In the wake of disappointing news, The Batman franchise has the opportunity to remedy its error with its next spinoff. Writer-director Matt Reeves’ The Batman (2022) introduced Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne/Batman in a grim and decaying Gotham City. Delivering gritty realism, interesting characters, and a gripping air of mystery, The Batman successfully launched a new era in DC, which resumed on HBO Max two years later with the spinoff series The Penguin. After first appearing in The Batman, Oswald “Oz” Cobb/the Penguin (Colin Farrell) navigated Gotham’s criminal underworld following Carmine Falcone’s (John Turturro) death, vying for power with crime bosses like Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti) in a brutal and bloody struggle. Up next for Reeves’ franchise is The Batman Part II (2027), which will continue Batman’s crime-solving endeavors and unveil a new villain in Gotham.
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Tragically, Reeves revealed that Milioti will not return to play Sofia in The Batman Part II. Selina Kyle/Catwoman (Zoë Kravitz), Sofia’s half-sister, is currently not among the sequel’s confirmed returnees, calling her involvement into question. Although no spinoffs or sequels set after The Batman Part II have been announced, Reeves has hinted at the possibility of more projects set in The Batman universe. Following The Penguin‘s nine Emmy wins, including Milioti’s Outstanding Lead Actress victory, The Batman franchise needs to capitalize on the show’s ending foreshadowing Sofia and Catwoman’s team-up. Whether in The Penguin Season 2 or an entirely new spinoff, the universe’s next installment after The Batman Part II needs to bring these two amazing characters together.
Sofia Falcone and Catwoman Need to Team Up in The Batman Universe’s Next Spinoff
Forcibly returned to Arkham Asylum after her defeat to Oz in The Penguin‘s final episode, Sofia received a letter from Selina and warmly gazed upon its undisclosed contents. Given the pair’s familial connection, fans have been hoping this means Sofia and Catwoman will soon convene as allies to take down the Penguin or even challenge Batman. Although Selina’s status in The Batman Part II remains unknown, her departure from Gotham at the end of The Batman could sideline her for the film’s sequel. In that case, Sofia’s reception of her letter might prompt Catwoman’s return in a later project.
A spinoff TV series or movie centered on Sofia and Catwoman would be groundbreaking for The Batman universe. As a direct continuation of The Penguin, the hypothetical project promises to draw a similar audience and could reach an equal level of critical acclaim. The duo of Sofia — a D-list comic book character made a fan-favorite by The Penguin — and Catwoman — a longstanding icon of DC comics and movies — is a tantalizing basis for a spinoff. In the comics, Sofia and Catwoman don’t interact much and are depicted as enemies, so The Batman franchise has the opportunity to construct a fresh and engrossing narrative with them.
Milioti and Kravitz would be magnetic on screen together as the fearsome Falcone-turned-Gigante crime family boss and the stealthy cat thief. The Penguin wonderfully established Sofia’s layered personality and tragic backstory of being framed for her father’s murders and cruelly nicknamed the Hangman. Meanwhile, Selina’s moral ambiguity was on full display in The Batman as she worked alongside the titular vigilante. Thus, a future spinoff presents the ideal chance for the franchise to further showcase Catwoman’s villainous side in an epic collaboration with her half-sister. It’s the perfect way to capitalize on The Batman and The Penguin‘s success while merging the two storylines.
Sofia’s absence from The Batman Part II might turn out favorable in the end, and if Catwoman’s next appearance is also put on hold, a potential spinoff revolving around them would prove an even more genius decision on the part of Reeves and DC. It’s better to return both characters in a separate project rather than stuffing them into a movie where they don’t fit. Even though the Penguin will return in The Batman Part II, the film’s pivot toward a new villain suggests there wasn’t room in the script for a Sofia-Catwoman alliance. DC would be remiss to tease Sofia and Catwoman’s team-up without intending to make it a reality, so those fervently anticipating a spinoff should have faith.
After The Penguin’s Success, Spinoffs Could Define The Batman Franchise’s Future
Right now, The Batman Part II is DC’s most anticipated project outside of the DC Universe, and fans are eager to see how Pattinson’s Batman continues his story. Nonetheless, spinoffs could be more important to the franchise’s future than most people think. Bruce Wayne won’t likely stray from the center of The Batman universe’s overarching narrative, but The Penguin solidified that the Caped Crusader doesn’t have to show up or even be mentioned for a project to captivate audiences.
It’s concerning that no projects following The Batman Part II have been announced because the franchise will need to rely on spinoffs to increase its longevity and distinguish itself in the crowded superhero genre. The Batman universe has already triumphed beyond expectations after just two installments, and if the sequel lives up to the hype, any number of ensuing spinoffs can elevate it to legendary status.
Reeves’ corner of the DC world boasts so many interesting characters, and Sofia and Catwoman rank among the most compelling personalities at the filmmaker’s disposal. Planning The Batman franchise has been slower than anticipated, with The Batman Part II facing numerous delays and The Penguin Season 2 and other spinoffs in limbo. Still, Reeves’ DC Elseworlds universe will greatly benefit from a richer world and extended supporting character arcs in spinoffs after The Batman Part II.
The Batman Part II is scheduled to open in theaters on October 1, 2027.
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