The Batman Franchise Needs a Better Plan for One of Its Best Characters (And DC Knows It)

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DC fans have had mixed feelings about the direction of *The Batman* franchise since the first film came out three years ago, and recent news about the sequel, *The Batman: Part II*, is causing more worry. The 2022 movie was widely praised for its dark and realistic portrayal of Gotham City and a gritty take on Batman (played by Robert Pattinson), with a compelling mystery and strong performances. Two years later, the HBO Max series *The Penguin* explored the criminal side of Gotham through the character of Oswald “Oz” Cobb/the Penguin (Colin Farrell). While the franchise has introduced a lot of interesting characters through the movie and the series, not all of them will be back for *The Batman: Part II* in 2027.

Cristin Milioti’s character, Sofia Falcone, played a key role as a villain in *The Penguin* series, quickly becoming a fan favorite despite ultimately losing to Oz. Interestingly, Milioti won an Emmy for her performance as Sofia on the very same night it was announced she won’t be appearing in *The Batman: Part II*. Director Matt Reeves explained that the script for the sequel was already too developed to incorporate Sofia’s storyline. This came as a surprise to many, who felt Sofia was crucial to the success of *The Penguin*.

Sofia Falcone’s Exclusion From The Batman: Part II Is a Major Disappointment

Sofia Falcone makes a striking debut in *The Penguin*, quickly establishing herself as a standout character in *The Batman* universe. While Oz Cobblepot is the central figure, the series dedicates considerable time to Sofia’s story. After ten years in Arkham Asylum, Carmine Falcone’s daughter emerges as a major force in Gotham’s criminal underworld, rebuilding her father’s empire as the “Gigante” Crime Family – a tribute to her mother, one of Carmine’s seven victims. Initially labeled “The Hangman” by Carmine and Oz after discovering their crimes, Sofia becomes a compelling underdog who poses a serious threat to Oz’s operation.

The recent portrayal of The Penguin delved into Sofia Falcone’s difficult past, revealing her as a complex and compelling character – as interesting as Oz Cobblepot and even Bruce Wayne. While she’s committed terrible acts like murder and kidnapping, it’s easy to sympathize with her, especially when compared to the villainous Oz. Although her return to Arkham seemed like the end of her story, the show hinted at future appearances by having her receive a letter from her half-sister, Selina Kyle (Catwoman). Many fans expected Sofia to be in *The Batman: Part II*, considering Colin Farrell is returning as Oz, making the news that she won’t be involved a disappointment.

It’s possible the story of *The Batman: Part II* doesn’t have room for Sofia’s character, and that’s okay – her story could continue in a future TV series or movie. However, with the sequel still two years away and no news about a second season of *The Penguin* or other spin-offs, it’s concerning that the franchise doesn’t seem to have a clear plan for such a captivating character.

It could be several years before Sofia returns in a Batman film, and that’s a big mistake by director Matt Reeves and DC. The positive reaction to actress Milioti’s portrayal of the character was clearly a surprise, and while planning the future of *The Batman* is complex, Sofia is such a compelling and interesting character that she deserves a more prominent role than being sidelined until DC sorts out its future plans.

Poor Planning Could Spell Danger for The Batman Franchise

The removal of Sofia from *The Batman: Part II* isn’t the only problem that could hurt the future of *The Batman* movies. Even though a sequel was announced quickly after the first film came out, getting *The Batman: Part II* made has been surprisingly difficult, with over five years passing between films. A strong script is crucial for the sequel’s success, but this long delay could cause the series to lose its audience. Plus, overlooking Sofia as a potential character during the writing process is a strange mistake for a franchise that’s aiming to build a connected universe.

It seems the future of DC’s Batman universe is uncertain, lacking a clear plan for development. While there’s a lot of promise in Matt Reeves’ vision, projects are consistently stalled, leaving storylines and character development in limbo. The success of *The Penguin* series presents a great opportunity for the *Batman* films, but unfortunately, they’ve missed the chance to feature its most compelling character on the big screen. *The Batman: Part II* can still be a strong Batman story with other villains and supporting characters alongside Pattinson, but the decision to exclude Sofia Falcone has diminished some of the excitement around the sequel.

The Batman: Part II is scheduled to hit theaters on October 1, 2027.

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2025-09-24 05:10