Max’s upcoming series, ‘The Penguin‘, promises to take us deep into the gritty underworld of Gotham City. Colin Farrell is once again stepping into the shoes of Oswald Cobblepot. Fans of the 2022 blockbuster ‘The Batman‘ are already familiar with this menacing character, but this time, the story centers entirely around him — sans Batman.
But does a Batman show without Batman work? Apparently, it does. ‘The Penguin’ creators have made it clear that this series stands on its own, with no need for a Bruce Wayne cameo.
‘The Penguin’ Won’t Miss A Beat Without Batman
In an interview with SFX magazine, Matt Reeves addressed the absence of the Caped Crusader. “I don’t feel like it’s missing something fundamental,” he said confidently. “I feel like it’s an extension of what is fundamentally there. We know this is the world of Batman.” Reeves made it clear that the essence of Gotham, with its dark alleys and lurking threats, is very much alive in ‘The Penguin‘.
“You’re going down a different alley. So the spectre of Batman is there. The spectre of the Riddler is there. The spectre of everything that happens in the last movie is there. It informs it. And it’s exactly where we begin.”
Lauren LeFranc, the head writer and showrunner of the series, backed up Reeves’ vision, emphasizing that this isn’t just another superhero show. “To me, I think it packs a different punch,” she told SFX magazine.
“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.”
In Case You Missed: 10 Underrated Horror Thrillers That Will Haunt Your Nightmares
Colin Farrell Teases A Deep Dive Into The Penguin’s Psyche
So, what can fans expect from this Penguin-centric story? Well, according to Farrell, a lot of backstory. Last month, the actor, who clearly relishes his role as Oswald Cobblepot, teased that the TV series would delve deeply into what makes the Penguin tick.
“I loved doing the part in the Batman film and the idea that we would get spoiled by having eight hours to really delve into this character’s psychology and backstory,” Farrell shared with EW. “Backstory plays a big part in the television show.”
‘The Penguin‘ premieres in September on HBO and Max.
You might also like to read:
