The Penguin is set to land this week on HBO and Sky Atlantic, offering comic book enthusiasts a more in-depth exploration of the expansive version of Gotham City established by Matt Reeves' 2022 blockbuster, The Batman.
The series will chart the rise of Oz Cobb, also known as the Penguin (played by Colin Farrell), through Gotham's criminal underworld, potentially introducing more of Batman's iconic supporting characters.
While plot specifics are being closely guarded, it's confirmed that the eight-part drama will unfold a week after The Riddler's (Paul Dano) assault on Gotham left much of the city submerged.
The series will also feature Penguin encountering the offspring of late mob boss Carmine Falcone (John Turturro), including former Arkham Asylum inmate Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti).
With the part-time residence for many of the Dark Knight's most infamous foes possibly playing a significant role in the series, let's look at some of the villains who might make an appearance in the coming weeks, reports the Express.
Joker and Riddler are two villains already confirmed to exist in Matt Reeves' Batman universe, having been introduced in the 2022 film.
Following his attack on Gotham, Riddler is incarcerated in Arkham and placed in a cell next to a mysterious inmate with green hair and scars, who can only be Bruce Wayne's most persistent adversary.
In one of the film's final scenes, the pair form a friendship, suggesting they could join forces in a future instalment to wreak more havoc around Gotham.
Moreover, a cut scene shared with fans post-release has confirmed that Batman and Joker (Barry Keoghan) have already crossed paths. Could they possibly make a cameo in The Penguin?
ScarecrowFans are already theorising that Jonathan Crane, also known as the Scarecrow, could be a significant character in the series, potentially embodied by Theo Rossi's enigmatic character Dr Julian Rush.
Although he doesn't bear the real name of the fear-driven villain from the comics, Reeves' universe has already established a trend for altering characters' names, such as changing Riddler's alter ego Edward Nygma to Nashton and updating Oswald Cobblepot to Oz Cobb.
Furthermore, the mysterious doctor is rumoured to play a pivotal role in segments of the series set in Arkham, where Scarecrow's backstory originates as a psychologist conducting twisted experiments on inmates.
Harvey Dent/Two-FaceThe death of corrupt lawyer Gil Colson (Peter Sarsgaard) left a District Attorney-shaped void in Gotham's courthouses.
This could provide the perfect chance for the franchise to introduce a new, more virtuous DA for the city in the form of Harvey Dent.
Often depicted as a friend of Bruce Wayne's, Harvey later becomes corrupted himself when half his face is disfigured by Sal Maroni, who will appear in The Penguin portrayed by Clancy Brown.
While Harvey has not been cast, the series could be the ideal platform to introduce him before he potentially takes on a major role in The Batman: Part II.
ClayfaceThere's been a buzz about Batman's shapeshifting adversary potentially featuring in the sequel to The Batman, though it remains uncertain how this grounded franchise would accommodate him.
Hints of this formidable foe's appearance are evident with actress Carmen Ejogo being cast as Eve Karlo in The Penguin. Eve shares her surname with Basil Karlo, the most recognised character to adopt the Clayface persona.
Initially a B-list actor, he embarks on a life of crime and later acquires shapeshifting abilities after exposure to an unusual protoplasm.
Victor ZsaszVictor Zsasz, the psychotic killer, is easily identifiable by the tally scars on his body, each one a grim reminder of his victims. He's closely linked with Arkham Asylum due to his presence in the Arkham series of video games, where he terrorises Batman with a string of phone calls and unveils his tragic backstory, which is deeply connected to the Penguin.
Could the new DC Comics series draw from his video game adaptation and make him a central figure in the next Gotham City saga?
Harley QuinnOf course, Joker's girlfriend Harley Quinn has been immortalised on screen by Hollywood star Margot Robbie in the Suicide Squad films and her own standalone movie. She has also been depicted by Lady Gaga in the eagerly awaited sequel Joker: Folie a Deux alongside Joaquin Phoenix.
Given her original backstory as an Arkham therapist who falls for the Clown Prince of Crime, could fans possibly see 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.
