Though the on-screen DC universe is going through an even more tumultuous time with the scorched-earth approach of the Warner Bros. Discovery merger, it seems the studio is still doubling down on the success of Matt Reeves’ budding The Batman universe with sequels and spinoffs. The upcoming HBO Max limited series The Penguin is on the way with Colin Farrell back under the impressive prosthetics and is likely the next project to release in this cinematic universe.
However, an Arkham Asylum-themed show is also in early development, with fans largely excited over the direction this world can go. Fans on Reddit have been discussing and speculating what can come from these spinoffs, like the introductions of characters like Hugo Strange and Harvey Dent/Two-Face, as well as a Catwoman solo venture.
Penguin Rising Through The Ranks Before The Batman
Even in The Batman, it was clear that Oswald Cobblepot was still largely seen as a higher-ranking foot soldier in Carmine Falcone’s greater organized crime ring. He had his corner with the Iceberg Lounge and 44 Below, but the Penguin was still in his proto stages. And while HBO Max’s The Penguin may take place in the aftermath of Riddler’s (not fully realized) scheme, it could show Cobblepot fighting to make a name of himself via flashbacks.
Redditor MyNewRoleplayAccount commented how they’d “be excited to see his climb up the ranks in Gotham’s organized crime families prior to Batman’s appearance.” Considering that Penguin was far from his greatest potential in the movie, this could be a good way to flesh out his character in this universe.
A Solo Catwoman Theatrical Spinoff
Catwoman is arguably one of the most iconic antiheroes in DC Comics history, and she’s undoubtedly Batman’s most popular love interest as well. Zoë Kravitz’s rendition of Selina Kyle/Catwoman in The Batman was an excellent balance of providing an exciting dynamic with Batman as well as a compelling character in her own right. However, there’s been surprisingly little note going around about a possible Catwoman solo spinoff.
Redditor ItzSilentStorm noted that they’d like to see it happen, but also said they “still think Catwoman should have a theatrical movie tbh. Not a series for streaming.” Most of The Batman spinoffs are focusing on TV, but Catwoman is debatably a character that could hold her own at the theatrical box office — especially after Kravitz’s performance.
Exploring The Machinations Of Gotham’s Criminal Underworld
It’s safe to assume that The Penguin will hone in on the bleak criminal underworld of Gotham City from the perspective of one of its bigger participants, especially with Falcone’s death leaving behind a power vacuum. And though Farrell’s performance was widely praised, some are skeptical about the concept of having a show with him in the lead role.
However, Redditors like clowncasket suggest, “It could serve more purpose than just giving us more Ozzy,” and how “We could see more of Batman’s grounded rogue gallery and Gotham.” Many of Batman’s most infamous rogues are intrinsically tied to the world of organized crime, and The Penguin could be a way to expand upon the underworld’s dark machinations.
Flesh Out A Proper Bat-Family
Christopher Nolan masterfully resuscitated Batman’s image in the live-action theatrical space with The Dark Knight trilogy. However, even as revered as those movies are as satisfying overarching stories, longtime fans are still itching for a proper Bat-family — namely Robin.
Reeves’ may be going for a grounded world dripping with a crime-noir atmosphere, but the filmmaker’s respect for the source material shouldn’t rule out a blossoming Bat-family. Redditor sillyadam94 was thrilled over the prospect, exclaiming “Give us the Rogues Gallery! Give us the Bat-Family! I want it all!” The idea of a grounded Dick Grayson and beyond being introduced in The Batman 2 and spin-off shows isn’t as farfetched as others might think.
Harvey Dent Introduced As D.A. In The Penguin
Two-Face is one of Batman’s greatest villains from the comics, and even though director Christopher Nolan and actor Aaron Eckhart’s portrayal of the tragic character was superb in The Dark Knight, many fans feel a new take would feel right at home in Reeves’ universe. In The Batman, one of the Riddler’s victims was the corrupt district attorney Gil Coleson, leaving another political power vacuum.
Naturally, that led fans like Redditor clowncasket to theorize “Since this takes place after the events of the film we could see Harvey Dent take over as D.A.” While it would be great to see as many fresh villains get adapted, these spinoffs could allow for plenty of room to develop them, and this plot point looks like too convenient of an opportunity to pass up.
Arkham Asylum Loosely Adapting Grant Morrison’s Comic
Grant Morrison has made his stamp in DC Comics history as one of the best Batman writers in the character’s pantheon of creative talent. And, in the ’80s, Morrison paired up with artist Dave McKean for Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth. The comic book was a surreal blend of photorealism, paintings, and psychological horror as the Dark Knight ventured through the asylum to quell a riot.
Given what’s been described for the in-development Arkham TV show, fans like Redditor CIN726 expectedly want “them to do a loose adaptation of the Jeremiah Arkham storyline from ASHOSE” for how it “Plays into the concept of Arkham as this sort of haunted house.” Considering that The Batman had a few scenes at the Arkham Asylum but didn’t go into the depths of the facility, this inspiration from the comics could serve as an opportunity to do just that. And the haunted house approach would fit naturally into this universe’s dark and gothic tone.
Mindhunter Being Used As Inspiration For Arkham
The deleted scene from The Batman revealed what this canon’s dynamic between the Batman and Joker looks like. It’s clear that Reeves was influenced by The Long Halloween and — by extension — Jonathan Demme’s acclaimed psychological-thriller The Silence of the Lambs.
But in the case of the development of the Arkham series, Redditor geek_of_nature thinks, “They could do some Mindhunter stuff as well.” They elaborate on the premise, saying, “Gordon could assign a team to interview various Arkham inmates to build criminal profiles to help them against any future threats to Gotham.” This take would be intriguing as viewers would get a better sense of the character’s psychology and learn about their motivations in ways that make their character arc compelling.
Hugo Strange Introduced As An Arkham Psychiatrist
Though he’s thankfully seen something of a resurgence in mainstream popularity, thanks to Rocksteady’s lauded Arkham City video game, Dr. Hugo Strange is arguably still one of Batman’s most underrated villains. Redditor CommonBorn5940 believes that “This Arkham show is ideal for introducing Hugo Strange.” Strange is a corrupt psychiatrist, but not in the same way as the likes of Scarecrow.
He’s a man obsessed with the idea of Batman and the psychology that drives him because Strange thinks he can succeed him in his own warped way. But whether Robert Pattinson’s Dark Knight appears in the Arkham show or not, having him be an ominous figure in the show alongside its inmates is a tantalizing idea.
Joker/Riddler Dynamic As Arkham Inmates
Perhaps, the most popular prediction of characters to appear in the Arkham HBO Max series is regarding Riddler and the Joker. Barry Keoghan’s take on the Clown Prince of Crime was teased in the movie and the aforementioned deleted scene as an apprehended inmate, and it would be an exciting change of pace to see Paul Dano’s Riddler make another appearance.
Redditor geek_of_nature also noted how they’d like to see lesser-known villains but also added they could be punctuated and “balanced out with some more well-known ones, including Riddler and Joker who we know are already in there.” Seeing their twisted relationship (and possible butting of heads) would make for an engrossing central conflict.
One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest Influence
With the setting being a horrifically-run mental hospital, director Miloš Forman’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest would be another fascinating source of inspiration for Arkham Asylum. Redditor AxolotlArtThings listed it in their post as a noteworthy external influence for the upcoming show.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest could be thematically relevant as well since the Jack Nicholson-led 1975 film serves as a harrowing metaphor behind the cynical attitude about mental health. Gotham’s asylum is notorious for being a disastrously-run institution thanks to the city’s dirty politics, so using the inmates and/or villains as a point of view would make for an interesting narrative structure.
