — or even likely — that none of these marquee Batman villains is the main threat. Rather, Reeves introduces them as existing menaces to Gotham City. And if he doesn’t insist on trying to make them all the main focus, The Batman could create a compelling, complex Gotham City.

One bit of fan art cast Giancarlo Esposito as Mr. Freeze

One Batman villain who isn’t set to return to theaters anytime soon is Mr. Freeze. The character was previously played on the big screen by Arnold Schwarzenegger in Batman & Robin. And ever since, it seems like filmmakers have given the villain the cold shoulder.

But digital artist ApexForm has taken to Instagram with a fresh idea about how Mr. Freeze could return. ApexForm has cast Giancarlo Esposito as the villain and given him a comics-accurate costume. In fact, Esposito’s look here feels like it jumped right out of Batman: The Animated Series.

Best known by many as Gus Fring on Breaking Bad, Esposito has become known for playing mysterious figures. In 2019, he took on the role of Moff Gideon in The Mandalorian Season 1. And the darksaber-wielding baddie is expected to have a major presence in season 2.

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‘The Batman’ Composer Michael Giacchino Says the Movie ‘Feels Fresh,’ Has ‘Total Freedom’

Will Mr. Freeze appear in a sequel to ‘The Batman’?

Of course, The Batman feels like it’s so far sticking to more grounded villains. Although their origins have sometimes involved fantastical elements, the trio of main baddies in Reeves’ movie isn’t implicitly supernatural. The origin of Mr. Freeze requires a much greater suspension of disbelief. So will The Batman series consider bringing the character in? 

Batman Begins pinpoints the “escalation” of over-the-top Gotham villains. By that rationale, it’s entirely possible Reeves could bring other well-known foes into the sequel. His movie is reportedly the first in a trilogy after all. And rumors are swirling that the Joker will pop up in sequels. Perhaps then a new Mr. Freeze is inevitable, and Esposito would be a great choice.

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