A standout character from Matt Reeves’s recently released “The Batman” is getting more screen time. After months of speculation, it was confirmed on March 9 that a spinoff series focusing on the Penguin had been officially ordered at HBO Max. The news comes days after Reeves revealed HBO Max shelved its planned prequel series focusing on the Gotham City Police Department.
Colin Farrell, who portrays the Penguin in the new adaptation starring Robert Pattinson, will reprise his role for the series. The Penguin — real name Oswald Cobblepot — is an associate of Carmine Falcone who runs the Iceberg Lounge. Farrell disappeared into the role with intricate prosthetics, and though Pal Dano’s Riddler is the film’s central villain, the Penguin is an audience favorite, bringing both car chases and comedic relief.
“I couldn’t be more excited about continuing this exploration of Oz as he rises through the darkened ranks to become The Penguin,” Farrell said in a statement. “Will be good to get him back on the streets of Gotham for a little madness and a little mayhem.” Farrell previously told Entertainment Tonight the series will pick up right after the events of “The Batman.”
Lauren LeFranc, whose credits include Marvel’s “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” and “Hemlock Grove,” has signed on as writer and showrunner. “I have long been a fan of the world of ‘The Batman,’ and Matt’s film is such a powerful and bold entry into the canon,” LeFranc said. “I am excited and humbled to continue telling stories in the grimy world of Gotham City — and what better excuse to channel my inner villain than to tell the story of Oswald Cobblepot?”
The villain was first portrayed by Burgess Meredith in the 1960s series and later by Danny DeVito in Tim Burton’s “Batman Returns” and, more recently, Robin Lord Taylor in “Gotham.”
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