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The DC Studios logo is placed in a rainy Gotham alley
Tale
After the events of Batman (2022), Oz Cobb, also known as The Penguin, tries to take over the criminal underworld in Gotham. From melting makeup to filming in freezing temperatures, Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti talk about how they took on their roles during the production of Penguin. Colin Farrell tried hard to get his version of the penguin to smoke in Batman (2022), but failed. However, in his own series, the character is portrayed as an occasional tobacco user, who prefers cigars. The umbrella falls and the logo changes to the Warner Bros.
Appears in Graham Norton and guests: Lady Gaga/Demi Moore/Colin Farrell/Richard Ayoade/Jack Savoretti (2024)
logo. The new HBO series Penguin, a spin-off of Matt Reeves' Batman (2022) is an exciting journey into the criminal underworld of Gotham City. Starring Colin Farrell as the title character Oswald Cobblepot, aka The Penguin, the series expands on the dark, noir tone established by the film and offers fans a fresh yet familiar experience in the Batman universe. Unlike most superhero content, The Penguin focuses on the darker, more human elements of Gotham’s criminals, moving away from the caped crusader to illuminate the rise of one of Batman’s most legendary foes. Set immediately after the events of Batman, it explores The Penguin’s journey to fill the power vacuum left in Gotham’s criminal empire.
Colin Farrell’s Performance Colin Farrell’s portrayal of The Penguin is simply outstanding
After the death of Carmine Falcone and chaos in Gotham’s infrastructure, Penguin seizes the opportunity to move up the ladder, determined to take control of the city’s crime syndicates. His transformation from underling to major crime boss is the central focus, giving Penguin the feel of a mob drama more akin to The Sopranos than a traditional superhero series. The series wisely avoids relying too much on Batman’s shadow, allowing Penguin to really shine as a main character. Without the dominating presence of the Protector, Gotham creates a new and interesting dynamic where Oswald can operate freely in a morally ambiguous space. This narrative shift feels fresh for the genre and adds depth to Gotham’s criminal underworld without focusing too much on the superhero spectacle.
Farrell adds layers to the character, going beyond the stereotypical portrayal of the villain
Physically unrecognizable in his prosthetic makeup, Farrell fully immerses himself in the character with a nuanced performance that balances the brutality of the mob boss with the insecurity and ambition that drives him. The Penguin is no longer just a caricature of a deformed villain with an umbrella; instead, he’s portrayed as a ruthless, calculating player in Gotham’s criminal hierarchy, making him both terrifying and strangely endearing. His Oswald Cobblepot is cunning, manipulative and ready to break bones, but he is also a man driven by a deep-seated inferiority complex and a desire for respect. Watching him navigate the treacherous waters of Gotham’s criminal underworld is fascinating and provides a grounded approach to the characters, making The Penguin a compelling study in character and tone In terms of atmosphere, The Penguin retains the same dark and rainy aesthetic that fans have come to love. in Batman.
The tone of the series is dark, brutal and tense, reminiscent of neo-noir crime thrillers
The dark, crime-ridden streets of Gotham are beautifully shot, with an emphasis on realism over comic book extravagance. Every scene is imbued with the corruption and decay of Gotham, and danger seems to lurk in every shadow. The production design is superb, with a set that feels like a natural extension of Reeves’ Gotham City. Shabby clubs, seedy side streets and opulent mansions of crime lords add to the exciting nature of the series.
