Spoiler alert! This article contains spoilers for Penguin episodes 1 and 2.
Despite only having one movie and one TV series, Matt Reeves’ The Batman universe boasts a whopping eight villains, most of them originating in DC Comics. Matt Reeves’ vision of Gotham in The Batman is a dark, grim city teetering on the edge of chaos. The new universe is then expanded into The penguinOffering a grounded take on the Caped Crusader’s world, filled with complex villains who are more than just comic book caricatures
In Matt Reeves’ Gotham City, criminals thrive in the shadows, and Batman’s presence is barely enough to keep them in check. The Batman And The penguin Dive deep into the criminal underworld, listing villains who already exist or are likely to emerge in future installments, including DC’s The Batman Part 2. As Gotham’s criminal contingents battle each other for dominance, new villains are emerging and seeking to control the city.
8
The Riddler
Played by Paul Dano
One of the main villains in The BatmanEdward Nashton, aka The Riddler, has been given a terrifying update of his comic book origins. Gone are the bright green suit, cane and bowler hat. Instead, Paul Dano’s Riddler dons a grungy camouflage smock and thick glasses, hiding his face as he terrorizes Gotham. The Riddler’s modus operandi in The Batman is to expose the corrupt elite of Gotham CityBelieving that by discovering their wickedness, he makes the city.
Riddler leaves cryptic clues for Batman, believing that the Dark Knight is working with him. Riddler’s final plan is revealed at the film’s climax, where he successfully floods Gotham by destroying the sea wall. Although Batman partially stops Riddler’s larger conspiracy, the villain achieves a substantial part of his goals, Leading to Gotham being submerged in chaos. After his arrest, Nashton is imprisoned in Arkham Asylum, where he befriends another notable villain – The Joker.
7
The Joker
Played by Barry Keoghan
Although only briefly featured in The BatmanThe Joker’s presence in Reeves’ universe is haunting. Played by Barry Keoghan, this iteration of the Joker appears in a brief, disturbing scene near the end of the film, where he strikes up a conversation with the imprisoned Riddler in Arkham Asylum. Although the scene is brief, the deleted scenes of the film further confirm Joker’s existence in this universe.
In a deleted scene in The BatmanBatman confronts the Joker in Arkham early in the film, suggesting that the two already have a history together. Joker is disfigured, his face twisted in a manner more grotesque than the previous images, Hinting at a more disturbing take on the character. This incarnation appears to have been arrested by Batman sometime before the film’s events, but given his penchant for chaos, it is highly likely that Joker will return in future sequels to wreak havoc on Gotham.
6
The penguin
Played by Colin Farrell
Colin Farrell’s Penguin has been renamed Oswald “Oz” Cobb in The Batman and is both fresh and established. In this universe, Penguin is Not after the feared crime lord he is in the comics. Instead, he’s a low-level gangster, working as a capor in Carmine Falcone’s crime family. Oz is still going strong and runs his own nightclub, the Iceberg Lounge, in the shadows, while Falcone remains in control. Like many comic book iterations, Oz has a pronounced limp and is notably overweight, brought to life with stunning practical effects and makeup.
in The Batmans conclusion, Falcone was killed by the Riddler, leaving a power vacuum in Gotham’s criminal underworld. The Penguin, now free of Falcone’s oversight, sees an opportunity to rise in power, a storyline explored in the spin-off series The penguin. In the series, Oz is shown to be Navigating the treacherous world of Gotham’s organized crimeAttempt to pit the remaining factions against each other to seize control of the city.
5
Victor Aguilar
Played by Rhenzy Feliz
An original character introduced in The penguinVictor “Vic” Aguillar is a young homeless teenager who crosses paths with Oswald Cobblepot. When Oz catches Vic and his friends trying to steal the rims from his car in episode 1, Vic’s life takes a drastic turn. Unlike his friends, who run away, Vic is drawn into Oz’s world after Oswald notices the boy’s stuttering, Perhaps recognizing a kindred spirit in his trouble.
Oz takes Vic under his wing, molding him into a trusted driver and righteous man as Oz begins to tighten his grip on Gotham’s criminal empire. Vic represents the street-level grit and opportunism that defines much of the underworld in Reeves’ Gotham. His character provides insight into how Oz builds his power base from the ground upServe as the audience’s surrogate As Gotham’s criminal underbelly is explored in more detail.
4
The Falcone Crime Family
The Falcone crime family plays a significant role in both The Batman And The penguin. At the center of Gotham’s criminal empire is Carmine Falcone. However, after Falcone’s death at the hands of the Riddler in The Batman, The Falcone family is left in limbo.
