Disappointing Update for The Batman Arkham Asylum Spinoff

The success of Matt Reeves’ The Batman has inspired plans to further expand his vision of Gotham with a direct sequel and the upcoming Max spinoff series, The Penguin. However, one of the previously announced spinoffs appears to be shelved, as development of the planned Arkham Asylum series has reportedly been halted.

It was reported on Friday that the in-development Arkham Asylum series for Max is no longer moving forward. The report did not provide any direct reasons for this decision according to Variety.

The series was intended to be the third spinoff within Matt Reeves’ Batman universe, alongside The Penguin and a planned Gotham PD series. It aimed to offer audiences a deeper look into Gotham City’s infamous psychiatric hospital for the criminally insane. Director, writer, and producer Anthony Campos was slated to serve as the lead writer and showrunner. Reeves had previously hinted that the series would focus on several of Batman’s villains, including Clayface and Scarecrow.

It is also not clear how much input, if any, DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran had in the decision to halt the series’ development. Though they have been generally supportive of Reeves’ vision for Batman, Gunn has previously stated that the studio retains final say on what projects move forward.

In addition to the Arkham Asylum series, a planned series centered on the Gotham PD is seemingly up in the air as well. There have been no meaningful updates on its progress since December 2023.

The Gotham PD series was rumoured to take place during Batman’s first year on the streets and focus on a police department rife with corruption. Early reports in 2022 suggested that the series would center on one corrupt officer. Warner and DC were believed to have wanted the show to focus on more established characters from the comics. A social media post from Gunn in December 2023 stated that the series was still in development, though no further updates have been provided since.

It is also not confirmed if Jeffrey Wright, who portrayed Jim Gordon in The Batman, would appear in the planned series.

The Penguin is set to premiere on Max in September 2024, starring Colin Farrell as the titular crime lord, a character he first portrayed in The Batman.

Set shortly after the events of the film, The Penguin will follow Oswald Cobblepot as he attempts to exploit the power vacuum left by Carmine Falcone’s death to seize control for himself. Cobblepot’s ambitions will put him at odds with Sofia Falcone, Carmine’s daughter, as she tries to maintain her family’s influence over Gotham City.

Regarding The Batman’s big screen future, Matt Reeves is working on The Batman: Part 2, which is scheduled to hit theaters in October 2026. Robert Pattinson is expected to return as the titular hero, joined by several key cast members from the first film, though no specific names have been confirmed. The identity of the sequel’s villain remains unknown, with characters such as Hush, Clayface, and the Court of Owls being rumored.

The Penguin is scheduled to premiere on Max on September 8, 2024.