Director Matt Reeves and producing partner Dylan Clark are poised to unleash their vision of Gotham’s dark underbelly with the upcoming HBO series, “The Penguin,” a spinoff from their recent blockbuster, “The Batman.”
Scheduled to debut in September on HBO and HBO Max, “The Penguin” promises to delve deep into the origins and rise of Colin Farrell’s Oz Cobblepot, a character introduced in Reeves’ gritty reboot of the Caped Crusader’s world. In an exclusive interview with Entertainment Weekly, lead writer and showrunner Lauren LeFranc described the series as a “Scarface story,” focusing on Oz’s ascent in the criminal hierarchy before reaching the pinnacle of power.
The narrative of “The Penguin” picks up immediately after the cataclysmic events of “The Batman,” where Gotham City reels from the aftermath of the Riddler’s destructive scheme, which flooded the city. With the demise of crime lord Carmine Falcone, played by John Turturro, Oz Cobblepot finds himself at the center of a volatile power vacuum. “We’re in Oz’s world,” LeFranc explained, “living in the underbelly of the city where trust is a luxury. Oz is cunning and methodical, yet unpredictable—an enigmatic figure navigating a landscape ripe with opportunity and peril.”
Originally conceived as a spinoff exploring Gotham’s police force or Arkham Asylum, the project evolved during the production of “The Batman.” Reeves recalled, “As we were writing the movie, I realized there were stories we could expand upon.” HBO executives encouraged a focus on iconic characters, leading to the development of “The Penguin,” incorporating elements from earlier concepts while weaving a fresh narrative that explores Oz Cobblepot’s complex persona.
Colin Farrell, reprising his role as Oz Cobblepot, expressed enthusiasm for the series’ exploration of his character’s psychology and backstory, elements only hinted at in “The Batman.” Co-starring Cristin Milioti as Sofia Falcone, Oz’s estranged ally returning from Arkham Asylum, the series promises to deepen the intertwining of personal histories amidst Gotham’s shadows.
While the series primarily unfolds in daylight, contrasting with Batman’s nocturnal activities, LeFranc hinted at connections bridging “The Penguin” with Reeves’ planned sequel to “The Batman,” slated for 2026. “We are the bridge between the two films,” she revealed, teasing a narrative thread that extends the cinematic universe into episodic storytelling.
As HBO prepares to launch “The Penguin” alongside other explorations of Gotham’s criminal underworld, Clark teased ongoing expansions into Batman’s universe. “We’re looking at this entire world as it relates to who Batman is,” he remarked, underscoring a commitment to exploring the multifaceted dynamics of crime and justice in Gotham City.
“The Penguin,” an HBO Original series, promises audiences a deeper dive into the complex characters and moral ambiguities that define Gotham’s darkest corners. Scheduled to premiere in September, it stands poised to captivate viewers with its compelling blend of crime drama and character-driven storytelling.
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