Matt Reeves' The Batman HBO Max spinoff show focused on Gotham and Arkham Asylum could bring back many characters. Following Ben Affleck's exit from playing Batman in the DC Extended Universe, Reeves' solo movie for the Dark Knight took on a different form. Robert Pattinson became the new Bruce Wayne, who is in the early years of his crime-fighting career during The Batman. Now that audiences have seen the latest Batman reboot, excitement is building for the franchise's future spinoff.

Plans for a prequel series to The Batman that follows the Gotham Central Police Department were first revealed in 2020. The initial plans for Gotham PD said the show would examine Gotham's corruption, including how it has spread to the police department. The Batman Gotham TV show has since evolved into a show built around Arkham Asylum according to Reeves. It is still expected to explore Gotham's corrupt nature in some form, and it is difficult to imagine that happening without some of The Batman characters and cast members returning.

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Due to the changes for The Batman Gotham TV show's focus, it is now unconfirmed if the series will be set before or after Robert Pattinson's solo movie. Still, many characters from the movie could be good fits for the series. Whether the untitled Gotham/Arkham show is set before or after, here are all of The Batman characters who should return.

Jim Gordon

Jim Gordon aiming his pistol in The Batman

It isn't easy to imagine a show based around the Gotham PD happening without at least an appearance by Jim Gordon (Jeffrey Wright). Gordon isn't the Commissioner of the GCPD when The Batman takes place, but the movie leaves the position open for the taking. Having Gordon appear in The Batman Gotham TV show would give the universe more time to explore the character before he becomes the leader of the police and presumably attempts to help clean it up. This could even be a place where Gordon's first interaction with Batman takes place, show how he learned about the Dark Knight, or detail his own experience putting criminals in Arkham. Wright is no stranger to high-profile TV work either after Westworld, so he could be willing to play a larger role on the HBO Max series. Jim Gordon should be one of the safest bets to appear in the show, whether it is a cameo, supporting role, or starring role.

The Joker

Barry Keoghan in Mammal

The Batman's Gotham TV show evolving to focus on Arkham Asylum could mean that this is where Barry Keoghan's Joker will appear. Despite original reports that Keoghan was playing Jim Gordon's partner Stanley Merkel, The Batman's ending revealed he was really the Clown Prince of Crime. This series could explore how and when Joker got to Arkham, while also detailing his relationships with other inmates at Arkham State Hospital. With Matt Reeves already indicating Joker won't be in The Batman 2, having him take on a major role in The Batman's spinoff show would be a smart move to keep him around.

Commissioner Pete Savage

The Batman's Alex Ferns as Pete Savage

One of the changes to Batman's mythology Reeves made with The Batman was introducing Pete Savage as the Commissioner of the GCPD. With this leadership position and The Batman Gotham TV show potentially focusing on the organization Savage leads, it would make perfect sense for him to appear. This could also be a great way to flesh out the character after The Batman, especially considering he was one of Riddler's victims. Alex Ferns can only reprise his role as Pete Savage in the series if it is a prequel or if he only appears in flashbacks, though, but it would be a great opportunity to show how he was involved in Gotham's corruption and what transpires at Arkham.

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Batman

Robert Pattinson saying 'I'm vengeance' in The Batman Trailer At DC FanDome

Just as it would make sense for those involved with the Gotham PD to appear in a show based around them, it would be somewhat surprising if Robert Pattinson's Batman doesn't appear in The Batman's spinoff. With only two years of experience as Gotham's protector, Batman could be a connecting point between the Gotham and Arkham elements of the story. If Batman does appear in The Batman Gotham TV show, it is unlikely that it would be in a major role. Pattinson is expected to play the Dark Knight again in The Batman 2, but he could return for a cameo. This appearance could give audiences a glimpse at his earlier vigilante career or a tease of what he's up to after The Batman depending on when the Gotham/Arkham show takes place.

Riddler

Paul Dano as Riddler in The Batman

Thanks to the Arkham connections The Batman Gotham TV show is now expected to have, it would also make sense for Paul Dano's Riddler to appear. He's one of The Batman characters best positioned to return based on the events of the movie. Riddler is locked up in Arkham next to Joker at the end of the film, showing that he is very much alive and a threat that could pop up again. Depending on how much the spinoff show focuses on the mental institution, Riddler could have a sizable role in the series. At the very least, him sending Gotham into chaos in The Batman's ending could make him a criminal that others locked up in Arkham look up to and paves the way for new threats to rise up after his accomplishments.

The Penguin

Colin Farrell as the Penguin in The Batman

As much as The Batman Gotham TV show could focus on the cops trying to protect the city and those who are dirty, the series' exploration of Gotham's corruption should bring known criminals into the mix. This could be a great opportunity then to involve Colin Farrell's Oswald Cobblepot aka Penguin. He's one of the best The Batman characters in the first film, and Penguin is positioned to take on a larger role in Gotham's criminal landscape moving forward. With HBO Max having confirmed a Penguin spinoff show starring Farrell, it might be redundant to have him also appear in the Gotham/Arkham series. However, it'd also be an opportunity for this spinoff to set up or build off The Penguin depending on which one comes first.

Carmine Falcone

Carmine Falcone playing billiards while talking to Bruce Wayne in The Batman

Another The Batman character who could factor into the upcoming spinoff is Carmine Falcone. John Turturro portrayed the powerful mafia leader in The Batman, but he'd also fit well with this series if it includes prequel elements. He was introduced in the comics during Batman: Year One. The show might not be a direct adaptation of that comic, but if it is set during the first year of Batman's crime-fighting, then Falcone could make an appearance. He was one of the most powerful men in Gotham at this point and had politicians and Gothams' Commissioner under his control. Since The Batman confirmed similar connections, Falcone's role in Gotham's corruption and possibly even sending people to Arkham gives him a good reason to appear.

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Bella Reál

Bruce Wayne and grassroots politician Bella Reál.

There is also a strong chance that The Batman Gotham TV show brings back Jayme Lawson's Bella Reál. She becomes the elected mayor of Gotham at the end of the first movie. Since she wants to help turn Gotham into a cleaner city and work to fix various problems, it'd make sense if Reál took a closer look at Arkham State Hospital. This would also be a smart way for Matt Reeves' The Batman universe to continue exploring the character and show how she is either succeeding or failing at making Gotham a better place.

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