The Penguin: All the Batman villains who could cameo as Arkham Asylum plays key role

Watch the trailer for The Penguin

The Penguin is arriving this week on HBO and Sky Atlantic, giving comic book fans an even closer look at the sprawling version of Gotham City established by Matt Reeves’ 2022 blockbuster, The Batman.

Following Oz Cobb aka the Penguin’s (played by Colin Farrell) rise through Gotham’s criminal underworld, the series could introduce more of Batman’s iconic supporting characters.

Plot details are being kept under wraps, but the eight-part drama is confirmed to take place a week after The Riddler’s (Paul Dano) attack on Gotham left much of the city underwater.

It will also see Penguin encountering the children of deceased mob boss Carmine Falcone (John Turturro), including former Arkham Asylum inmate Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti).

With the part-time home for most of the Dark Knight’s most notorious enemies potentially playing a major role in the series, let’s count down some of the villains who could make an appearance over the coming weeks.

Barry Keoghan made a brief appearance as the Joker (Image: WARNER BROS) Joker and the Riddler

Joker and Riddler are two villains who are already confirmed to exist in Matt Reeves’ Batman universe after being introduced in the 2022 film.

After his attack on Gotham, Riddler is imprisoned in Arkham and placed in a cell next to a mysterious inmate with green hair and scars who could only be Bruce Wayne’s most enduring foe.

In one of the last scenes of the film, the pair strike up a friendship, hinting they could team up in a future instalment to cause more chaos around Gotham.

Plus, a deleted scene shared with fans after the movie’s release has confirmed Batman and Joker (Barry Keoghan) have already encountered each other. Could either of them make an appearance in The Penguin?

Cillian Murphy portrayed the Scarecrow in Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy (Image: WARNER BROS ) Scarecrow

Fans have already speculated Jonathan Crane aka the Scarecrow could play a major role in the series in the form of Theo Rossi’s mysterious character Dr Julian Rush.

While he doesn’t share the real name of the fear-obsessed villain from the comics, Reeves’ universe has already set a precedent for changing characters’ names, such as swapping out Riddler’s persona Edward Nygma for Nashton and updating Oswald Cobblepot to Oz Cobb.

Moreover, the mysterious doctor is rumoured to play a key role in parts of the series taking place in Arkham, where Scarecrow’s backstory begins as a psychologist who performs twisted experiments on inmates.

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Gotham needs a new DA after the death of Gil Colson (Image: WARNER BROS) Harvey Dent/Two-Face

A District Attorney-shaped hole was left in the courthouses of Gotham following the death of corrupt lawyer Gil Colson (Peter Sarsgaard).

This could be the perfect opportunity for the franchise to introduce a new, more altruistic DA for the city in Harvey Dent.

Often portrayed as a friend of Bruce Wayne’s, Harvey is later corrupted himself when half his face is scarred by Sal Maroni, who will appear in The Penguin portrayed by Clancy Brown.

While Harvey has not been cast, the series could be the perfect place to introduce him before he potentially plays a huge role in The Batman: Part II.

Someone with the surname Karlo will appear in The Penguin (Image: ROCKSTEADY STUDIOS) Clayface

Batman’s shapeshifting foe has been long-rumoured to appear in The Batman’s sequel, though it’s unclear how the grounded franchise would adapt him.

One of the clearest signs the formidable enemy could be appearing is actress Carmen Ejogo being cast as Eve Karlo in The Penguin.

Eve shares the surname of Basil Karlo, the most well-known character to take up the Clayface mantle. Originally a B-list actor, he takes up a life of crime and later develops shapeshifting abilities after being exposed to a strange protoplasm.

Victor Zsasz is a fan-favourite from the video games with close ties to Penguin (Image: ROCKSTEADY STUDIOS) Victor Zsasz

Psychotic killer Victor Zsasz is instantly recognisable by the tally scars on his body, cut by himself to commemorate each one of his victims.

He’s closely associated with Arkham Asylum thanks to his appearance in the Arkham series of video games, terrorising Batman with a series of phone calls and revealing his tragic backstory, which is closely tied to the Penguin.

Could the new DC Comics series take inspiration from his video game adaptation and make him a key part of the next Gotham City saga?

Harley Quinn has been portrayed by Margot Robbie and Lady Gaga (Image: WARNER BROS ANIMATION) Harley Quinn

Joker’s girlfriend Harley Quinn has, of course, been immortalised on film by Hollywood star Margot Robbie in the Suicide Squad films as well as her own solo movie.

She has also been portrayed by Lady Gaga in the highly anticipated sequel Joker: Folie à Deux opposite Joaquin Phoenix.

Considering she originally began as an Arkham therapist who falls in love with the Clown Prince of Crime, could fans catch a glimpse of her origin story in HBO’s Penguin series?

The Penguin premieres Thursday, September 19 on HBO and Friday, September 20 on Sky Atlantic and NOW.

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The Penguin: All the Batman villains who could cameo as Arkham Asylum plays key role

The Penguin: All the Batman villains who could cameo as Arkham Asylum plays key role

The Penguin: All the Batman villains who could cameo as Arkham Asylum plays key role

The Penguin: All the Batman villains who could cameo as Arkham Asylum plays key role

The Penguin: All the Batman villains who could cameo as Arkham Asylum plays key role