Showrunner Lauren LeFranc Praises The Penguin’s Success, Teases Future Projects
Showrunner Lauren LeFranc is pleased with the success of The Penguin, the first spinoff in Matt Reeves’ The Batman universe. Despite the show’s limited series nature, LeFranc is open to the possibility of a direct follow-up, provided it has the “right idea or the right characters”.
In an interview with ScreenRant at the 2025 Golden Globes, LeFranc expressed her satisfaction with the show’s reception, stating, “We were meant to be a limited series, so I’m really proud of the first season and the story that we made. There’s more stories to tell there, for sure, if we can find the right idea or the right characters. I’m not sure about that yet, but I’m really proud of the work that we’ve done.”
When asked if she would like to bring another character into the Matt Reeves universe, LeFranc revealed that she would “be honored” to helm a new project, but only if she found a character that she could “personalize” and bring something unique to.
For LeFranc, it’s not just about the character, but also about the story. She explained, “For me, it’s just about making sure I can find a personal connection to that character and feel like I can do something unique and different with them. That’s what I felt like I found with Oz, and then in that world, I was able to bring in Sofia and all these other characters. So, for me, it’s always seeking something personal.”
While The Penguin’s success has led to speculation about potential spinoffs, LeFranc and Reeves have been clear about their intention to keep the franchise limited to its necessary installments. However, the door is still open for a potential second season of The Penguin, and many other characters in the DC universe could get their own spinoffs.
Some of these characters include Catwoman, Riddler, Joker, and James Gordon, who have the potential to star in a show as successful as The Penguin, or even characters like Scarecrow, Hush, Mister Freeze, and Azrael, who could follow a similar narrative and style. As the franchise continues to grow, it’s likely that more projects will arise from the Matt Reeves universe, and Lauren LeFranc will be at the helm, bringing her unique touch to each new project.