BatmanThe Scarecrow version was released weeks ago, and I only now realized it. At the time of The penguin end of episode 8, I was as excited as anyone for Batman – Part II. The show has done an excellent job of continuing to flesh out the version of Gotham established in Batmanending, while also offering a deeper look at the characters – more appropriately, the villains – of this iteration of the franchise.
From Oz Cobb himself to Sofia Falcone’s Executioner, The penguinDC’s Easter eggs were full of connections to iconic Batman villains. Naturally, this caused many, including myself, to wonder about the story of Batman 2and which elements of The penguin would be included in Matt Reeves’ next film. Now, weeks later The penguininitial air date, I can’t believe I just noticed teases for a potential villain in Batman 2, or beyond.
The Penguin Hid Some Huge Batman Scarecrow Teases in Plain Sight
The penguin Episode 4’s Easter eggs were plentiful, from the inclusion of obscure Batman villain Magpie to the other elements of Arkham Asylum highlighted by Sofia Falcone’s journey. However, the biggest tease of Batman’s major antagonist, Scarecrow, was found outside of Arkham, in the home of Dr. Julian Rush. Rush was introduced in The penguin as Sofia’s main psychiatrist, with many wondering whether the character would become Scarecrow or another Batman villain like Hugo Strange.
Although Rush did not transition into a more well-known Batman character, his office in The penguin episode 4 suggested that Scarecrow would become a reality. When Sofia wakes up in Rush’s office, Rush’s desk can be seen in the background of several photos. On his desk is a large glove with long knives sticking out of it, which is very reminiscent of Scarecrow’s fear toxin gauntlet. this has become synonymous with villain. Next to this glove is a mask, also known to be worn by the Scarecrow.
The Penguin “Red Herring” Explanation Doesn’t Have to Prevent the Scarecrow From Appearing in Batman
Scarecrow may still appear
Naturally, these Easter eggs for the Scarecrow were chosen by attentive viewers from The penguin. Since the show’s finale aired, some people involved in the The penguinThe creation of Julian Rush has been questioned about the glove and mask, with the burning question being whether they were included intentionally to make Julian Rush become the Scarecrow. On Instagram (through CinemaBlend) The penguinThe film’s production designer, Kalina Ivanov, stated that these elements were placed intentionally, but as a red herring.
Ivanov stated that the gloves were open to interpretation, with the public discovering that Balinese sorcerers known for therapeutic experiments such as Julian Rush wore these gloves as a reference to the Balinese demon queen Rangda. Ivanov then insisted that the glove and mask also be included as a red herring, cruelly teasing the audience with the possibility of the Scarecrow. Regardless of this confirmation of the gloves as a misleading Easter egg, it doesn’t mean the Scarecrow can’t appear in the future of Batman franchise.
The Penguin’s Ending Is the Perfect Justification for Julian Rush to Become Batman’s Scarecrow
When all is said and done, this glove in The penguin episode 4 could still be retconned as a way to inspire Julian Rush to become Batman‘s Scarecrow, tied to the character’s ending in the spin-off. From The penguinBy the end of Julian Rush is once again working at Arkham Asylum, just as Scarecrow is known for doing in DC Comics. Likewise, Rush now has a lot of experience exploring his patients’ fears, whether it’s Sofia due to the trauma induced during her time in Arkham or Francis Cobb and the tragic story involving his children.
All of this, combined with Rush’s obvious lack of morality, demonstrated when he joined Sofia’s criminal organization without hesitation, could lead to him becoming Scarecrow in the future. Despite being a red herring, the glove and mask could also return. The real and mentioned interpretation of why gloves were used in The penguin by Ivanov would explain why someone like Rush, a psychiatrist, initially grounded them in historical medicine.
If future projects Batman Turning Rush into Scarecrow, he could begin to use the fear he explored through Sofia and Francis. He could do this by creating gloves and a mask similar to the ones he has in his office, while maintaining The penguinThe props are a red herring while also taking direct inspiration from an iconic Batman villain. If all this comes together, Batman After all, the franchise may well have its Scarecrow, thanks to two elements of The penguin that were hidden in plain sight.
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