The Penguin: Dr. Julian Rush has great potential for Batman villains

Given Rush’s sinister nature and doctor credentials, opinions are divided as to whether he is Dr. Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow or Dr. Hugo Strange could play. Both have ties to Arkham in the comics, and both could mean big things for the future of the franchise. While Cillian Murphy memorably played Crane in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, Strange is an underrated villain who was played by BD Wong in Gotham and played an important role in Rocksteady’s Arkham city. Interestingly, Reeves has paused his planned Arkham spinoff series, with canned storylines and characters that may segue into The penguin.

Reeves is no stranger to revamping iconic Batman enemies, like how The Batman Edward Nigma changed to Edward Nashton and Oswald Cobblepot simply became Oz Cobb. Others have discovered that there is a book on hypnosis in Rush’s office. While nothing special considering the methods he uses on Sofia, hypnosis is a modus operandi often employed by Scarecrow. On Reddit, one fan theorized, “The emphasis on the hypnosis device and the rather gruesome artwork on the office wall seem to indicate a twisted psychological aspect of his character.”

Crane seems the most likely candidate, especially thanks to Sofia’s master plan to introduce a new drug to the streets of Gotham. She planned to team up with her brother Alberto (Michael Zegen) to flood Gotham with the new narcotic, which she told Penguin would change the city forever. Much like theories about who Rush really is, speculation is rife that Sofia’s mysterious drug could be the Venom compound associated with Bane of Fear Toxin administered by Scarecrow. Despite this repetition of elements of Nolan Batman beginsScarecrow could easily fit in as a side character The penguin’s main story.

Others have noted that the name Julian Rush is similar to Julian Day, also known as Calendar Man, although this seems a tenuous link. As for Strange, he notably borrowed money from the Falconis and used Arkham patients as test subjects, even going so far as to turn them into Frankenstein-like experiments known as the Monster Men. This is a bit far-fetched for Reeves’ grounded take on Batman, but it’s easy to imagine having Rush/Strange as an unhinged psychiatrist who exploits Sofia’s fragile mind for his own gain. When Mark Strong was hired The penguinmany were hoping he would play Hugo Strange, although we now know he has been cast as Carmine Falcone (who takes over the role of The Batman‘John Turturro). Strange is a character that is becoming increasingly popular, with others calling on Dave Bautista to play the mad scientist in James Gunn’s DCU, which is separate from the canon of Reeves’ Batverse.

Rossi has suggested that we definitely need more Dr. Rush will see, telling The Hollywood Reporter: “If this was split into Oz and Sofia sides, I’m all team Sofia… We first show up 10 years earlier in Akrham with the flashbacks, and then it’s really cheerleading, supportive, her doctor trying to give her the worst to let it be human possible.” Could Rush be the real Hangman and let Sofia do the time for his crimes, or is he a much more legendary villain from Batman’s established rogues gallery? Whether he’s just a simple doctor or seen as a major villain destined to cross paths with Batman, it doesn’t sound like Dr. Rush is one of the good guys.