The Batman director Matt Reeves revealed why they chose not to have Batman appear in The Penguin series.
The critically-acclaimed series about Colin Farrell’s Penguin rising to power was a hit. It just recently wrapped up its series finale episode. However some fans were questioning where was the Dark Knight amongst the bloody gang war in the series.
Reeves reminded fans that Batman had plenty of other stuff to worry about in Gotham and was preoccupied while the gang war ensued.
“This was a time of great turmoil in the city, it’s literally the week after what happened [at the end of ‘The Batman’]. 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.”
With so much that occurred in The Penguin it is easy to forget that it takes place not that long after the Riddler blew the dams around Gotham City, causing mass flooding amongst it. It is not a far stretch to assume that Batman is busy with the rescue efforts and helping flood victims. It is also not surprising that the seedy underworld would take advantage of the chaos and assume control over the city.
Matt Reeves on Batman’s Struggles in ‘Part II’
Reeves also teased how Batman will be when we see him again in
The Batman: Part II. He will have a heavy weight on him. The film will focus on how much more difficult being Batman is than what he anticipated.
We were teased about his insecurities and struggles being the protector of Gotham in The Batman. But with Gotham being a disaster zone and the Penguin taking over as the criminal kingpin, Batman is going to have even more crisis of faith. Or in Reeves’ words: “[It’ll be] very hard to be Batman”.
All episodes of The Penguin are now streaming on Max.
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