Warner Bros.
Set to premiere is the highly anticipated TV series “The Penguin,” chronicling the nefarious activities of the enigmatic Oswald/Oz “The Penguin” Cobb (Colin Farrell), a captivating crime lord in the chaotic urban landscape of Gotham City. This iteration of the Penguin first made its appearance in the 2022 superhero blockbuster “The Batman” directed by Matt Reeves, a cinematic tour de force that presented a grim, humorless Batman (Robert Pattinson) and a Gotham City bearing a striking resemblance to the metropolis in David Fincher’s 1995 thriller “Seven.” Although the Penguin was not the primary villain in “The Batman,” his intense interrogation by Batman and his dynamic character added a spark to the otherwise somber movie.
The transformation of Colin Farrell into the Penguin was achieved through remarkable makeup effects, earning an Academy Award nomination. The same makeup will be utilized in “The Penguin.”
Speculations have been rife among “The Batman” enthusiasts about whether the eponymous hero would make occasional appearances in “The Penguin,” considering they inhabit the same universe. Batman’s adversaries often seem to gather together, as evidenced in “The Batman” which also showcased Catwoman, the Riddler, and the Joker. This has led to conjectures about whether “The Penguin” might introduce other Batman villains like Poison Ivy or Harley Quinn.
However, a recent article in SFX Magazine may quell some of these expectations. The creators of “The Penguin” have unequivocally stated that Batman will not feature in the new series, as they aim to chart a fresh course for the character, distinct from the familiar superhero. Regrettably for Batman aficionados, the Dark Knight will continue to operate independently.
Batman’s Absence in The Penguin Series
Warner Bros.
Showrunner Lauren LeFranc of “The Penguin” clarified that Gotham City, with its intrinsic allure, does not necessitate Batman’s presence, and that a storyline revolving around the Penguin can function optimally without the Dark Knight. She expressed her belief that Gotham City “deserved to have more doors unlocked within it, and for us to walk through those and see what we think.” This is a valid point, considering that if Gotham City could inspire one man to become Batman, there must be countless others responding in equally extraordinary ways to the criminal underworld.
LeFranc is more interested in these other, non-Batman characters, believing their impact to be equally significant. She stated:
“I understand why people’s desire would be to have Batman, or to think that unless Batman’s in a show or a film then it doesn’t have the same punch. […] To me, I think it packs a different punch. Matt’s films are through the lens of the Batman, so you’re high up, looking down on the city. It’s a different perspective. With Oz, you’re in the city streets, you’re in the grit and the muck and the grime. He’s looking up, wanting to claw his way to the top.”
Executive producer Matt Reeves, who is also involved with “The Penguin,” did not feel the need to incorporate Batman into a series where his presence is not required. He opined that the show is not lacking anything crucial, and viewers will recognize that it is set in Batman’s world. Reeves believes that if audiences could embrace the TV series “Gotham,” they would also accept “The Penguin.” He is banking on “The Penguin” viewers having watched “The Batman,” as the latter’s events would shape the former’s narrative. “The specter of everything that happens in the last movie is there,” Reeves elaborated.
A sequel featuring Pattinson as Batman is currently under production and slated for an October 2026 release. “The Penguin” is set to premiere on September 19, 2024, on HBO and Max.
Credit: www.slashfilm.com
