One simple character swap changed Batman history for the better. DC’s Dark Knight has dominated the comic book landscape for decades now. And yet, Batman continues to embody pop culture gold deep into the 2020s. This decade alone, Matt Reeves and James Gunn are giving Batman two mᴀssive franchises to star in.

Before Andy Muschietti’s The Brave and the Bold and Matt Reeves’ The Batman trilogy, however, Warner Bros. struggled to find a clear direction for Batman and his Gotham lore. Ben Affleck’s Batman was reserved for DCEU team-ups, and several Gotham icons appeared in projects like the Suicide Squad movies and Birds of Prey.

The Batman’s Penguin Plans Changed Another Then-Upcoming DC Movie

In an interview with EW, Margot Robbie revealed to Colin Farrell that the Penguin was temporarily considered for Birds of Prey. Birds of Prey‘s scrapped version of the Penguin would have existed within the DCEU, and he probably would have been played by a different actor. Ultimately, Birds of Prey went with Roman Sionis a.k.a. Black Mask instead.

With the Penguin established as a main DCEU antagonist in 2020, Matt Reeves probably wouldn’t have included Oz Cobb in The Batman. Birds of Prey could have caused a chain reaction that would have erased the critically acclaimed The Penguin from history, leaving DC without several awards and without one of the best-received comic book performances of all time. Thankfully, Reeves himself claimed the Penguin for his own DC project.

Birds Of Prey’s Villain Is Still A Great Part Of Its Story (Though I’ll Always Wonder What Could Have Been)

Ewan McGregor’s flamboyant and unhinged Black Mask is one of the most unique villain performances in the whole DCEU. McGregor’s unapologetically extravagant humor contrasted with Roman Sionis’ sadism and quietly burning rage. Although Birds of Prey gave him little to work with, McGregor managed to make the otherwise one-note Black Mask into a memorable antagonist.

That said, Birds of Prey’s organized crime storyline would have also suited the Penguin seamlessly. Oswald Cobblepot’s sleazy personality and status as Gotham’s most infamous gangster would have made him the perfect antagonist to the Birds of Prey. Like Black Mask, the Penguin is a manipulative crime boss who doesn’t hesitate to wipe out heroes, vigilantes, and fellow villains alike to achieve his goals.

Still, saving the Penguin for Matt Reeves’ The Batman was the right call. Colin Farrell delivers the most impressive villain performances in recent memory with his tragicomic Penguin portrayal. Farrell’s Penguin thrives precisely because of The Batman’s realism, which is the total opposite of Birds of Prey‘s colorful style. Most importantly, the Penguin’s expanded arc in Reeves’ universe ensures he’s far more than a one-off antagonist.