The Penguin (HBO MAX)

[ben6543]

HBO Max is developing a series about The Penguin that will be a spinoff of “The Batman” feature, Variety has learned from sources.

Colin Farrell is set to play the notorious supervillain in “The Batman.” According to sources, Farrell has been approached to star in the spinoff series but no deal is currently in place. Sources also say that Lauren LeFranc is attached to write the script for the project, which is in its very early stages.

The show would supposedly delve into The Penguin’s rise to power in the Gotham criminal underworld. “The Batman” director Matt Reeves and the film’s producer Dylan Clark would executive produce the Penguin series under their 6th & Idaho and Dylan Clark Productions banners respectively. Warner Bros. Television would produce.

Reps for HBO Max declined to comment.

The Penguin, a.k.a. Oswald Cobblepot, is one of the most famous members of the Batman Rogues Gallery. On the live-action side, the character has previously been played by actors like Burgess Meredith, Danny DeVito, and Robin Lord Taylor.

Farrell has previously starred in television shows like “The North Water” and True Detective” Season 2. He is best known for his roles in films like “In Bruges,” “SWAT,” “The Lobster,” and “Seven Psychopaths.” He is repped by CAA, Ilene Feldman Management, Hansen Jacobson, and Kovert Creative.

LeFranc most recently served as showrunner on the YouTube Premium original series “Impulse.” Her other TV credits include “Agents of SHIELD,” “Chuck,” and “Hemlock Grove.” She is repped by CAA, Grandview, and Hansen Jacobson.

“The Batman” is due to hit theaters in March 2022 after being delayed multiple times due to the pandemic. Robert Pattinson is taking up the mantle of the Dark Knight, with Zoe Kravitz, Paul Dano, Jeffrey Wright, and Andy Serkis also among the film’s cast.

Should the Penguin show go forward, it would be the second spinoff series from “The Batman” at HBO Max. The streamer has already ordered a drama set within the Gotham Police Department, with Joe Barton attached as the showrunner. It is part of WarnerMedia’s attempt to launch a new interconnected Batman universe across all of its platforms.

There are several other DC shows in the works at HBO Max, including the “Suicide Squad” spinoff “Peacemaker” starring John Cena, a “Green Lantern” series from Greg Berlanti, and a “Justice League Dark” series from J.J. Abrams among others.

https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/the...ax-1235063438/

[Joeker]

Bring back Fish Mooney!

[SilverFox84]

Originally Posted by Joeker

Bring back Fish Mooney!

[yanksno1]

Will Batman be in this too? Otherwise meh (so far).

[ProfXtacy]

Super villain? He’s a crime boss - nothing super about him.

And I just think Colin Farrell would be woefully miscast as the Penguin.

[Darth Marcus]

Source: Variety

‘The Batman’ Penguin Spinoff Series Starring Colin Farrell Officially Ordered at HBO Max
Joe Otterson - March 9, 2022

“The Batman” spinoff series about The Penguin at HBO Max has officially been ordered to series.

As Variety exclusively reported in December 2021, Colin Farrell will return for the limited series after starring as the famous Batman villain in the recently released film. Based on the characters created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger for DC, the show will follow the character, whose real name is Oswald Cobblepot, as he rises through the ranks of Gotham’s criminal underworld. Variety reported that the show as in the works in September 2021.

“The world that Matt Reeves created for ‘The Batman’ is one that warrants a deeper gaze through the eyes of Oswald Cobblepot,” said Farrell. “I couldn’t be more excited about continuing this exploration of Oz as he rises through the darkened ranks to become The Penguin. Will be good to get him back on the streets of Gotham for a little madness and a little mayhem.”

Lauren LeFranc will serve as writer and showrunner on the series. Reeves, who directed “The Batman,” will also executive produce along with Dylan Clark, who produced “The Batman.” Reeves executive produces via 6th & Idaho Productions along with Daniel Pipski , while Clark produces via Dylan Clark Produtions. Adam Kassan also executive produces, while Rafi Crohn is co-executive producer. Warner Bros. Television is the studio. 6th & Idaho is currently under an overall deal at WBTV.

“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? I am thrilled to work with Colin, Matt, Dylan, 6th & Idaho, Warners, and HBO Max as we work to bring this story to the screen.”

