The Batman Epic Crime Saga begins.
Logline
Colin Farrell returns as the iconic villain in “The Penguin,” a gritty crime drama spin-off from “The Batman,” exploring Oz Cobblepot’s rise in Gotham’s underworld.
Breakdown
- Spin-off series from the 2022 film “The Batman”
- Stars Colin Farrell as Oz Cobblepot/The Penguin
- Created by showrunner Lauren LeFranc
- Described as “a Scarface story”
- Available on HBO and Max this September
Plot Beats
“The Penguin” chronicles the ascent of Oz Cobblepot in Gotham’s criminal hierarchy. The series explores his transformation into a formidable crime lord, setting the stage for his role in future Batman narratives. The storyline picks up one week after the events of “The Batman,” where Paul Dano’s Riddler caused chaos by flooding Gotham City, leading to a power vacuum after mobster Carmine Falcone’s death. According to showrunner Lauren LeFranc, “The Penguin” will serve as a bridge to “The Batman Part II”:
“We are the bridge between the two films. We’re going almost directly into the second film Matt has planned.”
Cast and Crew
- Colin Farrell as Oz Cobblepot/The Penguin
- Rhenzy Feliz as Victor Aguilar
- Cristin Milioti as Sofia Falcone
- Michael Zegen as Alberto Falcone
- Michael Kelly as Johnny Vitti
- Shohreh Aghdashloo as Nadia Maroni
- Deirdre O’Connell as Francis Cobb
- Clancy Brown as Salvatore Maroni
- James Madio as Milos Grapa
- Scott Cohen as Luca Falcone
- Carmen Ejogo as Eve Karlo
Buzz and Highlights
We are the bridge between the two films. We’re going almost directly into the second film Matt has planned
Lauren LeFranc, The Penguin’s Showrunner
“The Penguin” is noteworthy because it expands the “The Batman” universe, providing a deeper look into one of Gotham’s most notorious villains. Fans of the film are eagerly anticipating this series, which bridges the events between two planned Batman movies. According to lead writer and showrunner Lauren LeFranc, “It’s a rise-to-power story of Oz before he really makes it to the top.” Colin Farrell expressed excitement about delving deeper into his character’s psychology and backstory over the series’ eight-hour runtime.
Production Notes
- Developed by Matt Reeves and Dylan Clark, the minds behind “The Batman.”
- Initially, a Gotham City Police Department series was planned, but it evolved into “The Penguin” with elements from the GCPD concept.
- The series delves into the power vacuum left by Carmine Falcone’s death and Oz’s attempts to navigate and exploit this chaos.
- New images from the series have been released by Entertainment Weekly, showcasing Colin Farrell’s transformation into the iconic villain.
Closing Credits
Catch “The Penguin” on HBO and Max this September. Stay tuned for the gritty rise of Gotham’s iconic crime lord and witness the dark allure of Oz Cobblepot’s empire. The show serves as a bridge between “The Batman” and its upcoming sequel, slated for 2026.
