1. I guess by mentioning the words new and villain will flock this thread with a million ideas from us geeks and nerds. I love how dark and non family friendly this movie was, all the more amazing it has done so well. It's quite a tragedy.
Still, yes, here's my two cents for a new villain: A Riddler who is a brilliant serial killer with tons of class, Dr. Hannibal Lecter smart. Or Phillip Seymour Hoffman as the Penguin. Seriously, no Angelina, too flashy. There, let the geek posting begin...

Posted at 10:50AM on Aug 8th 2008 by Mr.R

2. A dark and truly twisted schizophrenic Catwoman would be amazing as well...one with sex appeal and fragility (that I DO think Michelle Pfeiffer embodied)...might I suggest, in lieu of Angelina, that you guys consider Charlize Theron or even Kristen Bell?

Posted at 11:28AM on Aug 8th 2008 by Shane

3. Gah! I'm tired of hearing about the Penguin in Nolan's Bat Universe. He's already gone on record stating the character is too farfetched and fantastic to be a part of his creation. Plus Cinematical has already covered this.

http://www.cinematical.com/2006/10/14/chris-nolan-says-no-to-the-penguin/

Can we please stop talking about it? Thanks.

Posted at 12:04PM on Aug 8th 2008 by Los

4. I understand that sentiment, but the Penguin is not that far-fetched. He's not the mutant that Tim Burton made him out to be.

In the comics, he's a gangster with a thing for umbrellas and birds.

That can easily be made believable in Nolan's universe or the story he's telling.

Does that mean the Penguin's the next character? Probably not, but with the transition that seems to be hidden beneath the surface from Gotham's mobsters to the freaks, it works well.

I think it works better than the Riddler anyway.

But right now, I'm willing to bet that Nolan could make Crazy Quilt, the Cavalier, Killer Moth or any of the Z-list Bat-foes work — AND I'd pay to see it.

Posted at 1:59PM on Aug 8th 2008 by Thomas Corhern

5. It took me a while to warm up to the look of Ledger's Joker, but I really think they knocked it out of the park with what was on screen.

These just look way too bizarre, especially the one at the top of the story (it looks more like a skull than a clown's face), but I agree if they can turn the Joker that dark, wow.

That opens the door for a lot of different villains.

Posted at 11:24AM on Aug 8th 2008 by Thomas Corhern

6. By the way, Batman caught in the middle of a mob war led by the Penguin and Black Mask I think would work as the freaks finally take over, as what has slowly started to develop through Begins and Dark Knight. Catwoman added in would be great, but not Angelina.

Posted at 11:27AM on Aug 8th 2008 by Thomas Corhern

7. The middle photo looks a bit like Elijah Wood to my eyes...I wonder if he was considered for the part at some point?

Posted at 12:21PM on Aug 8th 2008 by Stephen Fawcus

8. i remember reading somewhere that ledger himself came up with the final make-up, as well as pretty much developed the entire character while the script was being written.

Posted at 2:00PM on Aug 8th 2008 by Jordan M.

9. It has the feel of Ichi the Killer.

Posted at 2:45PM on Aug 8th 2008 by flowers

10. Kristen Bell! zomg! I love her...anyway, Tilda Swinton as Selena Kyle!

Posted at 4:12PM on Aug 8th 2008 by AJ

11. # 1 - Mike Myers.

# 2 - This is probably what they meant when they said
of patterning the Joker along the lines of Sid Vicious,
but this is a blandly derivative - and simple.

# 3 - Different angle. Mike Myers.

Posted at 8:12PM on Aug 8th 2008 by monstermac