Old School. Biblically Independent.
By Mike Redmond | News | October 22, 2026
The Penguin was a surprising hit for HBO. What easily could’ve been another tired comic book show, inexplicably spun off a cinematic universe that only had film behind it, turned into an acting tour de force for Cristin Milioti and a tidy Emmy-nominated feather in the premium channel’s cap. I was the last person who wanted more of Colin Farrell’s character from The Batman, but after watching, I’d go so far to say the show was better than the movie.
The Penguin’s success rests on the shoulders of Lauren LeFranc, so all eyes are on her next project: A live-action series focused on another of Batman’s rogues: Poison Ivy. Of course, the big question is which DC film universe the show will be set in, and well, the answer is telling.
Via Deadline:
We have been tracking the project for many months, as plans to move forward were on pause due to the Paramount and Warner Bros. merger. The latest news is that LeFranc would only be producing the new series and not writing the expansion of the DC Comics character’s story. There are currently no writers attached. Additionally, the TV series, which would go to HBO if it gets picked up, would not be part of Matt Reeves’ Batman Universe, which is led by Robert Pattinson playing the caped crusader from Gotham City, sources say.
So, unlike The Penguin, Poison Ivy will be traipsing around the DCU. This is probably not a shock as The Batman: Part II goes through some things. Steven Soderbergh has been brought in to help wrap up that movie as Matt Reeves deals with a private family matter. There’s also a huge question mark around whether the film will pinch off that whole film universe or Robert Pattinson’s Batman will get folded into the DCU. Every answer is always couched with a notable amount of wiggle room.
That said, Lanterns was a freaking masterpiece and proof positive that the DCU shines when its the focus of an HBO series, so this development is nothing but good news.
