The series The Penguin He fell in love with both fans and critics, but they missed knowing anything about Batman, which is why Matt Reeves wanted to clarify where the Dark Knight is throughout the series.
A Gotham on the brink of collapse
During a recent interview with Digital spythe director and producer Matt Reeves shed light on what Batman is up to as Oz Cobblepot plots his rise to power. According to Reeves, Batman’s absence has a completely logical explanation.
Reeves explained that the story of Oz takes place immediately after the events of The Batman. “This is a time of great turmoil in the city. It’s literally the week after the events of the film. Much of the city is desperate; The police can’t be everywhere, there is crime everywhere, it’s a very, very dangerous time.”
The event Reeves is referring to is the massive flood caused by the Riddler in the 2022 film’s climax. This disaster has left the city in ruins, with its institutions faltering. Bruce, of course, is doing his best to repair the damage, but even for him, things are too much. Reeves adds, “Batman is out there trying to deal with the consequences of everything that happened, something he kind of blames himself for.”
An apparition almost happened
Although Bruce does not appear in the series, Reeves confessed that a cameo by the hero had been considered. “During the process of writing the season, we discussed many times whether there would be crossovers that felt deserved.” However, after exploring several possibilities, they decided that none of them fit organically.
One of the ideas considered was the meeting between Batman and Vic, Oz’s young and ambitious right-hand man. But, according to Reeves, “this also ended up unbalancing things too much.”
Ultimately, Reeves and his team chose to center the series on Oz’s evolution as a character capable of sustaining his own narrative without depending on Batman’s presence. And, from what fans and critics pointed out, it was the right decision.
An inevitable clash on the horizon
Although the hero does not participate in the events of the seriesthat doesn’t mean their paths won’t cross later. Reeves announced that both characters will eventually clash in one of the future film projects in the universe of The Batman.
For now, fans will have to wait until the premiere of Batman: Part IIscheduled for October 2, 2026to see how the stories of Gotham and its iconic vigilante continue.
The rise of the Penguin and the evolution of the Gotham universe
As the series delves into the life of Oz Cobblepot, fans discover a character more complex and ambitious compared to the simple bully he was. In the series, we see how Oz take advantage of the chaos of Gotham after the flood to consolidate his position as a crime boss. This development enriches the narrative, proving that the Gotham universe doesn’t rely solely on Batman to deliver compelling stories.
Compared to other villains in the DC universe, Reeves’ Penguin has something more realistic and darksimilar to the Joker The Dark Knight. However, unlike the Joker’s nihilistic chaos, Oz is a strategist, someone who searches power through the criminal structure. This makes him unique, highlighting his ability to manipulate and control, which will ultimately make him one of Batman’s greatest enemies in future chapters.
This approach not only strengthens the series, but sets the stage for a city full of independent storieswhere other iconic characters could also shine without the constant need for the Dark Knight’s presence.
The burden of Gotham falls on a single hero
The decision to omit the Dark Knight the series reflects a more focused and bold narrative approach, allowing you to explore other corners of the Gotham universe without the shadow of the Dark Knight. This not only enriches the city’s lore, but also gives secondary characters, like Oz, room to shine in their own light.