Yahoo News Batman's absence during The Penguin explained
The Batman spin-off show The Penguin just wrapped up it’s season finale with a sneaky tease to the caped crusader’s return as the famous Bat Signal lit up the Gotham skyline.
However, many fans were left questioning why the iconic DC vigilante was absent throughout the show.
Speaking exclusively to Digital Spy, the HBO crime drama’s executive producer, Matt Reeves, unpacked the dramatic events of The Penguin season finale and revealed why Batman didn’t intervene.
Related: Best streaming services 2024 — including Disney Plus, Netflix, iPlayer and Apple TV+
Reeves, who also directed 2022’s The Batman, detailed how the events of The Penguin directly follow on from the film.
"This was a time of great turmoil in the city, it's literally the week after what happened," Reeves explained. "Much of the city is in desperation, so police can't get everywhere, there's crime everywhere, it's a very, very dangerous time.
"[Batman’s] out there trying to grapple with the aftermath of everything that happened, which to some degree he blames himself for."
Related: The Penguin's showrunner on unexplained significance of Oswald's limp
So, it seems Oz Cobb may have successfully evaded consequences for now while Batman’s been busy attempting to deal with the fallout of Riddler’s explosive plot.
However, now as the new kingpin of Gotham's criminal underworld after dethroning Sofia Falcone, it may not be long before the Dark Knight catches up to him.
Looking ahead to The Batman: Part II, Reeves revealed fans will see the titular hero entering a challenging new phase as he finds it "very hard to be Batman".
Related: Barry Keoghan's Joker teased by The Batman: Part 2's director and Colin Farrell
However, it’s not just the return of Robert Pattinson’s Batman that was teased in The Penguin’s finale.
The closing scenes of the season also hinted at a comeback for Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman, aka Selina Kyle.
Locked up once more in Arkham State Hospital, Sofia received a letter from her half-sister Selina.
Will Catwoman return as an ally or an enemy to Batman? Fan will have to patiently wait to find out as the next movie isn’t set to be released until October 2026.
The Penguin airs on Max in the US, and NOW and Sky Atlantic in the UK.
You Might Also Like
