Key Takeaways:
– “The Penguin” series follows the story of Colin Farrell's character post-‘The Batman' film.
– Lauren LeFranc is set to showrun the series while Matt Reeves serves as producer.
– Director Craig Zobel, known for his work on “Westworld” and “Mare of Easttown,” will helm at least three episodes.
– The cast includes prominent actors such as Cristin Milioti, Michael Zegen, and Clancy Brown.
– Set within the “DC Elseworlds” banner, the series doesn't align with James Gunn's DCU.
– A tentative fall 2024 release is on the cards, following a successful trailer debut in March 2024.
Following the much-awaited launch of the trailer for the Batman spin-off series ‘The Penguin,' fans are eagerly counting down to the fall 2024 release date. The series, reminiscent of Matt Reeves' ‘The Batman,' dives deeper into Gotham City's criminal underbelly, particularly focusing on Farrell's character, The Penguin.
An Insight into ‘The Penguin'
As per last week's release, ‘The Penguin' is set post-‘The Batman,' with Colin Farrell reprising his role as the Penguin, better known as Cobblepot. The plot elucidates his meteoric rise within Gotham's crime scene, particularly after Gotham's devastating flood and the death of Carmine Falcone. Subsequently, Farrell's character seeks to fill the power vacuum left behind.
Potential for a richer character exploration adds to the intrigue of ‘The Penguin.' Farrell has hinted at the possibility of the series shedding light on his formative years, although there's no firm indication about flashbacks to Cobblepot's childhood. Nevertheless, the series is set to emphasize the Penguin's “awkwardness, strength, villainy,” and the “heartbroken man” within.
Behind the Scenes
While Matt Reeves is indisputably instrumental in shaping the Batman universe, he ceded the reins of writing ‘The Penguin' to Lauren LeFranc due to his busy schedule. With relevant experience on ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D,' LeFranc brings her superhero storytelling expertise to the project, complete with an intriguing touch of her distinct writing style.
As for direction, the series will involve the talents of Craig Zobel and Helen Shaver. Zobel's extensive experience shines through his work across various series like ‘Westworld,' ‘The Leftovers,' and ‘Mare of Easttown.' Shaver's participation is confirmed, though her episode count remains unknown.
The Cast and DC Universe Connect
While the show's full cast has not been unveiled, key characters besides Farrell include Cristin Milioti as Sofia Falcone, Michael Zegen as Alberto Falcone, and Clancy Brown as Salvatore Maroni, a rival gangster. The potential connection to Harvey Dent, aka Two Face, hints at the possibility of an expanded character roster in this rendition of the DC world.
One thing is clear, however – there is no connection between ‘The Penguin' and James Gunn's DCU. Instead, this series fits into the standalone ‘DC Elseworlds' banner wherein diverse stories exist in alternate universes without influencing the primary franchise's continuity.
Where and When to Watch?
The trailer for ‘The Penguin' was first screened on March 21, 2024, at the Series Mania TV festival in France and went online the following day. Reports confirm that the series' production was wrapped up in February 2024, while post-production is currently underway. Consequently, fans can look forward to a fall 2024 release.
As the release date approaches, the excitement surrounding ‘The Penguin' is palpable. Share your thoughts on whether it will successfully follow up on ‘The Batman.' Stay tuned for more updates!