Alberto Falcone, Carmine’s son, is introduced in The penguin As his father’s heir apparent, but he was killed early on, leaving a power struggle in the family. Luca Falcone, Carmine’s brother, steps in to take control, but is immediately embroiled in battles for dominance, not only within his family but also with other crime syndicates. Falcone family consigliere Milos Grapa and underboss Johnny Viti are key players in the ongoing conflict, with Viti in particular Become a target for Oz Cobb when he schemes To decorate him for his own gains.
Carmine Falcone
Carmine Falcone, the patriarch of the Falcone crime family, was the biggest figure in Gotham’s organized crime in The Batman. Played by John Turturro in The Batman and Mark Strong in flashbacks in The penguinFalcone was a calculating and powerful mob boss who Controlled much of the city’s underworld. His grip on Gotham was so strong that even the police and political elite were in his pocket, allowing him to operate with impunity.
Falcone’s story is intertwined with the Wayne family, as Thomas Wayne once saved his life after he was shot. However, the connection also taints the vines, and Falcone is implicated in their murder – although this is left ambiguous in the film. Falcone’s criminal empire comes crashing down when he is targeted by the Riddlerwho exposed his corruption and killed him during the climax of The Batman. Falcone’s death leaves Gotham’s underworld in a state of chaos, with various factions fighting for control in his absence.
Sofia Falcone
Carmine Falcone’s daughter, Sofia Falcone, has a more sinister backstory. As in the comics, Sofia is known for her violent tendencies and earns the nickname “Hangman” after killing several women. This Led to her imprisonment in Arkham AsylumScoopering Carmine Falcone’s plan to have Sofia inherit the syndicate. Instead, Sophia’s brother takes a brief leadership. However, after his death, Sophia suffers from PTSD and is consumed by a desire for revenge.
Sofia Falcone is introduced in The penguin With an undefined position in the family but is clearly angling for more power. Her relationship with her father and her imprisonment in Arkham suggests that she is Able to take drastic measures to maintain control over the family’s empire. Her fearsome reputation follows her around Gotham, while her cunning and ruthlessness make her a formidable opponent. Sofia is expected to play a bigger role as the series progresses, potentially taking over the family.
3
Sal Maroni & the Maroni Family
Played by Clancy Brown
Sal Maroni is one of the most prominent crime lords in Gotham, and although he may not appear in The BatmanHis presence is deeply felt. Before the events of the film, Carmine Falcone betrayed MaroniWhich leads to his arrest and the dismantling of his criminal empire. The Maroni family was Gotham’s primary supplier of the drug “Drop,” a narcotic that is still rampant on the streets and is now distributed by the Falcones.
in The penguinMaroney is depicted as continuing to operate from prison, attempting to use Oswald Cobblepot as a pawn in his war against the remaining Falcone crime family. Despite being behind bars, Maroni’s influence looms large, and his Potential release could spell even bigger trouble for Gotham In the future. He is portrayed with menace by legendary comic book actor Clancy Brown.
2
The trigger twins
Played by Charlie and Max Carver
In the comics, the Trigger Twins are notorious mercenaries who operate as a deadly duo in Gotham City. in The BatmanThey are reimagined as bouncers working at the Iceberg Lounge, Penguin’s nightclub. The brothers, while not major players in the film, engage Batman in intense combat sequences during some of the most memorable scenes. Their roles in The penguin have Still to be explored, but their history as mercenaries May mean they will be referred to in more relevant ways In future projects.
1
Gotham’s other gangs
The Burnley Town massive
A minor criminal group mentioned in The penguinThe Burnley Town Massive is one of the many gangs operating in Gotham’s criminal underworld. Although they are not a major threat compared to the larger crime families like the Falcones or Maronis, the gang is a Reminder of the multifaceted nature of Gotham’s criminal ecosystem. In the comics, the Burnley Town Massive is a collection of street gangs led by Abel Crown, and although they’ve only been referenced so far, they could be more of a threat in future series.
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The Odessa gang
Another criminal organization mentioned in The penguinThe Odessa Gang (or Odessa Mob) is a powerful Russian mafia group operating in Gotham City. Although they did not play a significant role in The Batman The universe still, their mention signals that Gotham is filled with competing criminal factions all vying for control of the city’s lucrative underworld. In the comics, the Odessa mob is a dangerous and violent organization known for their ruthlessness, and they Could easily become a more prominent player in future installments.
The Riddler’s followers
During the climax of The BatmanThe Riddler gathers a fanatical group of followers, who try to carry out his plan to assassinate the newly elected mayor. While Batman and Catwoman manage to thwart their efforts, The penguin Confirms That many of the followers are still active in Gotham. The survival of Riddler’s extremist group poses an ongoing threat, as their radical ideals continue to inspire chaos in the city. Whether they regroup or split into smaller cells, the fanatical followers may continue to spread terror within The Batman Movies and The penguin.
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