HBO Max Developing 'The Batman' Spinoff Series About 'The Penguin'

[Outsiders]

Colin Farrell is set to play the notorious supervillain The Penguin in 'The Batman' with Robert Pattinson as The Dark Knight and will also be playing the character in 'The Penguin' spinoff series for HBO Max.

The project is in the early stages of development and is being executive produced by Dylan Clark and Matt Reeves. It comes from Reeves’ 6th and Idaho, Dylan Clark Productions, DC Entertainment, and Warner Bros. Television.  Lauren LeFranc (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D) is set to showrun the project.

Sources are describing the feel of the series as 'Scarface-like' as it shows the rise of the Penguin character.

The Penguin, otherwise known as Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot, is a dapper mob boss and one of Batman’s primary villains.  Colin Farrell is set to play him in The Batman, where the disfigured crime lord is not yet the crime kingpin and dislikes being referred to as the Penguin. In the movie, which is due out in March 2022 and is set in Batman’s second year of crime-fighting, Farrell reportedly wears a fat suit and is described as unrecognizable.

Source: Deadline

[lordtom]

We will literally get a show about the janitors at Wayne Ent. Before we get a damn Batman series 

[TRIP780]

Not sure if the rise of penguin wil hold as a series. There are more interring rogues, Zasz and Black Mask , who are not as well known have more depth for a series than Penguin as you already get the gist of the character as it’s been told between Batman returns, Gotham and the animated series.

[Outsiders]

Variety is reporting that Colin Farrell has officially signed on to reprise his role of The Penguin in the upcoming 'The Penguin' spinoff series for HBO Max.  Farrell will also executive produce the series spinoff.

Farrell will be playing the notorious supervillain The Penguin in 'The Batman' with Robert Pattinson as The Dark Knight, which is due to be released on March 4, 2022.

The series would then reportedly delve into The Penguin’s rise to power in the Gotham criminal underworld.

Lauren LeFranc is writing the script for the series.  Besides Farrell, 'The Batman' director Matt Reeves and the film’s producer Dylan Clark would executive produce the series under their 6th & Idaho and Dylan Clark Productions banners respectively. Warner Bros. Television would produce.

[deecee4]

Maybe wait until the movie and his portrayal is well recieved before committing to a series.

[Satam]

1 hour ago, deecee4 said:

Maybe wait until the movie and his portrayal is well recieved before committing to a series.

What do you mean? It's already been well-received by desperate Warner Bros executives looking to put more on HBO Max to compete with the Marvel shows on Disney Plus.

[JayC]

HBO Max has given a straight-to-series order to THE PENGUIN (working title), a limited series starring Colin Farrell in the title role. The DC drama expands upon the world filmmaker Matt Reeves has created for Warner Bros. Pictures’ global blockbuster “The Batman” and centers on the character played by Farrell in the film.

The series is executive produced by Matt Reeves, Dylan Clark, Colin Farrell, and Lauren LeFranc, who writes and serves as showrunner. Based on characters created for DC by Bob Kane with Bill Finger, THE PENGUIN is produced by Reeves’ 6th & Idaho Productions and Dylan Clark Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television, where Reeves and 6th & Idaho are under an overall deal. 6th & Idaho’s Daniel Pipski and Adam Kassan also serve as executive producers, and Rafi Crohn is co-executive producer.

Sarah Aubrey, Head of Original Content, HBO Max quote: “We are thrilled to bring audiences a new version of this iconic DC character that they have never seen before. 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.”

Matt Reeves quote: “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. Dylan and I are so excited to work with Lauren in continuing Oz’s story as he grabs violently for power in Gotham.”

Lauren LeFranc quote: “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. 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.”

Colin Farrell quote: “The world that Matt Reeves created for ‘The Batman’ is one that warrants a deeper gaze through the eyes of Oswald Cobblepot. 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.”

Released in theaters in North America on March 4, 2022, and internationally beginning March 2, 2022, “The Batman” grossed $134 million at the North American box office and $124 million internationally in its first weekend for a $258 million global launch. The critically acclaimed film, starring Robert Pattinson, is certified fresh at 86% on Rotten Tomatoes from more than 390 reviews.

[lordtom]

After watching the film I can honestly say 'bring it on'. His portrayal was spectacular and they can set up stuff for The batman 2: Elctric bugaloo

[ghostbogey]

Who???....;^)

[SpiderS]

I mean minor spoilers but movie does set up this series in a way, even tho it seemed it will be more of a sequel thing, I just hope we get some Batman in there.

[McYote]

I personally loved The Batman. I'll be looking forward to the Penguin series but I hope they don't try to good guy-ify him like Sony's been doing to Spidey's villains

[Outsiders]

Cristin Milioti will play the female lead opposite Colin Farrell in the DC original limited drama series The Penguin, a spinoff of Matt Reeves’ The Batman for HBO Max.

