Giancarlo Esposito, famed for his chilling performances as Gus Fring in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, as well as Moff Gideon in The Mandalorian, has expressed interest in joining James Gunn’s DC Universe as a Batman villain.
While he has revealed a desire to play Mr. Freeze—last portrayed by Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1997 film Batman & Robin—there are numerous other iconic antagonists he could bring to life from Gotham’s rogues’ gallery.
But which villain would suit him best? Here are the top 10 roles he could play and why he’d be perfect for each.
1. Mr. Freeze (Victor Fries)
Victor Fries, aka Mr. Freeze, is not just an ordinary criminal in Gotham. He is a tragic villain driven by love and loss.
A cryogenics expert turned criminal after a lab accident, his quest to save his terminally ill wife, Nora, leads him down a dark path, making him both sympathetic and ruthless.
With an emotion masked by cold logic, Esposito can effortlessly portray restrained sorrow and controlled ruthlessness that make him perfect for the role.
His signature composed delivery can bring an incredible depth to Freeze, emphasizing not just his villainous traits but also his grief.
Though his version may be different, fans can expect it to be deeply compelling—one that explores the character’s humanity while showcasing his icy menace.
2. Hugo Strange
One of Batman’s cerebral villains, Hugo Strange is a brilliant psychologist who becomes obsessed with the Dark Knight’s identity.
The criminal mastermind often deduces Bruce Wayne’s persona. But compared to his other archnemesis, Hugo attacks Batman on a psychological level rather than with brute force.
With his perfect portrayal as Gus, Esposito’s measured, intellectual style can make Hugo a more dangerous foe.
His calm yet unnerving presence could turn the character into a character who operates from the shadows, quietly unraveling Batman’s mind before making his move.
3. Two-Face (Harvey Dent)
From Gotham’s heroic district attorney, Harvey Dent falls from grace after half of his face is ruined by a horrific acid attack that makes him become the ruthless and conflicted Two-Face.
This results in turning his entire personality revolving around duality, with one side embodying justice while the other is embracing chaos. He also uses a coin flip to make his decisions.
If Esposito ends up playing Two-Face, he can perfectly give justice to his tragic life. He can bring complexity to his conflicting feelings, portraying the pre-disfigurement version as an inspiring but deeply troubled leader.
His ability to seamlessly shift between calm and explosive may make Two-Face one of Esposito’s most gripping performances, bringing a new kind of intensity to the role and making the character’s internal battle even more compelling.
4. Ra’s al Ghul
Ra’s al Ghul is one of Batman’s formidable foes. He is the immortal leader of the League of Assassins and has centuries of wisdom and access to the Lazarus Pit.
The villain seeks to cleanse the world through extreme measures, with a mix of wit and ruthless tactics.
Esposito’s commanding presence and ability to embody intellectual superiority make him a perfect fit for this role.
His gravitas and ability to portray philosophical villains will make Ra’s a more refined and dangerous foe, bringing a charismatic yet menacing presence to the role.
5. The Ventriloquist & Scarface (Arnold Wesker)
If Gotham has an unsettling villain, it is Arnold Wesker, aka The Ventriloquist & Scarface. His eerie duality stems from the contrast between his timid personality and the violent, domineering presence of his puppet, Scarface.
With his talent for psychologically compelling performances, Esposito could seamlessly shift between Arnold’s meekness and Scarface’s ruthless aggression.
If he takes on this role, he’s sure to deliver a chilling and unforgettable portrayal.
6. Professor Pyg (Lazlo Valentin)
A deranged enemy of Batman, Lazlo Valentin or Professor Pyg is widely considered one of the darkest and most disturbing villains in Gotham.
The twisted surgeon is obsessed with the myth of Pigmalion and the notions of physical perfection.
As a troubling foe, Esposito could give Pyg a refined yet terrifying presence by delivering eerie monologues with chilling composure before he finally unleashes his madness.
7. Black Mask (Roman Sionis)
A former business executive and mafia boss, Roman Sionis, aka Black Mask, originally hated Bruce Wayne rather than Batman.
He eventually becomes a mob boss who controls a major part of Gotham’s criminal underworld and leads the Sionis Crime Family.
With his ruthless and sadistic behavior, Esposito can make Black Mask a terrifyingly sophisticated crime lord.
His talent for playing refined yet deadly characters will make this crime boss a calculated kingpin rather than a common gangster.
8. Calendar Man (Julian Day)
Julian Day is known for committing themed crimes that correspond with holidays and significant dates; thus, the name Calendar Man.
The cerebral villain operates like Hannibal Lecter, using his knowledge to manipulate Batman while leaving cryptic clues tied to specific dates.
As an unsettling criminal mastermind who keeps track of Gotham’s events from his cell in Arkham Asylum, the people of Gotham are already afraid of the terror he may bring during the holidays.
Esposito can elevate the character of Calendar Man from a gimmick villain to a true mastermind by portraying him as a patient, calculated manipulator who operates from behind the scenes.
9. Hush (Thomas Elliot)
From a childhood friend of Bruce Wayne, Dr. Thomas “Tommy” Elliot becomes a costumed criminal who targets both his former pal and Batman.
Hush uses manipulation and guile instead of noisy “signatures” when he targets his enemies. He harbors deep hatred for Bruce after his plan to kill his parents failed due to the surgical skills of Bruce’s father, Dr. Thomas Wayne.
If Esposito steps into this role, he could make Hush a cerebral villain. He would no longer be just a brute-force threat, instead focusing on his long-term vendetta against Bruce.
10. Phantasm (Andrea Beaumont)
Several tragedies have changed Andrea “Andi” Beaumont to become the lethal vigilante known as the Phantasm.
Introduced in Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, she is a vengeful assassin who operates in the shadows and crosses paths with Batman while attempting to kill those who wronged her.
Though originally a woman, a new version could be created for Esposito if he ever ended up being part of the DCU.
Esposito could easily make this character more tragic and complex, portraying a mysterious figure from Bruce Wayne’s past with his own moral code.
With Esposito’s ability to portray controlled, calculating, and deeply complex villains, it is easy to see why he can be a perfect candidate to play Batman’s foe.
Whether he ends up portraying Mr. Freeze, Two-Face, or Hugo Strange among others, he will surely be a breath of fresh air in Gotham City.