Summary
Even though Colin Farrell’sThe Penguinis a series that should be mainly about Oswald Cobblepott’s story and his rise to power, it has been confirmed to be important to Matt Reeves’s universe. In a city as rich with lore as Gotham City, the criminal underworld would be the prime focal point to introduce otherBatmancharacters.
Matt Reeves' Batman Universe is already confirmed to continue withThe Batman Part 2and other supposed spin-offs.The Penguinhas the opportunity to not only expand on Gotham City in its own story but also be the springboard for stories and characters who could continue in this universe.
7Killer Croc
The Ultimate Thug To Support Or Threaten Penguin
While certain versions have taken Waylon Jones, AKA Killer Croc, in fantastical directions, the character’s original concept is a man born with a skin disease,making him a more tragic villain. The more trauma he experiences, the more his skin mutates into a scale-like texture. That is not that out-of-this-world for Matt Reeves' take onBatman’s mythology.
In the comics, Killer Croc is a wrestler-turned-gangster, and that could easily be brought intoThe Penguin. As Oswald Cobblepott is trying to become the kingpin of Gotham City, he would need to build his army with muscle at his side, and a man who can lift people as if they were paperweights and scare the competition with his monstrous appearance would be a great fit for such an army.
6The Court Of Owls
It has been stated thatThe Penguinwill be the bridge betweenThe Batmanand the now-confirmed sequel coming in 2026. That could mean that events or characters established inThe Penguinwill carry over intoThe Batman Part 2, including what could be thenew main villain for the Caped Crusaderto contend with.
Oswald Cobblepott is trying to be in control of Gotham’s criminal element, and such an ambition would put him in the gaze of Gotham City’s true rulers: The Court of Owls. They are a legion of Gotham’s most wealthy and elite that have manipulated the city’s advancement for centuries. The Penguin could surprise viewers by having Oz discover their existence to be true and that his once rich family used to be or still is part of them.
5Victor Zsasz
The Riddler Set The Stage For Other Serial Killers
The Batmanset a gold standard for The Batman Epic Crime Saga in terms of serial killers after The Riddler terrified audiences with his murder methods. It also showed that Matt Reeves has the potential to bringdisturbing villains like Victor Zsaszto life better than Christopher Nolan or the DC Extended Universe did.
Not only does Victor Zsasz brutally murder his victims, but he tallies their deaths on his skin with his blade, keeping scores of his kills before posing the victims like statues. On top of all that, Victor’s origin in becoming a deranged killer is connected heavily to the Penguin in the comics, which could be adapted to show Zsasz as an enemy of both Batman and Oswald.
4Harvey Dent
Gotham Is Going To Need A New District Attorney
Since The Riddler killed off the corrupt District Attorney Gil Colson,Matt Reeves' version of Gotham Cityis now ready to introduce Harvey Dent as a replacement. Oswald will need a person on the right side of the law trying to take him down, and there is no better character than the District Attorney, who is famous for being an honorable soul in a city filled with corruption.
Not only is Harvey Dent famous for being one of Batman’s greatest allies, but introducing him inThe Penguinwould easily pave the way for him to become Two-Face by the end of the series or inThe Batman Part 2. Perhaps, Harvey’s meddling with Penguin’s affairs is what causes him to get acid thrown into his face.
3Black Mask
The Perfect Third Antagonist In A Gang War For Gotham
Sofia Falcone trying to take over where her father Carmine left off inThe Batmanis a logical choice for an antagonist for Oswald. However, Sofia and Penguin would not be the only criminals in Gotham City trying to fill the void left behind by Carmine Falcone. Hence, including Black Mask would be the perfect choice forThe Penguin.
Roman Sionis is a longtime Batman villain who famously dons a black skull-shaped mask to intimidate his foes.After standing out in the DCEU, he would be the perfect third party to go against both Sofia and Oz, since he is a brutal and vicious crime lord with far less patience than Oswald and would likely start a war between the three crime factions in Gotham.
2Catwoman
The Bird And The Cat Have Worked Together Before
Even though the end ofThe Batmanshowed Catwoman saying that she was leaving the city,despite her love for Batman, that doesn’t mean that she did.The Penguincould see her as much as a threat to his new empire as she was to Falcone, and seeing how she technically betrayed both of them to Batman, he may want to hunt her down.
On the flip side, Catwoman’s betrayal of Falcone may have earned Oswald’s respect, and he could hire her to steal something from Sofia Falcone in his desire to eliminate the competition. Catwoman and Penguin made for a famous duo inBatman Returns, and this could be Matt Reeves' way of harking back to that.
1Batman
The Batman Wouldn’t Just Let The Penguin Go
Even though the showrunners have stated that Batman has no role inThe Penguin, it wouldn’t be the first time directors, writers, and actors have lied to keep juicy secrets. It seems unlikely that Oswald Cobblepott would rise to the top of the criminal pyramid without catching Batman’s attention.
While fans would cheer with joy to seeRobert Pattinson appear as Batman, taking on a legion of Penguin’s thugs in an epic action sequence, the showrunners may subvert expectations. Batman may never appear, but Bruce Wayne might appear as the playboy billionaire enjoying a night at the Iceberg Lounge or via the Drifter disguise seen multiple times inThe Batman.
