The Unseen Villain: How the Penguin Almost Shaped the DCEU
The 2020 film Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) was a significant step in expanding the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). Focused on Margot Robbie’s portrayal of Harley Quinn, the movie introduced several new characters to the DCEU, including Black Canary, Huntress, Renee Montoya, and Cassandra Cain. Set in Gotham City, the film offered a fresh perspective on the city’s criminal underworld, featuring the villain Black Mask, played by Ewan McGregor. However, there was an alternate version of the story—one that would have included a different antagonist.
According to Margot Robbie, the original plan for Birds of Prey was to feature the Penguin as the main villain. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly promoting her latest film, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, Robbie shared this revelation alongside Colin Farrell, who currently plays the Penguin in the DCEU. During the conversation, Robbie surprised Farrell by revealing that the Penguin was part of the first draft of the script before Matt Reeves, the director of The Batman, requested the change.
Robbie described the Penguin’s role in the initial version of the film as “amazing.” Farrell then asked if she still had the original script and if he could read it. Regarding the shift in direction, Robbie explained:
“The first draft that Christina [Hodson] wrote of Birds of Prey, the villain was the Penguin. And then [director/writer] Matt Reeves said, ‘Don’t use the Penguin. I’m going to use him in my thing,’ and so we swapped it to Black Mask.”
The Impact of the Penguin’s Absence
This revelation highlights how the DCEU’s development is often shaped by overlapping projects and creative decisions. The Penguin, one of Batman’s most iconic villains, has long been a staple of the character’s lore. His absence from Birds of Prey means that his introduction to the DCEU came later through The Batman and the limited series The Penguin.
In the broader context of the DCEU, many of Batman’s classic foes have made appearances or were teased across various films and shows. The Joker (Jared Leto), Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), and Killer Croc (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje) were introduced in Suicide Squad. Meanwhile, Justice League hinted at Deathstroke (Joe Manganiello), who was originally intended to be the main villain in The Batman when it was still part of the DCEU. Both the Riddler and Mad Hatter were mentioned in Peacemaker Season 1, further expanding the universe.
Black Mask’s introduction in Birds of Prey was a major addition to Gotham’s criminal landscape. However, had the Penguin been included instead, the film might have taken a completely different direction. This decision also reflects the strategic planning behind the DCEU’s expansion, ensuring that key characters are introduced in the most fitting way possible.
Development Timeline and Creative Decisions
The timing of the projects played a crucial role in this decision. Christina Hodson began writing the Birds of Prey script in November 2016, while Matt Reeves was hired to write and direct The Batman in February 2017. Although Birds of Prey started development earlier and began filming before Robert Pattinson was cast as Batman, the Penguin’s status as a central figure in the Batman mythos made it more logical to reserve him for The Batman.
Before the pandemic delayed The Batman to 2022, both films were scheduled to release a year apart. This timeline made sense at the time, as it allowed for a clear distinction between the two projects without conflicting portrayals of the Penguin.
A New Era for the Penguin
Despite being absent from Birds of Prey, the Penguin has since found a strong presence in the DCEU. Colin Farrell’s portrayal of the character in The Batman and the limited series The Penguin has brought renewed attention to the villain. This has helped reintroduce the character to a wider audience and generated excitement for his future appearances, particularly in The Batman - Part II.
Meanwhile, Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn remains a beloved figure in the DC universe. As the DCEU continues to evolve, fans hope that her character will eventually cross paths with her own version of the Penguin, creating a dynamic and exciting storyline.
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