The Penguin: Release Date & Everything We Know about Upcoming HBO Series
One of Gotham's most charismatic villains is already on his way.
The Penguin, starring Colin Farrell as crime boss Oswald Cobblepot, will premiere on Max on September 19. The new series will be a spin-off from Matt Reeves' The Batman.
The Penguin's Backstory in Matt Reeves' The Batman
Matt Reeves' The Batman was released in 2022: Robert Pattinson played Bruce Wayne, and the main antagonist was the Riddler, played by Paul Dano. The new version of the familiar story would not be complete without Catwoman: now Selina Kyle works in a nightclub owned by Oswald Cobblepot, nicknamed the Penguin.
Colin Farrell's character is the right-hand man of Carmine Falcone, Gotham City's crime boss. According to the plot, Batman and Gordon begin to suspect that the Penguin may be a secret informant for the authorities in the case of gangster Salvatore Maroni, but they are wrong: the informant turns out to be his main rival, Carmine Falcone.
In the finale, the Riddler kills the crime boss to make way for Oswald Cobblepot. The new series will focus on the Penguin's struggle for power on the streets of Gotham.
What Will The Penguin Be About?
The action of The Penguin will take place just a few days after the events of The Batman, and the series will serve as a link between the first part and the upcoming sequel.
It is known that the plot of the series will focus on Cobblepot's ambitious plans to lead the criminal world of Gotham. However, after the murder of Carmine Falcone, a real war will break out on the streets of the city, as not only the Penguin, but also the daughter of the late crime boss, Sofia Falcone, claims his place.
By shifting the focus from Batman to the Penguin, the show's creators have moved from the superhero genre into the territory of crime and gangster stories, for which the new series has already been compared to The Sopranos and Scarface.
The Penguin Creators
The first three episodes of The Penguin were directed by Craig Zobel, whose previous credits include Mare of Easttown with Kate Winslet, American Gods and Westworld.
The Batman director Matt Reeves serves as executive producer. The Penguin showrunner and writer is Lauren Lefranc, whose previous credits include Hemlock Grove and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
The Penguin Cast
Colin Farrell will reprise his role as Oswald Cobblepot. The female lead goes to Cristin Milioti, known to viewers from the sci-fi romcom Palm Springs as well as the series How I Met Your Mother, Fargo and Black Mirror.
Another contender for Gotham City's crime boss throne was played by Michael Kelly: his character Johnny Vitti from Carmine Falcone's organization will also join the fight for power.
But don't expect Robert Pattinson to appear as Bruce Wayne, as The Penguin showrunner Lauren Lefranc recently confirmed.