Colin Farrell’s recent performance in Max’s newly released The Penguin show has garnered significant attention, shifting focus to The Batman director, Matt Reeves, regarding future characters from the famous rogues’ gallery. While Reeves remains circumspect about specific details, he has provided some insights into his vision for upcoming Batman projects.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Reeves described the Batman Epic Crime Saga as a reflection of how dark aspects of the American Dream have corrupted Gotham City. This thematic element is evident in The Penguin, where Oz Cobb’s ascent to power is reminiscent of Tony Montana in Scarface, mingled with the mannerisms of HBO’s Tony Soprano.
Reeves explained to EW, “If you do watch the whole thing, it is an epic narrative and a meditation on the corruption and why Gotham is the way it is. When I talk about the other shows that we’re thinking about doing, what’s exciting is to think about going down another alley that we weren’t able to go down with The Penguin and The Batman.”
The continuation of Reeves’ Batman Epic Crime Saga (BECS) largely depends on the audience’s reception to The Penguin and Warner Bros. Discovery’s strategic decisions regarding DC-centric projects.
Reeves, while reticent about the key characters in his Batman extended universe, did reveal a notable influence that might suggest potential storylines. During his studies at the University of Southern California, his screenwriting professor was none other than Jeph Loeb, the acclaimed comic book writer behind The Long Halloween, Hush, Dark Victory, and Haunted Knight. Reeves credited these works with shaping his approach to directing The Batman.
Commenting on Loeb’s Batman comics, Reeves noted, “I could see that they had such a cinematic sensibility. I could say, ‘You’re doing a Godfather-esque thing, but within the Batman world. I get it.’”
While these influences do not definitively indicate future villains like the Mad Hatter, Scarecrow, Poison Ivy, or Joker, they provide more context than previously available. According to Entertainment Weekly, the script for The Batman II is completed, with filming expected to commence next year.