The Penguin is one of the most famous members of the Batman Rogues Gallery, typically recognizable by his top hat, monocle, and wide variety of deadly umbrellas. On the live-action side, the character has previously been played by actors like Burgess Meredith, Danny DeVito, and Robin Lord Taylor.

“Colin exploded off the screen as the Penguin in ‘The Batman,’ and having the chance to thoroughly explore the inner life of that character on HBO Max is an absolute thrill,” Reeves said. “Dylan and I are so excited to work with Lauren in continuing Oz’s story as he grabs violently for power in Gotham.”

“We are thrilled to bring audiences a new version of this iconic DC character that they have never seen before,” added Sarah Aubrey, head of original content for HBO Max. “It is incredible to be working with Matt, Dylan and Lauren on continuing this story and to see Colin take his already exceptional performance in ‘The Batman’ to the next level.”

“The Batman” debuted in theaters in the U.S. on March 4. The film has grossed over $250 million at the global box office to date. The film has also received positive reviews from critics. Variety‘s Peter Debruge wrote in his review of the film:

“In ways far more unsettling than most audiences might expect, ‘The Batman’ channels the fears and frustrations of our current political climate, presenting a meaty, full-course crime saga that blends elements of the classic gangster film with cutting-edge commentary about challenges facing the modern world.”

[K9 Mark V]

[tcripe]

Very excited for this! Especially if its R rated like Colin says its going to be.

[kannibaliztik]

Originally Posted by ProfXtacy

Super villain? He’s a crime boss - nothing super about him.

And I just think Colin Farrell would be woefully miscast as the Penguin.

this comment sure didn't age well, he was fantastic in the role.

[Gamma_Winstead]

Very excited to see this. There's a lot of room for stories here. Batman's rogue Gallery is the best in all of comics. I'd love to see them fleshed out in a high quality set of spin-off's. Not... ya know. Gotham. Or arrowverse. Good stuff.

[vertigop1ayer]

I mean, The Batman was so good you kinda have to give this a chance, but it'd really need to be an upgrade from Gotham - not just be a bigger budgeted version of a similar concept. And while I'm being cautiously optimistic, I hope they don't simply pull a Gotham/Smallville/Krypton and begin bringing all the conventional supervillains into the show. That always felt rather unoriginal.

[Batmon77]

Originally Posted by vertigop1ayer

I mean, The Batman was so good you kinda have to give this a chance, but it'd really need to be an upgrade from Gotham - not just be a bigger budgeted version of a similar concept. And while I'm being cautiously optimistic, I hope they don't simply pull a Gotham/Smallville/Krypton and begin bringing all the conventional supervillains into the show. That always felt rather unoriginal.

I guarantee they sprinkle in the some of Gotham's villains.

I highly doubt the Penguin is interesting enough as a solo character for 10 episodes.

All these super-hero/comic book shows feature character X for the fans to go "oh snap that's The Black Mask, Harvey Dent, Tony Zucco, Scarface, Victor Zsasz, Anarky, and Clock King....."

[JamesKurtovich]

Feels like we see more Batman side characters than Batman himself.

[Batmon77]

Originally Posted by JamesKurtovich

Feels like we see more Batman side characters than Batman himself.

Its a show for The Penguin.

Theres enough story in Gotham to not always make Batman the focus.

[Pieter V]

Craig Zobel in Talks to Direct ’The Penguin’ for HBO Max (EXCLUSIVE)

https://discussingfilm.net/2022/10/0...max-exclusive/

[drb999]

Cristin Milioti cast as Sofia Falcone

https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/the...ti-1235418372/

[Pieter V]

Production on “The Penguin” series begins in February, Farrell said, and will take around five or six months.

https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/col...an-1235480534/

[Pieter V]

Colin Farrell Reveals 'Batman 2' and 'The Penguin' HBO Max Series Trajectory - YouTube

8 episodes and filming starts Feb 28th.

[drb999]

Clancy Brown cast as Salvatore Maroni

https://deadline.com/2023/03/the-pen...ni-1235278230/

[Pieter V]

Colin Farrell filming the PENGUIN in New York City - YouTube