With so many projects that were set to film in 2020 and 2021 being delayed, there is a huge number of movies pushed to 2022 and beyond, especially when it comes to superhero releases. In the world of projects based on DC Comics, there are several DC movies coming to the big screen in 2022, which means, there are quite a few new characters coming to the screen, specifically villains.

Because a few of the movies, like The Flash, and Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom, are set in the existing DC Extended Universe, some of those characters are staying the same. Fans will see a return of Black Manta to the screen in Aquaman, for example, but with so many other new projects on the way, there are also new villains to get excited about. Some haven’t been on the big screen before, some have already got lots of hype, and some movie audiences might not even be familiar with - yet.

RELATED: Every DC Movie Set To Release In 2022

Karshon (Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom)

Karshon bites a Green Lantern in DC Comics

Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom won’t hit theaters until December of 2022, but it’s already eagerly anticipated by fans. Most of the original cast is returning, but it’s also set to feature a pair of actors in new roles for the movie: Jani Zhao as Stingray and Indya Moore as Karshon. While Stingray appears to be inspired by a DC hero, Karshon is based on a comic book villain.

Traditionally a Green Lantern villain, Karshon has a less than traditional origin story. Instead of a human or alien being coming into power, Karshon was originally a tiger shark. After being exposed to a radioactive explosion, Karshon ended up with a super developed brain and some human features, not unlike King Shark.

Also like King Shark, Karshon is able to survive on land or in water, and has superhuman levels of strength and durability. Interestingly, in the comics, Karshon also has more mentally manipulative power. They can sense fear and create projections of the things someone fears most. Of course, they can also project energy from their forehead, fly, and have those incredibly sharp teeth. It will be interesting to see which abilities the character retains for the movie.

Firefly (Batgirl)

An image of Batgirl along the side of a building as she looks up at Killer-Moth and Firefly in Batgirl: Year One

Technically, Batgirl is going to stream on HBO Max. So far, there don’t appear plans for it to become a big screen feature, but fans can still hope. There’s no official release date, but with Leslie Grace in the title role, the movie is expected to land in late 2022 or in 2023. Brendan Fraser has been cast as Firefly.

While a version of the character has appeared in animation and in live action series Gotham, this would be the first time Firefly was featured in a movie. There have been several different versions of the character in the comics, but the one that clashes with Barbara Gordon is Garfield Lynns. When the character goes rogue after a team-up with another villain, his actions setting fire to organized crime families and the Gotham police alike get Barbara Gordon to become Batgirl just as she’s thinking of giving it up. Fraser has been playing a hero on Doom Patrol, so fans are incredibly excited to see him take on the role of the villain here.

Black Adam (Black Adam)

Dwayne Johnson Black Adam Close

Black Adam was initially included in the script for Shazam when the latter was in development. In fact, Dwayne Johnson was originally attached to the project without knowing if he would play the villain or the hero. When Black Adam was removed from Shazam, Johnson became the star of his own film.

Black Adam is typically an adversary of Shazam in DC Comics. The characters have largely the same magical power set with increased strength, stamina, speed, and more. With the character getting his own solo movie, however, he’s set to be more of an antihero than a cookie cutter villain. He will be interacting with members of the Justice Society of America in the movie with Pierce Brosnan, Noah Centineo, and Aldis Hodge playing Dr. Fate, Atom Smasher, and Hawkman, respectively. Whether or not the characters remain enemies the entire time isn’t yet clear.

New Versions Of Classic Characters (The Batman)

A split image depicts Riddler, Catwoman, and Penguin in the 2022 trailer for The Batman

When The Batman hits theaters in March of 2022 (after multiple delays pushed it from its original 2020 release date), it will bring with it Robert Pattinson in the role of Bruce Wayne, but also several new takes on classic villains fans are already familiar with. They certainly aren’t new, but the movie promises some fresh takes on the trio.

Paul Dano plays The Riddler. The character has been brought to the screen in animation, live action television, and a movie several times over. Each time, the actor taking on the role takes a new approach to the character. The Batman villain is known for crafting intricate puzzles, and of course, riddles, for the Dark Knight to solve as he wants to prove himself smarter than the world’s best detective. Not much of Dano has been revealed in the trailers for the movie so far, leaving fans to speculate just how different his take will be.

Zoe Kravitz is Catwoman. Many actresses have taken on the role of Catwoman. Most recently, she’s been played in live-action by Camren Bicondova for Gotham (which also brought versions of the Riddler and Penguin to life). As one of Batman’s most popular villains, Catwoman has gone through a lot of changes over the years, but she’s still often Bruce Wayne’s love interest in her civilian form, clashing with him when they’re both masked. Just how far into her career as Catwoman she’ll be in The Batman is something fans will have to wait and see.

Colin Farrell is Penguin, and he might be one of the most anticipated villains coming to the big screen in 2022. That’s because Robin Lord Taylor played him in Gotham as a character the audience could root for, and many point to the show as Penguin’s origin story even more than Batman’s. Interest has been piqued as to just how Farrell’s role will be different since he had a drastic transformation for the part, and a spin-off series is already in talks for the Penguin.

One thing’s for sure, DC fans have plenty of villains to look forward to in 2022.

NEXT: Who Is Helen Mirren's Hespera In Shazam: Fury Of The Gods?