Matt Reeves Explains Why Robert Pattinson Won’t Appear In The Penguin

Matt Reeves has put an end to speculation—Robert Pattinson’s Batman will not appear in The Penguin. Scheduled for release on HBO Max on September 19, 2024, the spin-off series continues from The Batman, which debuted in 2022. While Colin Farrell is set to reprise his role as Oswald “Oz” Cobblepot, fans have been eagerly awaiting any sign of Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne making a cameo.

Reeves, the executive producer of the series, said in an interview with Total Film that it will not be the case. “I’m a point-of-view filmmaker,” Reeves said, which means that Pattinson’s Batman will remain in the dark this time around.

“When I’m doing a Batman story, Batman and Bruce is going to be the main point of view. To explore the rogues gallery, they could never get the real estate we can do in a series. So Batman is in this [show] only as a sense that he’s a presence.”

Reeves added, “You’re aware that all of these events began because of the Riddler, but the Riddler doesn’t appear and Batman doesn’t appear.”

When asked if Pattinson would appear as Bruce Wayne, Reeves confirmed that he won’t be in the show. He explained that while the idea was discussed, they ultimately decided to focus on exploring Oswald Cobblepot’s rise to power, making it clear early on that Pattinson’s Batman wouldn’t be part of the story.

When asked if Bruce Wayne would make an appearance, Reeves says they gave it some thought. In The Batman, corruption was revealed when many people were involved in the organization of the Gotham Renewal Program that was set up by Thomas Wayne, Bruce Wayne’s father. Bruce could perhaps have contributed to the reorganisation of Gotham’s criminal underworld.

In The Penguin, Oz Cobb vies for dominance following The Riddler’s deluge that devastated Gotham. He quickly learns, nonetheless, that he will have to deal with Sofia Falcone, played by Cristin Milioti, who was been discharged from Arkham State Hospital.

The Penguin stars Michael Kelly, Clancy Brown, Deirdre O’Connell, Michael Zegen, Theo Rossi and Carmen Ejogo in addition to Farrell.