EntertainmentTVAction ShowsDC TV ShowsAfter the death and destruction of The Penguin finale, one of its most low-key scenes may be hiding the villains for The Batman 2 in plain sightWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
EntertainmentTVAction ShowsDC TV ShowsAfter the death and destruction of The Penguin finale, one of its most low-key scenes may be hiding the villains for The Batman 2 in plain sightWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: HBO/SKY)

The Penguin finale might have secretly introduced The Batman 2’s villains.
During the quick courtroom tete-a-tete between Oz (Colin Farrell) and Councilman Hady (Rhys Coiro), you may notice a peculiar print around the walls of the courtroom.
But it’s not the design you want to pay attention to here. Instead, the outline – an owl-like shape – is the key to this compelling theory.
Some on social media, as you can see below, have jumped to the conclusion that this is a tease for theCourt of Owlsto arrive in The Batman’s 2026 sequel.
Owls in a courtroom?Court of Owls is definitely 100% not a coincidence #ThePenguin pic.twitter.com/iJyFBjOXueNovember 12, 2024
Owls in a courtroom?Court of Owls is definitely 100% not a coincidence #ThePenguin pic.twitter.com/iJyFBjOXueNovember 12, 2024
First introduced as part of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s New 52 Batman run at the turn of the 2010s, the secret society known as the Court of Owls stepped out of the shadows of Gotham to face down Batman – who they perceive as the biggest threat to their talon-like grip on the city, which stretches back centuries.
That organized corruption and The Batman’s obsession with birds (lest we forget ‘El Rata Alada’ and the ‘bird with wings’ riddle) is nothing new. So it only stands to reason that another ultra-powerful group in The Court of Owls might spread its wings in a sequel – which isset to start filming next year.
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The Batman 2 hits cinemas on October 2, 2026. For more on The Penguin, check out our complete breakdown ofThe Penguin ending.
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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
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Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
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2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
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Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
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Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
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1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
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2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
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Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
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Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
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5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
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1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
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2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2
Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
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3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
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4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”