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The Penguin showrunner says "we’re in early stages" of another The Batman spinoff, and still "exploring" a Penguin season 2 as HBO seems to be expanding its DC footprint

According to Lauren LeFranc, The Penguin season 2 depends on "whether there’s a story that we can make richer than what we’ve already done"

Sure, everyone thinks of The Batman Epic Crime Saga as a Matt Reeves joint, but it's Lauren LeFranc that brought it into your homes. That's because LeFranc served as both executive producer and showrunner for the Emmy-nominated, Colin Farrell-starring The Penguin, the HBO series that redefined Gotham City for a new generation of viewers. And now, LeFranc is openly talking about bringing more of that world onto your screens in the future.

Speaking with Deadline, the former Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. producer said that she was "in the process of exploring" what a possible Penguin season 2 would look like, though she did clarify that that idea hinged on whether or not there was more of Oz Cobb (Farrell)'s story to tell. 

"Beyond [getting Farrell involved again]," said LeFranc, "it depends on whether there’s a story that we can make richer than what we’ve already done."

In case you need a reminder, that's a bit of a tall order. Not only did the first season of Penguin have a definitive wrapup at the end, but Farrell himself has repeatedly expressed doubts about returning to the role of the titular character. However, there's a whole city outside of what's going on with the villanous Mr. Cobb, and Lauren LeFranc is keeping that in mind, telling Deadline "we’re in early stages" of another Batman spinoff.

Your mind probably just jumped to your favorite member of Batman's rogues gallery, with ideas of how they could star in their own gritty, Penguin-esque spinoff (to all my Man-Bat friend out there, know that you are seen and loved). However, I'd like to remind you that, if another The Batman spinoff is in the works, there's still so much story left to explore in the character of Sofia Gigante/Falcone, whose arc ended in a cliffhanger and whose onscreen presence earned actor Cristin Milioti an Emmy nomination. 

If I was a betting man (and I am, sometimes), I would say that Milioti's name is getting thrown around a lot in the "early stages" talks that Lauren LeFranc is having with HBO right now. But hey, there's always a chance that Paul Dano's people are on those calls as well. (He has, after all, already written a comic book based on The Riddler, so clearly he has more to say about his character than can be contained in just one movie.)

The Batman and Penguin are streaming now on Max. The Batman Part II is currently scheduled for release October 1, 2027.


He is vengeance, he is the night, he is... one of Popverse's favorite subjects. Learn how to do a Dark Knight movie marathon right with our Batman movie guide, and for the true World's Greatest Detectives out there, dive deep into the heart of Gotham City by getting to know Batman with Popverse.

Grant DeArmitt

Grant DeArmitt: Grant DeArmitt (he/him) likes horror, comics, and the unholy union of the two. As Popverse's Staff Writer, he criss-crosses the pop culture landscape bringing you the news and opinions about the big things (and the next big things). In the past, and despite their better judgment, he has written for Nightmare on Film Street and Newsarama. He lives in Brooklyn with his partner, Kingsley, and corgi, Legs.

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