Robert Pattinson is filming Matt Reeves’ The Batman: Part 2 in London, and fresh set pictures are pointing toward two major villains from the source material. The shots feature Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne working his way through a large protest in Gotham City, where banners read “Court of Oligarchs,” “Court of Fouls,” and “Eat the Rich.” Viewers see those banners as a sign that the Court of Owls, a well-known Batman villain group, will be part of the movie.
A masked figure wearing a white mask and a jacket emblazoned with the anarchy symbol is captured in the images, a dead-on copy of the comic book character Anarky. This represents a second major villain reveal, and places Reeves in the role of bringing to the big screen a character who has never been seen there before.
The Protest Scene
The protest scene is the centerpiece of the new photos. Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne is surrounded by a massive crowd of extras, with members of the Gotham City Police Department on either side. The protesters hold signs that reference the city’s ruling class, and the repeated use of “Court” in some of the signs has fans speculating about the Court of Owls.
This secret group of Gotham’s richest citizens governs the city in secret, their influence continuing threads from the first film, where Bruce Wayne wrestled with his family’s standing and the responsibilities he owes to Gotham beyond his role as Batman.
The Court of Owls Theory
The Court of Owls theory has been floating around for a while. Reeves has said that the villain in The Batman: Part 2 has never been shown in a movie before, and that statement has fueled speculation about which classic villains might appear. The signs in the protest scene seem to confirm that the theory is on track.
The signs in the protest scene point to a city that regards its wealthy elite as corrupt and out of touch. Bruce Wayne, as a member of that elite, would naturally draw the anger of the crowd. That is where the Court of Owls fits in.
This version of Bruce Wayne continues threads from the first movie, where he really struggled with his family’s status and the obligations he has to the city beyond his role as Batman.
Anarky Joins the Rogues’ Gallery
Among the images released, there is a masked figure wearing a white mask and a jacket emblazoned with the anarchy symbol. That outfit closely mirrors the appearance of Anarky from the source material. The character’s real identity is Lonnie Machin, a deeply political figure who advocates for the radical destruction of corrupt institutions.
This film looks set to have a large rogues’ gallery if every rumor about The Batman: Part 2 holds up. Anarky has already shown up in Batman: Arkham Origins and on CW’s Arrow. Despite these adaptations, Anarky has never been on the big screen. That fits Reeves’, and the statement there points to him once again.
The Protest Scene as Storytelling
The protest scene carries real weight within the film, and the signs point toward the villains occupying more than a minor role. They are central to the plot. A city that villainizes Wayne while lifting up Batman offers a strong concept, one that would give the film a clear moral center.
The “Eat the Rich” sign stands out as a clear signal of the tension at play. It points to a divide between classes, with those taking part in the protest viewing the wealthy as their adversaries. Given that Bruce Wayne belongs to that same privileged group, he would find himself in an awkward position caught between both sides.
What Comes Next
More photos and videos from London are expected to arrive as the shooting continues. The protest scene appears to be a key part of the production, with the signs pointing toward the villains being more than mere background dressing. They seem to occupy a central role in the narrative.
The movie is still under development, so there is no official confirmation of anything. However, the signs in the images point strongly toward the Court of Owls and Anarky both showing up on screen. The real question is how they will be employed, and whether their inclusion will cohere with the story’s logic.
The Big Picture
What stands out most from these images is Reeves’ clear dedication to adapting classic Batman villains for the big screen. Both the Court of Owls and Anarky come from the comics, and their presence would please fans of the source material.
That Gotham is turning against Wayne while still raising up Batman shows the film is treating its social problems with real weight. The idea gives the picture a clear moral center, and it works as a strong sign of the protest scene’s significance.
Patience is required for the moment. The filming presses forward, and images keep arriving. The whole image of The Batman: Part 2 will come into focus over the months to come, with the villains playing a major role.
The Villains in Order
- The Court of Owls, a secret group of Gotham’s richest citizens governing the city in secret.
- Anarky, a masked figure with a white mask and jacket emblazoned with the anarchy symbol, advocating for the destruction of corrupt institutions.
- Lonnie Machin, the real identity of Anarky, a deeply political figure.
- The Gotham City Police Department, present in the protest scene.
- The protesters holding signs reading “Court of Oligarchs,” “Court of Fouls,” and “Eat the Rich.”
- The signs themselves, which point toward the villains occupying a central role in the narrative.
Both the Court of Owls and Anarky are on their way to the screen, and a protest scene serves as the evidence.
See the video the story is built around at Polygon.
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