DC Fans Finally Know the Real Reason Batman Wasn’t In The Penguin

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In the final episode of “The Penguin,” as Oz Cobb dances with Eve in his penthouse, the iconic Bat Signal illuminates the night sky over Gotham City, symbolizing that the vigilante known as the Dark Knight is still active and ready to bring criminals like Oz to justice. However, unlike previous iterations of the story, Batman himself does not physically appear in “The Penguin.” Although the series mainly revolves around Oz’s climb through Gotham’s criminal underworld and his interactions with Sofia Gigante, it wouldn’t have been surprising for the renowned detective to look into some of the illegal activities taking place. Yet, there’s a significant explanation for why Batman never made an appearance in the series.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, showrunner Lauren LeFranc of ‘The Penguin’ series shared why Batman wasn’t featured in the show. LeFranc chose to avoid integrating him into the storyline to ensure that the focus remained on Oz’s personal journey. She expressed that it would feel contrived to include Batman merely for the sake of having him appear in the show, stating, “I wanted to create characters so engaging and captivating that viewers wouldn’t yearn to see Batman, despite his popularity and Rob Pattinson’s excellent portrayal as Batman.

LeFranc went on to explain, “We’re viewing things from Oz’s perspective. There’s a power struggle on the streets, much like Gotham has Batman watching from above. However, Oz aspires to reach such heights of power. While we discussed this idea, we chose not to disrupt the story we were telling.

The Penguin Didn’t Need Batman to Tell a Compelling Story

In simpler terms, LeFranc had earlier mentioned why Batman wasn’t included in the series “The Penguin,” stating that Matt Reeves said Batman couldn’t be present everywhere in such a large city. Now, with new comments, LeFranc is revealing the thought process behind this creative decision. Essentially, it was decided that having Batman on the show might divert attention and potentially disrupt the captivating storyline “The Penguin” aimed to tell.

The purpose of “The Penguin” series was primarily to develop and delve deeper into the character of Oz Cobb (Penguin), acting as a bridge for the upcoming “The Batman Part II”. Since Robert Pattinson’s Batman is set to reappear in the sequel, Reeves and LeFranc found it unnecessary to include the Caped Crusader in this series. Instead, they decided to focus entirely on Oz, offering opportunities to explore him more extensively than what could be achieved in movies. In films, Penguin typically plays a single part within a larger ensemble, but the show provides an opportunity for a detailed examination of the character.

It’s challenging to dispute the impressive outcome of The Penguin, which garnered an astounding 24 Emmy nominations, including a recognition in the Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series category. Performances by Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti were widely praised. Introducing Batman might have compromised the success of the series as it could have been perceived as mere fan service, potentially overshadowing the captivating crime drama at the heart of the show. After delving deep into the criminal underworld through the eyes of Oz (and Sofia), the sudden appearance of Batman might have seemed disruptive and threatened to undermine the deeply personal, intimate narrative about one of Gotham’s most infamous villains.

If Reeves carries out his plan, Robert Pattinson’s portrayal of Batman will be expanded into two more films. Despite the acclaim received by The Penguin, there might not be a second season for it. It was crucial (and a wise decision) to keep the focus of the show on Oz, laying the groundwork for his role in The Batman Part II.

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2025-08-21 01:26