The Penguin’s Showrunner Gives Us A Sad Reason Why Robert Pattinson’s Batman Isn’t Part Of The DC Show, But It Makes Sense In The Context Of The Batman

The Penguin’s Showrunner Gives Us A Sad Reason Why Robert Pattinson’s Batman Isn’t Part Of The DC Show, But It Makes Sense In The Context Of The Batman

As a seasoned gamer with a lifelong fascination for DC Comics and their cinematic adaptations, I can’t help but feel a mix of anticipation and a touch of melancholy as we approach the release of these intriguing Elseworld projects. The upcoming Joker sequel and Matt Reeves’ Batman saga are definitely on my radar, along with the TV series The Penguin.


As a devoted DC Comics fan, it’s truly exhilarating to be living in this era, with the live-action adaptations of our cherished characters unfolding right before our eyes. The DC Universe (DCU) is brimming with upcoming movies and TV shows, masterfully directed by James Gunn. But that’s not all! The studio also has a collection of Elseworld projects, which aren’t tied to the main continuity, allowing for the individual creative visions of filmmakers like Todd Phillips. His next venture, Joker: Folie a Deux, set to premiere in October, will delve once more into the intricate world of Arthur Fleck, portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix. And let’s not forget Matt Reeves, who is crafting his distinct take on Gotham with The Batman: Part 2, along with the TV series The Penguin, exclusively available for those with a Max subscription.

Prior to the premiere of the eight-episode series on Max, “The Penguin” writer/director Lauren LeFranc discussed exclusively with TopMob about Colin Farrell’s reprisal of Oswald Cobb, a crime lord embroiled in a conflict between the Falcone and Maroni families, with the people of Gotham city unintentionally becoming the casualties. Throughout “The Penguin”, there were instances that hinted at Robert Pattinson’s Batman making an appearance… or perhaps just indicating his presence as he kept tabs on The Penguin, following their encounters in the Matt Reeves film. However, as LeFranc revealed to TopMob, there’s a heartbreaking motive behind Batman’s absence from this unfolding narrative, which she explained to us:

Matt Reeves and I often discussed how authentic his portrayal of Gotham City was, as it’s a vast urban landscape where Batman isn’t constantly present. Instead, the focus is on the city itself and its inhabitants. Moreover, in the movie, it’s clear that Batman doesn’t give much thought to Arkham Asylum (Oz). He considers it insignificant, which is why we didn’t envision Batman as an omnipresent figure watching over everyone. Instead, our primary concern was developing our characters for the series.

The portrayal of Robert Pattinson’s Batman in “The Batman” was challenging due to the complex circumstances at the film’s end. With Gotham City submerged by The Riddler (Paul Dano) and Catwoman (Zoe Kravitz) departing the city, Bruce Wayne saw an opportunity to become a symbol of hope amidst the city’s gloom. In his perspective, Oswald Cobblepot (Oz) is likely just the manager of a shady nightclub, someone who can be influenced through intimidation and compelled to serve Batman’s purposes as needed. As illustrated in this interrogation scene:

We’re in for a long stretch before “The Batman 2” hits the screens, allowing actors such as Barry Keoghan to skillfully sidestep queries regarding their potential role in the next installment. I can hardly wait to find out which villains Matt Reeves chooses to zero in on for the sequel. I’m optimistic that by the time “The Penguin” wraps up its stint on Max, Oz Cobb will certainly command Batman’s notice. Prepare yourself for an intriguing exploration of how and why this happens.

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2024-09-09 17:07