The Batman: Liam Neeson Comments on Possible Return as Villain

Warner Bros. Discovery is getting ready to reboot and rebrand their DC Comics franchise, and they hired James Gunn and Peter Safran to take over as co-CEOs of the newly minted DC Studios. Gunn and Safran announced 2-3 years of their Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters slate, and it included projects like Superman: Legacy, The Authority, Swamp Thing, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, and even The Brave and the Bold. The latter of which is set to introduce yet another new Batman, but don’t worry; they have no plans of ending Robert Pattinson’s tenure and the Dark Knight. Gunn and Safran revealed that they do not intend on having both films released around the same time and that they would clearly label The Batman Part II as not a part of the DC Universe but DC Elseworlds. Not much is known about what director Matt Reeves and Pattinson will do next, but the film is set to be released on October 3rd, 2025. Fans have been wondering who could be the film’s next villain and nothing has even been hinted at. Batman Begins star Liam Neeson was recently asked if he’d return as a villain in The Batman universe, and the actor had a pretty interesting reply.

“‘Would I play a villain in the latest reincarnation of Batman?’ No, I’ve already done that in Batman Begins with Christian Bale,” Neeson answered in the video from Men’s Health. “I was Ra’s Al Ghul. He wasn’t really a bad guy. He was trying to reorganize the world as it needs to be organized.”

“No, I wouldn’t and I hear the latest Batman is like 3 hours long. Hello?” The Batman Begins star jokingly added before making a snoring sound.

Gunn and Safran began their jobs as Co-CEO’s of DC Studios last year and it’s safe to say that the future of DC is looking bright. When the duo was announced by the new Warner Bros. Discovery boss, they released a statement on their excitement for the job.

“We’re honored to be the stewards of these DC characters we’ve loved since we were children,” Gunn and Safran added in a joint statement. “We look forward to collaborating with the most talented writers, directors, and actors in the world to create an integrated, multilayered universe that still allows for the individual expression of the artists involved. Our commitment to Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Harley Quinn, and the rest of the DC stable of characters is only equaled by our commitment to the wonder of human possibility these characters represent. We’re excited to invigorate the theatrical experience around the world as we tell some of the biggest, most beautiful, and grandest stories ever told.”

The next DC Studios movie to hit theaters will be Shazam! Fury of the Gods. Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line describe the film as follows: “Bestowed with the powers of the gods, Billy Batson and his fellow foster kids are still learning how to juggle teenage life with having adult Super Hero alter-egos. But when the Daughters of Atlas, a vengeful trio of ancient gods, arrive on Earth in search of the magic stolen from them long ago, Billy—aka Shazam—and his family are thrust into a battle for their superpowers, their lives, and the fate of their world. 

Shazam! Fury of the Gods stars returning cast members Zachary Levi (Thor: Ragnarok) as Shazam; Asher Angel (Andi Mack) as Billy Batson; Jack Dylan Grazer (It Chapter Two) as Freddy Freeman; Adam Brody (Promising Young Woman) as Super Hero Freddy; Ross Butler (Raya and the Last Dragon) as Super Hero Eugene; Meagan Good (Day Shift) as Super Hero Darla; D.J. Cotrona (G.I. Joe: Retaliation) as Super Hero Pedro; Grace Caroline Currey (Annabelle: Creation) as Mary Bromfield / Super Hero Mary; Faithe Herman (This Is Us) as Darla Dudley; Ian Chen (A Dog’s Journey) as Eugene Choi; Jovan Armand (“Second Chances”) as Pedro Pena; Marta Milans (White Lines) as Rosa Vasquez; Cooper Andrews (The Walking Dead) as Victor Vasquez; with Djimon Hounsou (A Quiet Place Part II) as Wizard. Joining the cast are Rachel Zegler (West Side Story), with Lucy Liu (Kung Fu Panda franchise) and Helen Mirren (F9: The Fast Saga).”

The film is being directed by David F. Sandberg (Shazam!, Annabelle: Creation) and produced by Peter Safran. Fury of the Gods was written by Henry Gayden and Chris Morgan. Shazam! Fury of the Gods hits theater on March 17th!

Would you like to see Liam Neeson return ima new Batman movie? Let us know in the comments below or by hitting up our writer @NateBrail on Twitter!