The Batman HBO Max Spinoffs: Penguin, Arkham & More Details
Following the significant success of The Batman, attention has naturally turned towards the next chapter for Robert Pattinson’s portrayal of the Caped Crusader as he navigates Gotham City. However, unlike previous iterations where Batman’s narrative was often confined to interconnected film universes like the so-called DC Extended Universe, a notable part of The Batman‘s future is now unfolding on HBO Max. The streaming platform has shown a strong interest in expanding the DC storyline through long-form series that complement theatrical releases, a strategy also seen with The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker. This is why you’ll find content related to The Batman on HBO Max, showcasing the service’s commitment to this darker take on the DC universe.
HBO Max is also developing its own standalone DC features, evidenced by Batgirl, which exists outside the gritty reality of The Batman. Nevertheless, the streamer is keen on accessing director Matt Reeves’s acclaimed world, and Reeves is actively involved in making that happen.
Since 2020, Reeves has been associated with one or more series intended to spin off from the film. In recent interviews, he has expressed the ambition to “launch this world” through these projects, with numerous ideas in development should the initial reception be positive. Reeves also noted that the television format provides an opportunity to delve much deeper into supporting characters than a feature film allows.
However, much like the Riddler’s complex plans for Gotham, the full scope of Reeves and HBO Max’s strategy remains somewhat fragmented across various interviews, sound bites, and even scenes from The Batman itself. As one of the top movies 2022, its success laid the groundwork for these expansions. Let’s piece together what we currently know about The Batman‘s potential TV spinoffs available or planned for HBO Max. Given the varied and adaptable nature of Batman stories, we’ll also briefly compare these developing plans to the long-running TV show Gotham to highlight the potential fresh perspectives these HBO Max series might offer.
The Untitled Penguin Series
Colin Farrell as Oswald Cobblepot in a promotional image for The Batman spinoff series on HBO Max
Status: Actively being developed for HBO Max, with Colin Farrell already signed to reprise his role and a commitment for a full series.
What We Know So Far: First reported in late 2021, the Penguin series is slated to follow Oswald Cobblepot’s rise from an outsider to a prominent Gotham gangster. Matt Reeves has compared the show’s tone and narrative to Scarface, focusing on an ambitious character’s ascent to power within the criminal underworld before their inevitable downfall. While it might seem like a prequel, speculation suggests Penguin’s journey could align with a “year three” timeline, potentially serving as the most direct continuation of The Batman‘s story until the next feature film. Reeves mentioned in an interview that the series concept emerged while contemplating the “next story” for the Penguin character. Colin Farrell has also pointed out that Cobblepot isn’t fully comfortable with the “Penguin” moniker during the events of The Batman, implying the series will explore his adoption of that identity. The show could also provide insight into Gotham’s evolution from a city dominated by traditional mobsters to one increasingly plagued by costumed supervillains like Penguin, Joker, and Scarecrow. Regardless of the exact timeline, Lauren LeFranc, known for her work on Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., is attached to write the pilot and serve as showrunner. Reeves, along with producing partner Dylan Clark and Colin Farrell, are executive producers. As of early 2022, this is the only spinoff project with a confirmed series order from HBO Max.
Did Gotham do it? Absolutely. While Jim Gordon’s struggle was central, Gotham‘s major subplot chronicled the rise of Robin Lord Taylor’s Oswald Cobblepot from a low-level thug to the “Great Bird of Crime.” That show even featured a Scarface-like arc for him. However, given the significant tonal differences between Gotham and The Batman, and the distinct portrayals by Taylor and Farrell, the HBO Max series is expected to present a more self-assured, arguably self-justifying, version of Cobblepot. His peculiar fascination with Gordon seen in Gotham is also likely to be absent here.
The Untitled Gotham City PD Series
Robert Pattinson as Batman and Jeffrey Wright as James Gordon in a scene from The Batman film
Status: Put on Hold Indefinitely.
