In a revelation that could disappoint some fans, Lauren LeFranc, the showrunner for The Penguin, has set the record straight about Dr. Julian Rush, portrayed by Theo Rossi. She clarified that he is not connected to the fan theory suggesting he might be the notorious villain Scarecrow from the Batman universe.
In the fourth episode of The Penguin, “Cent’Anni,” a captivating moment caught the attention of fans when a shadowy outline resembling Scarecrow’s syringe gloves and sack mask appeared on Dr. Julian Rush’s desk, the therapist for Sofia Falcone at Arkham. This subtle hint led to a wave of excitement and theories about his potential transformation into the infamous villain in upcoming episodes. However, as the season continued, this storyline never materialized, and The Penguin wrapped up with the character lacking any meaningful impact on the plot. Viewers have since labeled this anti-climactic turn as a squandered opportunity for Julian Rush, marking it as the only blemish in an otherwise exceptional show.
Dr. Julian Rush Is Not Scarecrow
While chatting with Screenrant on the red carpet at the recent Golden Globe Awards, where Colin Farrell won the Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Limited Series for his portrayal of Oswald Cobb in The Penguin, LeFranc put an end to the fan theory about “Julian Rush/Scarecrow” by stating, “I can confirm he’s not the Scarecrow.”
For those who love both The Penguin and Scarecrow—who last graced the big screen nearly two decades ago, portrayed by Cillian Murphy in Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins—Lefranc’s comments really hit hard. Even without the visual cue of the iconic glove and mask on Rush’s desk in Episode 4, his behavior and actions hinted at deeper motives that could be explored in upcoming episodes. Moreover, there are striking parallels between this character and the comic version of Jonathan Crane (Scarecrow), particularly their shared background as psychiatrists who skillfully manipulate fear in their victims. The presence of Scarecrow’s symbolic items only intensified the speculation that Rush might be using an alias.
LeFranc’s analysis supports the alternative theory that the glove and mask are simply props that were left behind during filming. This idea gains traction since they were not on his desk when the audience first sees Sofia in Rush’s office. However, it’s difficult to overlook their presence as just a coincidence, especially with the distinct shape of the famous gloves and mask. Their inclusion might have been intentional, suggesting that the character was meant to represent Scarecrow—or at least a variation of him—before a sudden change in direction altered the concept.
The meticulous attention to detail from the show’s creators gives us every reason to believe that Rush’s seemingly shallow character was designed with purpose. As Rush and Sofia reunite in Arkham at the end of Season 1, and with hints from Matt Reeves about Season 2 of The Penguin, there are still exciting avenues for Rush to explore, such as a storyline involving Dr. Hugo Strange, a DC psychiatrist reminiscent of Scarecrow.