After shining in the first film and his own sequel planned for 2024, speculations do not stop growing, Penguin will be the main villain of this second part?
Once upon a time in Gotham, a city haunted by shadows and sinister figures, a familiar but not fully explored character emerges from the darkness. Colin Farrell, under the skin of Oz, better known as the Penguin, gave us a magnetic performance in “The Batman”. Now, rumors and expectations focus on his possible departure as the main villain in “The Batman – Part II.” A surprising turn considering his more supporting role in the first episode.
A renewed and expanded Batman universe
“Batman” marked a before and after in the superhero genre. In the atmosphere and Batman played by Robert Pattinson, Matt Reeves opened a new chapter in the saga. Now, under the new leadership of James Gunn and Peter Safran at DC Studios, the sequel promises to be part of DC’s Elseworlds, separate from the connected DCU universe. With filming slated to begin this year and an October 2025 release, “The Batman – Part II” is already raising expectations.
While some play Hush as the new antagonist, others suggest Clayface or Professor Pig. However, a growing theory suggests that Penguin, who made his mark in the first film, could be the best candidate for the list of villains in the sequel. This saves valuable time introducing not only natural continuity, but a new villainous character.
A villa with its own series
This year’s planned confirmation of Penguin Max’s series of tests reinforces the concept’s central role in the sequel. Set after the events of the first film, this series provides an opportunity to further explore the character before he emerges as the main antagonist.
In “The Batman,” we saw a Riddler reinvented as a serial killer. The Penguin’s inclusion as the main villain in the sequel provides an important contrast, matching Gunn’s Batman saga as a “crime story”.
A bastard with a lot of potential
In the vast pantheon of Batman villains, The Penguin has always stood out. Originating from DC Comics, Oswald Cobblepot is a recurring adversary of the Dark Knight with his famous umbrella and criminal streak. However, his evolution on the big screen is gradual, moving from secondary antagonist to possible central character. This transition not only marks a change in Batman’s narrative, but also a new approach to developing comic book characters on film.
A comparison with other Batman villains, such as the Joker or the Riddler, reveals a key difference: while they get a lot of exposure in cinema, the Penguin rarely appears on screen. The spin-off series and his role in “The Batman – Part II” can mark a before and after in the understanding of the character, giving him a depth and complexity that has not been explored in depth before. This approach could open up new dimensions in the Batman mythology and enrich the superhero genre as a whole.
He stole the show like a penguin
Finally, one cannot ignore the impact of Colin Farrell as the almost unrecognizable Penguin. His performance is not only impressive but also suggests that he has the ability to carry the weight of being the main villain in the upcoming film.
In short, the Batman universe under the leadership of Matt Reeves and the support of the new DC regime seems to be laying the groundwork for The Penguin to play a major role in “The Batman – Part II.” This character evolution not only enriches the narrative, but also offers a new and exciting take on one of the Dark Knight’s most iconic villains.