Key Takeaways:
– The Penguin series, a spinoff from The Batman, will be led by Colin Farrell and follows Oswald Cobblepot’s rise in Gotham City’s criminal underworld.
– Craig Zobel and Helen Shaver are among the directors, while the script is penned by Lauren LeFranc, known for her work on Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
– The Penguin series won’t connect to James Gunn’s DC Cinematic Universe, as it falls under the “DC Elseworlds” banner.
– After delays caused by strikes, the series is expected to premiere in Fall 2024.
Highly anticipated in the world of fandom, MAX has recently shared the teaser for the spin-off series “The Penguin,” based on Matt Reeves’ critically acclaimed “The Batman.” The forthcoming show will narrate the journey of gangster Oswald Cobblepot, famously known as The Penguin, in the aftermath of The Batman events.
Understanding the Plot
Set against the backdrop of Gotham City, the plot portrays Colin Farrell’s character rising through the criminal ranks after the demise of Carmine Falcone and the consequent power vacuum in the city. Farrell, who has donned the character twice before – in Tim Burton’s Batman Returns and FOX’s prequel series Gotham – will once again step into Cobblepot’s shoes, taking the viewers through the Penguin’s evolution.
With flashes of ‘character awkwardness,’ strength, villainy and a heartbroken man, the series aims to delve deeper into Cobblepot’s life, but it is yet to be confirmed whether we will see his childhood in flashbacks.
Production and Direction
Lauren LeFranc, who is known for her acclaimed work on a string of TV shows, including Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., will script and direct the show. Meanwhile, Matt Reeves, despite his busy schedule working on The Batman Part II slated for October 2026, will join the project as a producer.
The first three episodes of the eight-part series will be directed by Craig Zobel, who has a notable experience in directing TV series such as Westworld and The Leftovers. Helen Shaver, known for directing Tremors 2, is also on board. Whether the series will emulate the cinematic quality of The Batman without Matt Reeves as a director is yet to be seen; however, the released footage looks promising.
Casting Details
Apart from Colin Farrell reprising his role as Cobblepot, the series boasts a stellar cast. Cristin Milioti and Michael Zegen will be portraying Sofia Falcone and Alberto Falcone respectively, Carmine Falcone’s offspring. Clancy Brown, a fan-favorite star, will be seen as Salvatore Maroni. The rest of the cast includes Michael Kelly as Johnny Vitti and undisclosed roles for Rhenzy Feliz, Shohreh Aghdashloo, and others.
Separation from James Gunn’s DC Universe
This new series does not connect with James Gunn’s DC Cinematic Universe and is treated as a separate entity under the “DC Elseworlds” banner. This gives creators the creative liberty to introduce any character without the need to link it to the main franchise.
Release Timeline
The teaser for The Penguin was showcased on March 21, 2024, at the Series Mania TV festival in France. Though the original premiere was scheduled for summer, due to post-production activities and the 2023 SAG-AFTRA and Writer’s Guild strikes, the release has been pushed to Fall 2024. Stay tuned for more updates on the official release date of The Penguin.
As this new series gears to make its debut, viewers eagerly look forward to delving into the depths of the complex character of Oswald Cobblepot. As more details unfold, fans of “The Batman” universe eagerly await the release of this promising spin-off series, “The Penguin.”
