Is Theo Rossi’s Dr. Julian Rush an original DC character in The Penguin?

Is Theo Rossi’s Dr. Julian Rush an original DC character in The Penguin?

As a seasoned gamer and DC Comics aficionado with over two decades of immersion in the Batman universe, I must say that Theo Rossi’s portrayal of Dr Julian Rush in The Penguin series has piqued my curiosity. His intriguing character seems to share striking similarities with notable DC villains like Hugo Strange and Scarecrow, leaving fans speculating about his true identity within the Batman universe.


In Episode 2 of “The Penguin,” a fresh character has sparked interest among viewers – none other than Dr. Julian Rush, played by Theo Rossi. This enigmatic figure has got fans talking and searching for connections to the DC universe, as another DC Easter egg has been noticed in his character. So, who is this captivating Dr. Julian Rush in “The Penguin” and what ties him to the DC comics world?

In this article, we’ll delve into the key details about the series’ character and its link to the cosmos.

Is Theo Rossi’s Dr. Julian Rush an original DC character in The Penguin?

From my gaming perspective, it seems quite plausible that Dr. Julian Rush, portrayed by Theo Rossi, is one of the unique DC characters appearing in ‘The Penguin’.

In the second episode of the series, we meet Dr. Julian Rush. He’s depicted administering an unusual therapy to his patient, Sofia Falcone. Notably, he induces a trance in Sofia using three bars of red light. This causes her to envision herself back in Arkham, with Rush leading her into a fictional cell. During this process, Sofia shares some troubling memories about her brother Alberto, but Rush helps steer her away from dwelling on those thoughts.

She’s significantly impacted by Rush’s actions, who begins using verbal signals to soothe her. The audience experiences a strong sense of closeness between the two characters as Rush holds Sofia to bring her back to herself. Remarkably, he also indicates his wish to assist Sofia with her issues, which leaves her unfazed.

Is Dr. Julian Rush actually Hugo Strange or Scarecrow in The Batman universe?

Although there are some indications, it has yet to be definitively established if Dr. Julian Rush is indeed Hugo Strange or the Scarecrow within the Batman universe.

In the series, Dr. Rush’s introduction sparked DC fans to notice parallels with characters from Batman’s universe. Initially, viewers saw a resemblance between Hugo Strange, one of Batman’s villains, and Dr. Rush. This is due to the fact that both are twisted psychiatrists who worked in institutions like Arkham Asylum or other Gotham hospitals, employing questionable methods on their patients. Similarities can be drawn between Sofia’s treatment by Dr. Rush and The Penguin, as it left her shocked and deeply disturbed.

Furthermore, some spectators posit that Dr. Rush could potentially embody Dr. Jonathan Crane, more famously known as the Scarecrow. Both characters utilize fear in their methods and reportedly overstep ethical boundaries with their patients. Notably, they both share an initial, ‘J’.

There’s speculation among fans that the creator might have switched his name to Julian Rush, analogous to Edward Nygma transforming into Edward Nashton in The Batman, or the Penguin altering Oswald Cobblepot to Oswald Cobb. However, until the creators officially confirm their approach to this new character, fans can only guess and anticipate.

The Penguin is streaming on HBO Max.

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2024-09-30 09:10