‘The Penguin’ Showrunner Confirms Theo Rossi’s Julian Rush is Not Scarecrow

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Showrunner Lauren LeFranc of “The Penguin” has weighed in on the popular fan speculation that Theo Rossi’s character, Dr. Julian Rush, could be a secret version of the Batman villain Scarecrow. In episode 2, titled “Inside Man,” Rush is portrayed as a doctor at Arkham Asylum who develops a strong connection with Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti) before their romantic relationship blossoms. Initially, viewers thought he might be the on-screen version of Hugo Strange from the Batman universe. However, in episode 4, keen-eyed fans spotted what appeared to be a Scarecrow mask and a glove resembling the one worn by the character in the Arkham video game series in Rush’s office, fueling the theory that he could secretly be the villainous Scarecrow.

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I had the privilege of chatting with Lauren LeFranc from Screen Rant at the glamorous Golden Globes. When asked about the popular fan theory that Rush in ‘The Penguin’ series is actually Scarecrow in disguise, she squashed it right away, assuring us he’s not the Scarecrow. This definitive statement firmly establishes Rush as an innovative character exclusive to ‘The Penguin’, with no ties to the expansive Batman universe.

The character known as Scarecrow was initially introduced by writer Bill Finger and artist Bob Kane, debuting in World’s Finest Comics issue 3, which hit the stands in September 1941. His real name is Jonathan Crane, and he worked as a doctor at Arkham Asylum, where he conducted fear-inducing experiments on patients using his self-developed toxin. This made him one of Batman’s most frequently returning adversaries. On screen, Cillian Murphy portrayed Scarecrow in The Dark Knight Trilogy. Initially, Charlie Tahan played a young Jonathan Crane on Gotham, later replaced by David W. Thompson in the role. In the third season of Titans, Vincent Kartheiser took on the role of Scarecrow, portraying him in a manner reminiscent of Hannibal Lecter.

Scarecrow’s Future in ‘The Batman’ Franchise

It’s not far-fetched to imagine Julian Rush as The Penguin’s interpretation of the Scarecrow. Beyond the hints with the mask and glove, Rush’s name seems like a fresh adaptation of Jonathan Crane. In line with Batman’s franchise trend of realistic naming for villains, where The Penguin is now called Oz Cobb and The Riddler is Edward Nashton instead of Oswald Cobblepot and Edward Nygma respectively, Julian Rush fits the pattern. If the Scarecrow’s origins were concealed within The Penguin, it would have made for a surprising twist that added an interesting angle to the villain.

Instead of Rush (the character portrayed by Theo Rossi), who is not like Scarecrow, has left the supervillain spot open in “The Batman – Part II.” Fan theories have been circulating about potential antagonists for the sequel, which was recently pushed back to 2027. Both Batman and The Penguin have made Arkham Asylum a crucial part of their stories, making it seem inevitable that Scarecrow might be involved in some way. Perhaps he could be Rush’s mentor or associate, explaining his scarecrow mask and glove found in his office. There were even rumors of a Scarecrow-focused TV show set within the Batman universe, often assumed to be the cancelled “Arkham Asylum” series. With the new two-year delay for “The Batman – Part II,” there’s a chance these plans could be reconsidered.

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2025-01-06 23:31