Batman is one of the most popular superheroes and fictional characters in the world with roughly over a thousand comic titles and 13 films to his name. The Dark Knight was created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger and first appeared in Detective Comics issue #1 published by DC Comics in 1937.
Batman’s rogues’ gallery has flourished throughout his publication history, filled with many iconic villains that have given the Caped Crusader a rough time; though the Joker is the only Batman villain that’s appeared more than once in a Batman film and has his film. The Joker is, arguably, one of the most intriguing and interesting Batman villains adapted to the big screen; but it’s time to give other Batman villains a shot.
Batman has a ton of mysterious and creepy villains, but none come as close as The Court of Owls. The Court of Owls is one of the most interesting and mysterious Batman villains simply because they’ve been operating behind the scenes before Bruce Wayne dawned the Batman mantle.
The Court of Owls was introduced in Batman Vol. 2 issue #2 written by Scott Synder with art done by Greg Capullo, and they’re an ancient conspiracy that’s controlled Gotham City for centuries.
Using architecture and murder to wield political influence through Gotham, they came about when Bruce Wayne announces that he’s going to rebuild and reshape Gotham City. The Court of Owls sends the Talons: highly trained assassins to murder Bruce Wayne, though Bruce survives. Batman begins his investigation and discovers a secret headquarters under Alan Wayne Trust; to which, he’s attacked and almost blown up by Talons. Visiting the sewers, Batman finds Alan Wayne’s, Bruce’s great-great-grandfather, body and is captured by the Talons and thrown into a labyrinth. Weak and hallucinating, Batman is stabbed by Talon and is presented to The Court of Owls which reveal their identities and order Talon to brutally beat The Dark Knight to death. Mustering all his strength, Batman fights and defeats the Talons, threatening to hunt them down, and manages to escape. Tired of Batman, The Court of Owls unleashes an army of Talons for Batman and the Batman Family to fight.
The best way to incorporate The Court of Owls into a Batman film is by making it a dark, noir and detective-style film similar to what director Matt Reeves is doing with The Batman.
The presence of The Court of Owls should be ominous and mysterious, hiding in the shadows yet controlling any and everything in Gotham. Taking inspiration from Batman: Long Halloween, have Batman be experienced in detective work and be further into his career. Have the film take place during different months and periods, and let The Court of Owls unfold.
Slowly reveal The Court of Owls appearing throughout Gotham City and controlling Gotham through various murders of powerful politicians in Gotham.
The story can be similar to Scott Snyder’s original story, but have Batman struggle to solve the mystery of The Court of Owls to add suspense to one of Batman’s biggest cases. Reveal more family history behind the Waynes and introduce Alan Wayne to be evidence that will help Batman take down The Court of Owls.
I’d love to see The Court of Owls done in The Batman sequel because it would add a lot to Matt Reeves’ Batman universe, having a younger and somewhat experienced Batman tackling The Court of Owls. It would push and break Batman in ways we’ve never seen before on screen, making him question what exactly he’s fighting for.