Colin Farrell’s Penguin Could Cross Over Into James Gunn’s DCU, According to New Rumor
Colin Farrell’s take on the Penguin has become one of the most celebrated villain performances in recent superhero history. He first played Oz Cobb in Matt Reeves’ ‘The Batman’ alongside Robert Pattinson, then led HBO’s spinoff series ‘The Penguin’, both part of what’s been branded as “The Batman Epic Crime Saga.” That world has always existed in its own continuity, separate from James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Universe.
Gunn has been clear about that line in the past. He has repeatedly stated that Pattinson’s Batman will not carry over into the interconnected DCU, even as fans have speculated about potential crossovers. Even ‘Clayface’, which Reeves produced, sits in the DCU and remains separate from the world of ‘The Batman’ and ‘The Penguin’.
Now, a new rumor is suggesting that line could blur. According to reports circulating online, Gunn is said to be considering bringing Farrell’s Penguin from Reeves’ universe into the DCU, with Oswald Cobblepot potentially appearing in ‘The Brave and the Bold’, the film set to introduce the DCU’s new Batman.
It’s important to stress that this remains unconfirmed. DC Studios hasn’t commented on the report, Gunn hasn’t addressed it publicly, and no casting for ‘The Brave and the Bold’ has been announced, so fans should treat it as speculation for now.
The film was first announced in January 2023 as part of the DCU’s Chapter One slate. It’s set to follow Batman and his son, Damian Wayne, drawing from Grant Morrison’s comic run and kicking off the Bat-Family in the new universe. Andy Muschietti, who directed ‘The Flash’, has been attached to direct since June 2023, while Christina Hodson was reported to be writing the script in January.
The project has faced its share of uncertainty. Muschietti previously said the film had been postponed a bit while he worked on a science fiction project, and recent reports claimed it was on hold during the Warner Bros. and Paramount merger. Gunn pushed back on Threads, insisting the project was in no way on hold.
James Gunn is reportedly considering bringing Colin Farrell’s Penguin from Matt Reeves’ ‘The Batman’ universe into the DCU. According to the reports, Oswald “Oz” Cobblepot could potentially appear in ‘The Brave and the Bold,’ which will introduce the DCU’s new Batman. https://t.co/nuD8EzMuoA
— WurldOnFilm (@_wurldonfilm) October 23, 2026
Any crossover would also have to navigate Reeves’ own plans. ‘The Batman Part II’ is set for release in 2028, with Farrell returning as the Penguin, and Gunn has said he doesn’t want 2 Batman films competing in the same year. Some outlets believe that pushes ‘The Brave and the Bold’ to 2029 at the earliest.
Gunn has also shot down Batman-related rumors before. When insider Daniel Richtman claimed Gunn was prioritizing ‘The Batman’ trilogy to delay the DCU’s version, the DC Studios co-CEO called the report incorrect.
Farrell’s connection to DC goes beyond The Penguin. He was previously reported to be in negotiations to play the title role in ‘Sgt. Rock’, a DCU film from director Luca Guadagnino, a casting that some fans found confusing given his existing DC role.
The final trailer for DC’s ‘CLAYFACE’ has been released. In theaters on October 23. https://t.co/ecTMB97Sto
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) September 24, 2026
Meanwhile, the future of the Penguin on television is unclear. Farrell has said there’s currently no second season of ‘The Penguin’ in the works, though he remains part of Reeves’ upcoming Batman films.
If the rumor turns out to be true, it would mark a major shift in how DC Studios treats its separate continuities. Gunn has previously admitted he’s contemplated bringing Pattinson’s Batman into the DCU, but nothing official has ever come from those comments.
For now, the idea of Farrell’s Penguin crossing paths with the DCU’s new Dark Knight remains an intriguing possibility rather than a confirmed plan. Until DC Studios says otherwise, fans will have to keep the Penguin firmly in Reeves’ Gotham.
Would you want Colin Farrell’s Penguin to appear in The Brave and the Bold?
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