Matt Reeves’ The Batman created one of the most grounded and captivating versions of Gotham City and its Dark Knight ever seen on screen. The Batman – Part II is set to continue that world when it releases in 2027, and we now know how long it will have been since the events of the first movie.
The Batman was first released in 2022, starring Robert Pattinson as the titular Dark Knight, who’s just a couple of years into his crusade. We’ve since seen the release of last year’s The Penguin spin-off series on HBO Max ahead of The Batman – Part II.
Following new reveals from Penguin actor Colin Farrell, here’s what The Batman Part II’s confirmed time jump means for the upcoming sequel and Matt Reeves’ Gotham overall.
The Penguin’s Colin Farrell Recently Confirmed When The Batman – Part II Is Set
During a recent interview with ComicBook.com, Colin Farrell confirmed that The Batman – Part II will be set only “a few weeks” after the ending of The Penguin’s first season.
This is rather significant, confirming that the upcoming sequel will likely be dealing with the fallout of the spin-off series, much like The Penguin was set just one week after Matt Reeves’ first Batman movie.
2024’s eight-episode Penguin series picked up one week following Gotham’s flood in The Batman (caused by Edward Nashton’s Riddler and his followers).
The series revealed how Oswald “Oz” Cobb took advantage of the power vacuum created in the wake of crime boss Carmine Falcone’s death and Oz’s eventual rise as Gotham’s kingpin of crime, seizing control of its criminal underworld while clashing with the Maroni and Falcone crime families (including Carmine’s daughter Sofia).
Likewise, Matt Reeves confirmed that the full Penguin series takes place in the weeks of November and early December, but seemingly ahead of major holidays like Christmas and New Year’s Eve, which may be featured in The Batman – Part II (2022’s The Batman began on Halloween night).
What This Short Time Jump Means For The Batman – Part II
By the time The Batman – Part II begins, it appears Gotham will likely still be reeling from the recent gang war and city-wide chaos that preceded Penguin’s rise to power.
Rather than jumping ahead by months or years, it looks as though Matt Reeves’ version of Gotham will be evolving in real time. As such, one can argue that The Penguin is essential viewing for anyone wanting to fully understand the state of Gotham by the time The Batman – Part II finally hits theaters.
After all, the ending of Penguin season 1 did see the bat signal being lit, a call that the Dark Knight will most likely answer at the start of the upcoming Elseworlds sequel set outside of James Gunn’s larger DC Universe. This shorter time jump also carries further narrative implications, considering how 2022’s The Batman ended.
For example, Selina Kyle’s Catwoman will likely still be gone, having decided to move to the neighboring city of Blüdhaven. While he might not be the main villain, Penguin’s new rise to power will likely play a key role front and center, framing him as Gotham’s newest reigning crime lord whom Batman will have to contend with.
Likewise, the entire landscape of Gotham’s organized crime was drastically shifted in The Penguin, something Robert Pattinson’s Batman will no doubt have to address in the upcoming sequel.
In essence, this shorter time jump very much confirms that all the movies and shows in Matt Reeves’ Gotham will all be part of an epic continuous saga. It also helps create the very clear message which fans of the original Batman comics are all too familiar with: in Gotham City, there’s always another crisis right around the corner.
Will A Penguin Season 2 Still Happen After The Next Batman Movie?
Although Farrell went on to say he doesn’t yet know if The Penguin season 2 is in the cards, the fact that the events of The Batman – Part II will begin so soon after the first season’s ending opens the door for some exciting potential.
If The Penguin season 2 does happen, it could either run parallel to The Batman – Part II or explore the fallout immediately after, much like the first season did with the first Batman movie.
Because of the short time jump, Oz’s throne will still be new, meaning that a second season could easily explore a natural adjustment period where Cobb has to hold onto his newfound power and crown, likely by contending with new rival factions.
On the other hand, if the sequel itself provides a natural conclusion for Cobb’s arc, perhaps we’d then see a pivot in focus with an all-new spin-off series focused on a different member of Batman’s rogues.
Whether a second season happens or not, fans of Matt Reeves’ Gotham should certainly expect The Batman – Part II to feature Oz to a significant degree, especially now that he’s the city’s newest kingpin of crime.
The Batman – Part II releases in theaters on October 1st, 2027
Source: ComicBook.com
