21/14
The DC Studios logo is set in a raining Gotham alley
Tale
Following the events of The Batman (2022), Oz Cobb, a.k.a. From melting makeup to shooting in freezing temperatures, Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti talk about how they got into character during production on "The Penguin.". Colin Farrell fought hard to have his version of The Penguin Smoke Tobacco in The Batman (2022) but was unsuccessful. For his own series however, the character is depicted as an occasional tobacco user, with a preference for cigars..
Featured in Graham Norton in genres: Lady Gaga/Demi Moore/Colin Farrell/Richard Ayoade/Jack Savoretti (2024)
The new HBO show The Penguin, a spin-off of Matt Reeves' The Batman (2022), is an exciting dive into the criminal underworld of Gotham City. Helmed by Colin Farrell as the titular character Oswald Cobblepot, aka The Penguin, this series expands on the gritty, noirish tone set by the film and offers fans a fresh yet familiar experience in the Batman universe. Unlike most superhero-related content, The Penguin focuses on the darker, more human elements of Gotham's criminals, moving away from the caped crusader to spotlight the rise of one of Batman's most notorious foes.Storyline Set immediately after the events of The Batman, the series explores Penguin's journey to fill the power vacuum left in Gotham's criminal empire. With Carmine Falcone dead and Gotham's infrastructure in chaos, Penguin seizes the opportunity to climb the ranks, determined to assert control over the city's crime syndicates.
allowing Penguin to truly shine as a lead
His transformation from an underboss to a major crime lord is the primary focus, which gives The Penguin a mafia-drama vibe more akin to The Sopranos than a traditional superhero show. Without the overbearing presence of Gotham's protector, it creates a new and interesting dynamic, where Oswald is free to operate in a morally ambiguous space. This narrative shift feels fresh for the genre and adds depth to the Gotham crime world without focusing too much on superhero spectacle.Colin Farrell's Performance Colin Farrell's portrayal of Penguin is nothing short of remarkable. Physically unrecognizable in his prosthetic makeup, Farrell fully inhabits the character with a nuanced performance that balances the brutality of a mob boss with the insecurities and ambition that drive him.
The show's tone is grim, violent, and loaded with tension, reminiscent of neo-noir crime thrillers
The Penguin is no longer just a caricature of a deformed, umbrella-wielding villain; instead, he's depicted as a ruthless, calculated player in Gotham's criminal hierarchy, making him both terrifying and strangely sympathetic.Farrell brings layers to the character, moving beyond the stereotypical villain portrayal. His Oswald Cobblepot is shrewd, manipulative, and ready to break bones, yet he's also a man driven by a deep-rooted inferiority complex and desire for respect. Watching him navigate the treacherous waters of Gotham's crime world is compelling and provides a grounded approach to the character, making The Penguin a fascinating character study.Gritty Atmosphere and Tone In terms of atmosphere, The Penguin maintains the same gritty and rainy aesthetic that fans loved in The Batman. The dark, crime-ridden streets of Gotham are beautifully shot, with an emphasis on realism over comic book extravagance.
The dingy clubs, run-down alleys, and opulent crime lord mansions all add to the immersive feel of the show
Every scene is soaked in the corruption and decay of Gotham, and it feels as if danger lurks in every shadow.The production design is top-notch, with set pieces that feel like a natural extension of Reeves' Gotham City.