Robert Pattinson‘s Bruce Wayne may pop up in The Penguin series. However, it seems like Matt Reeves might not be able to get the Wayne enterprises CEO suited up in his vigilante avatar as Batman. A new report indicates Warner Bros. possibly clashing with Disney and Fox due to a legal limbo over the Dark Knight’s TV rights.
UPDATE: James Gunn debunked this theory saying, “The rights issue is not true.”
Even with the expansion of Reevesverse under DCU’s Elseworld headed by James Gunn – it still does not bring DCU fans any closer to The Batman sequel which is at least two years away from falling under the forthcoming release radar. However, since Warner Bros.’ DC Studios have given the green light to explore the planned series for Gotham City’s mob boss Oswald Cobblepot – it has raised hopes for a potential Battinson cameo.
From HBO Max shows like Titans to even The CW’s Arrowverse, The Batman reference has been used on several occasions. But as CBR notes, rumors at the time had suggested the TV producers had included the Dark Knight mentions without approval from the execs in charge at WB. The hurdle stopping DCTV titles from utilizing the caped crusader comes due to 20th Century Fox’s age-old rights over the character.
Fox has held on to Batman rights since producing the 1960’s show featuring Adam West. In fact, it led the network to create the Gotham series which eventually ended the show with one final shot of the Dark Knight, the appearance was only possible since Warner Bros. Television was producing the finale. However, Disney’s merger with Fox may have resulted in the mouse house landing with the Dark Knight’s TV rights.
DCU fans expect The Penguin series to feature the Drifter appearance if not Batman
While the news has disappointed Penguin series fans, it still has many hopeful for Robert Pattinson to appear as The Drifter. for the uninitiated, Bruce Wayne dons a hooded jacket with a face mask to cover his identity whilst still patrolling the streets like a civilian. The vigilante even managed to sneak inside The Penguin’s nightclub, the Iceberg Lounge. Readers can check out reactions below.
Listen as much as it hurts that we most likely won’t get Batman in The Penguin I rather see Rob cameo as Bruce Wayne or The Drifter than not at all pic.twitter.com/T0Cb05KRnK
— sabrina 🦇 (@nightwaynes) March 14, 2023
I am pretty sure Robert Pattinson will appear as Bruce Wayne in THE PENGUIN series on HBO Max. The series finale – calling it now. pic.twitter.com/CXh1b3gPQv
— Jesabel (@JesabelRaay) March 15, 2023
The different personalities so far with Robert Pattinson’s The Batman is Bruce Wayne, Batman, and Drifter. Maybe the 4th will be Matches Malone in The Penguin pic.twitter.com/dSlbC6A8x1
— BLURAYANGEL 🦇 (@blurayangel) March 15, 2023
Well o wanted to see batman but bruce wayne would be interesting choice, maybe doing some charity and philanthropy for the flood also this is a really good opportunity to show matches malone tho https://t.co/euaY92iqgw pic.twitter.com/jQTUFom8HO
— gus 🦇 (@Guslivesagain) March 14, 2023
This does not make any sense.
If Batman's TV rights have been sold to Fox back in 66, and they still belonged to them, that'd still include Batman-adjacent characters like Robin (who appeared in all seasons of Titans) and yes, that'd include Bruce Wayne. https://t.co/hYsZ4tB7eB— "Lee Pace should be Batman" autistic truther. (@WayneG1939) March 15, 2023
bruce wayne supremacy pic.twitter.com/vd89bLiNs7
— gaby (@pattinssn) March 14, 2023
Apparently, Fox made the Adam West Batman show. Disney has since acquired Fox. Disney owns the rights to Batman TV, but I think WB can use Bruce Wayne.
This kinda adds up cuz, correct me if I’m wrong, but I think whenever CW used Batman, he was either dead or as Bruce Wayne. https://t.co/JozFb3k4gG
— SD (Garfield Cultist) (@Spider_Devil7) March 15, 2023
I'm so confused wdym can't be as Batman but can be as Bruce Wayne 😭😭😭 aren't they the same person what is going on😭😭😭 https://t.co/bBJRQCs0E3
— mel✵ (@mattelektrz) March 15, 2023
"However, the TV rights for Batman are caught up in a legal limbo involving Fox, Disney and a trio of mergers. Bruce Wayne can, and often does, appear on TV shows, but Batman in the cape and cowl is almost certainly off-the-table."
bUt dC oWnS bAtMaN #SellSnyderVerseToNetflix https://t.co/mPOpTUTx0o pic.twitter.com/sJkCX89dub
— 𝒮𝘢𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘦 🏳️⚧️ | ꜱɴʏᴅᴇʀQᴜᴇᴇɴ (@SnyderQueen_) March 15, 2023
I think he should appear as Bruce Wayne anyway https://t.co/ZXkMffVrNl
— lw (@dougavatar) March 15, 2023
It's wild how TV and movie rights for the same character can be owned by different companies. https://t.co/YonMuYwFse
— Marshal Commander Cody (@ComCodyCC2224) March 15, 2023
The Penguin series is currently filming in New York City with paparazzi all over the production location capturing several hi-res stills of Colin Farrell as the menacing purple-suited mob boss. So if Pattinson appears on set, it’s likely to leak on social media at some point.
The Penguin series is expected to release on HBO Max sometime in 2024.