What We Know So Far: First announced in July 2020, this series was initially intended to be set during The Batman‘s “year one,” focusing on the rampant corruption within the Gotham City Police Department through the eyes of a single “bad cop” whose belief in justice is rekindled by Batman’s emergence. Terence Winter of Boardwalk Empire was initially slated as showrunner but left in November 2020, replaced by Joe Barton (Giri/Haji). Reeves described the intended show as being akin to Sidney Lumet’s films exploring civic and police corruption, stating the GCPD would be revealed as the city’s most powerful gang. Ultimately, HBO Max reportedly sought a different direction for the project. Reeves explained in a podcast interview that while HBO Max didn’t dislike the core idea, they wanted a series centered on a different kind of character. He added that he still finds the corrupt cop angle compelling and HBO Max might develop its own version of a GCPD series independently, leaving this specific iteration in limbo. Based on these developments, it appears this project is unlikely to move forward in its original form.
Did Gotham do it? To some degree. Both the planned HBO Max series and Gotham center on the GCPD and utilize the department’s systemic issues. However, because Gotham was primarily Jim Gordon’s story, it depicted police corruption as a mix of individual bad actors and an overwhelmed force. Reeves’s concept for the HBO Max show sounded like it would have delved more deeply into systemic corruption as something Gordon (Jeffrey Wright) could not easily dismantle alone.
The Untitled Arkham Series
Paul Dano as the Riddler in confinement at Arkham Asylum in The Batman
Status: Replacing the Gotham City PD project on Matt Reeves’s development slate.
What We Know So Far: As Reeves explained in an interview, the discussions surrounding the Gotham PD project evolved into the concept for this new series, which will focus on the infamous mental institution, Arkham Asylum. The Batman prominently features the long-standing connection between Gotham’s Arkham family and the Wayne family. The Riddler even implies that Martha Wayne had mental illness and that her family used their wealth and influence to conceal it. Reeves’s recent comments suggest the series will explore some of these accusations, potentially featuring younger versions of Thomas and Martha Wayne grappling with their families’ legacies. However, Reeves also described the potential show as being like “a horror movie or a haunted house that is Arkham,” suggesting it could instead be a more contemporary story primarily set within the asylum’s walls.
Did Gotham do it? Yes, Gotham introduced Arkham Asylum early on, with Jim Gordon assigned to guard duty there. This is where he met Dr. Leslie Thompkins (Morena Baccarin), who became a key figure in his life and the show. The asylum remained relevant throughout the series, housing various criminals, experiencing breakouts, and housing the Wayne Enterprises/Court of Owls research facility, Indian Hill, beneath it. A significant difference with the proposed HBO Max series is its potential focus on the Arkham family itself. That said, Gotham did feature a storyline, adapted from the Batman comics’ “Court of Owls,” about a group of Gotham’s elite using their power to secretly control the city – a theme that might resonate with the Arkham family narrative. If the series is set during Thomas and Martha’s youth, it could overlap slightly with the quasi-prequel Pennyworth, although the Arkham show’s tone is expected to be radically different from either Gotham or Pennyworth.
The Untitled Catwoman Series
Zoe Kravitz as Selina Kyle/Catwoman in the 2022 film The Batman
Status: Not yet a fully realized concept.
What We Know So Far: During a press event for The Batman, Matt Reeves mentioned having conversations with HBO Max about a potential series starring Zoë Kravitz as Selina Kyle. Such a project would likely require a separate contract for Kravitz beyond any film appearances. It seems Reeves is deeply invested in expanding this universe, potentially being open to directing, writing, or producing shows centered on various characters from The Batman‘s world.
Did Gotham do it? Absolutely. Selina Kyle, portrayed by Camren Bicondova in Gotham, is one of the first major characters introduced after Bruce Wayne and Jim Gordon. She featured prominently throughout the series, developing an on-again, off-again relationship with Bruce, albeit scaled down to their younger years as they navigated school and the city’s dark underbelly (including that murderous cabal of Gotham’s elite). An HBO Max series focusing on Selina’s life would presumably pick up after her departure at the end of The Batman, perhaps showing her using her skills to target the wealthy in other DC cities. Metropolis, Coast City, or Opal City could certainly offer profitable opportunities, right?
The future of The Batman‘s universe on HBO Max is taking shape, with a confirmed Penguin series leading the way and other concepts like Arkham Asylum still in development. While the GCPD show is on hold, the potential for exploring these characters and corners of Gotham in depth remains strong, offering a compelling expansion for fans of Matt Reeves’s vision.
