HBO / HBO
Director Matt Reeves’The Batmanearned decisive and commercial success in 2022 , and while it ’ll be sometime before the continuation , HBO’sThe Penguinhas been sate that void . Showrunner Lauren LeFranc ( Chuck , Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. ) has done an impressive job of flesh out the character bow of Colin Farrell ’s transformative interpretation of Oswald Cobblepot — and Gotham City with it .
The HBO miniseries feel like an ambitiousBreaking BadandSopranos - like take on Batman ’s sandbox , seemingly set the point for what fans might see in 2026’sThe Batman Part II . While the show undoubtedly bestow layer to “ Oz ’s ” rise as a major role player in the city ’s streets , Cristin Milioti ’s jeopardize Sofia Gigante suggests there ’s more on the horizon for Gotham ’s criminal Hell .
HBO / HBO
Note : The come after article moderate spoiler for HBO’sThe Penguin .
The Kingpin of Gotham City
Despite the limited screen time , Colin Farrell ’s take on the Penguin was magneticin Matt Reeves’The Batman . His operation was transformative more than in the costuming sense , unbelievable as it was , as he injected some welcome dark humour and personality into one of Gotham City ’s grimiest character . While the initial promulgation of the show ’s beingness might have nonplus some hearing , The Penguinis another example of giving fan something they did n’t roll in the hay they wanted .
The Penguindoesn’t vamoose a beat in picking up where Oswald “ Cobb ” left off inThe Batman . With seven of the miniseries ’ eight episodes relinquish , the plot of land gives meaningful brainwave into what the villain ’s part might be in 2026’sThe Batman Part II . Showrunner Lauren LeFranc ’s series angle even more on the offence - noir atmosphere Reeves envisions for this Dark Knight ’s creation , showing how Oz navigates the seedy machinations of Gotham City ’s Hades . The Riddler ’s devastating terrorist attack has turned the city into a devoid - for - all among its organized crime syndicates . But Oz ’s firebrand of cunning seems to try out audiences are in for a Penguin with more power looseness to make inThe Batman Part II . As madly charismatic as Oz was in the 2022 film , the late Carmine Falcone and even Batman and Lt . James Gordon do by him like the butt of a gag .
He ’s far from it in HBO’sThe Penguin , as he ’s already elevated himself from underworld bottom - feeder to a bona fide rabble knob . He ’s revolutionized the drug trade with “ Bliss , ” striking at an incredibly vulnerable Gotham that can only barely distribute power across the city . It ’s hard to believe the metropolis will full recuperate by the timeThe Batman Part IIbegins . This is redolent of the Batman comic leger arcNo Man ’s Land , where a class 7.6 earthquake level the metropolis , and the government fundamentally declare it a lost causal agency .
It leads tothe Caped Crusader’srogues drift wreaking even more havoc and carve out territories for themselves — a situation eerily similar to Matt Reeves ’ universe . Oz has turned into an hush-hush bang in Gotham ’s offense scene literally and figuratively , and while sports fan thirstily anticipate howThe Penguin ’s final two episodes play out , he could well be the city ’s kingpin in the 2026 movie .
On the shoulders of Gigantes
While HBO’The Penguinhas been a rotation for Oz ’s space in the world , what ’s even more impressive is Cristin Milioti ’s personation of Sofia Gigante . The actress ’s public presentation made Carmine Falcone ’s daughter a relentless force out of nature , whelm years of torment in Arkham State Hospital after being framed as the “ Hangman ” consecutive sea wolf and even usurping and disavowing her father ’s side of the crime family . With Sofia even convincing Falcone ’s competitor Salvatore Maroni to unite power in a show of power , the Gigante genus Bos could have a role to play beyondThe Penguin .
With one episode in the HBO miniseries left , rooter will need to hold back for the dust to decide before get a clearer picture of the state of organized crimegoing intoThe Batman Part II . However , it ’s not unreasonable to think the Gigante offense family could be a major underworld player in the 2026 cinema , clashing with Oz ’s unexampled go-ahead .
Serdica sure enough has the willing foot soldiers and a powerful ally in Maroni to support that premise . That ’s take on , of grade , she survives the events ofThe Penguin . Regardless , it ’s an interesting change from the villain ’s amusing al-Qur’an counterpart inDark Victory , where Sofia is revealed to be the Hangman Orcinus orca out for retaliation against Gotham P.D. figures associated with former District Attorney Harvey Dent ( who eventually becomes Two - font ) .
Gotham’s Dark Knight will have his hands full in 2026
Alternatively , Sofia Gigante could influence Gotham ’s criminal Department of State of play indirectly . Should Oz be the last one stand in the sick conflicts to come , the fresh - christened mob political boss could absorb whatever resource the Gigante crime family leave behind . This would see the Penguin fill the power vacuum leave by Carmine Falcone inThe Batman , with all other lesser crime families force to make for by his rules . Even so , it ’s inevitable thatThe Batman Part IIwill sport a new major resister .
Matt Reeves has been touting his Batman canyon as an epic criminal offense saga , leaning on the more noir elements the hero is known for . LeFranc’sThe Penguinemphasizes this further , opening the door for similarly - themed villain from Batman ’s rogues gallery to enter the disturbance . While it would be more exciting to see antagonists with less lively - action presence , Two - Face would seamlessly fit the tone and overarching narrative ofThe Batmanuniverse .
With systemic corruption as a recur root word , a once - promise district attorney falling from state of grace inPart IIisn’t hard to believe . Even the splendidly cruel Roman Sionis , aka the “ Black Mask , ” could be introduced to challenge the underworld hierarchy through a rapidly growing Sionis Crime Family . Whichever new villainous direction Reeves decides to take in the continuation , the events ofThe Penguinand its shifting dynamics will pave the mode for a new breed of organizedcrime for the Dark Knight to tackleinThe Batman Part II .
New episodes of HBO’sThe Penguinpremiere on Sunday nights , and the first seven of eight episode are available to pour now on Max . The Batmanis also swarm , withPart IIreleasing in theaters on October 2 , 2026 .