Milioti will play Sofia Falcone, daughter of Carmine Falcone, who is fighting with The Penguin (Farrell) for control of the city.

Source: Deadline

[RickytheRockstar]

i find this really disappointing, Sofia is such a cool looking character in the comics and animation, big and bulky and unique looking, perfect chance to give the part to someone "different", but nope they chose to go with skinny and "attractive", that's a shame, there's way too many of those type of characters already.

[rono]

When this series was initially proposed, there was mention that other members of Batman's rogues' gallery would be featured. I had to think that Scarecrow, Mad Hatter, Poison Ivy, Two-Face, Bane, Mr. Freeze, & The Ventriloquist w/ Scarface might be in that potential line up. So far, nothing. I know that Mr. Freeze has been discussed as the primary villain in the next BATMAN movie, but nothing else. I guess we'll see what develops. 

[Outsiders]

Michael Kelly, Shohreh Aghdashloo, and Deirdre O’Connell have joined the cast of the HBO Max original series The Penguin (working title), from Warner Bros Television and DC Studios.

The trio is the newest cast to join Colin Farrell, who plays the title character, Cristin Milioti, who plays female lead Sofia Falcone, and Rhenzy Feliz, who is believed to be playing a teen whom The Penguin befriends and makes his driver.

The eight-episode drama continues the Batman crime saga Matt Reeves began with Warner Bros Pictures’ The Batman and centers on the character played by Farrell in the film.

The series is executive produced by Matt Reeves, Dylan Clark, Colin Farrell, and Lauren LeFranc, who writes and serves as showrunner. Based on characters created for DC by Bob Kane with Bill Finger, THE PENGUIN is produced by Reeves’ 6th & Idaho Productions and Dylan Clark Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television, where Reeves and 6th & Idaho are under an overall deal. 6th & Idaho’s Daniel Pipski and Adam Kassan also serve as executive producers, and Rafi Crohn is a co-executive producer.

Source: Deadline

[rono]

Initially, THE PENGUIN series on HBO was going to focus on his rise in Gotham's underworld and into a major player, plus introduce some additional members of Batman's Rogues' Gallery. We've yet to hear about any of those villains, so I guess Reeves has decided to take another path, which is disappointing. I hope we don't get "GOTHAM-Lite" from the first two seasons of that TV show. Rumors are all over the place about what villains will be in THE BATMAN PART II. Mr. Freeze was kicked around and recently, Hush, Talon (Court of Owls), Scarecrow, & Two-Face have been mentioned. I think they'll need a female lead to play opposite Pattinson's Batman, like Poison Ivy, Punchline, Harley Quinn, or the return of Catwoman to round out the cast. 

[Outsiders]

Clancy Brown has signed on to recur the role of Salvatore Maroni in the Max Original limited drama series 'The Penguin' from Warner Bros. Television and DC Studios.

The character of Maroni appeared in American comic books published by DC Comics. He’s a powerful mob boss and gangster in Gotham City and an enemy of Batman. He was also the one who disfigured poor Harvey Dent.

Brown joins a cast that includes Colin Farrell, who plays the title character, Cristin Milioti, who plays female lead Sofia Falcone, and Rhenzy Feliz, who is believed to be playing a teen whom The Penguin befriends and makes his driver.

Source: Deadline

[Satam]

Clancy is such an underrated actor. The guy is just excellent. And I didn't know Cristin Milioti was going to be in this. She was pretty amazing in Made for Love. Damn shame that got cancelled.

[RickytheRockstar]

17 hours ago, Satam said:

Clancy is such an underrated actor. The guy is just excellent. And I didn't know Cristin Milioti was going to be in this. She was pretty amazing in Made for Love. Damn shame that got cancelled.

he really is, i recently watched/listed to the "Inside of You" podcast interview with him and Micheal Rosenbaum, he seems like a really great guy

but Cristin Milioti, i'm really annoyed with her casting, Sofia is such a unique looking female character, and they get a pretty/skinny actress to play her, it's a real waste in a chance to cast someone that's different looking. i never seen Gotham but it seems they did they same thing.

[Outsiders]

Variety has learned that Michael Zegen, James Madio, and Scott Cohen have joined HBO Max's The Penguin series with recurring roles.

The trio joins an ensemble cast that includes lead Colin Farrell, who will reprise the role of Oswald “The Penguin” Cobblepot from “The Batman, as well as Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz, Michael Kelly, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Deirdre O’Connell, and Clancy Brown.

HBO Max is being quiet about character details but sources within are saying that Zegen is set to play Alberto Falcone.

Alberto is the son of Gotham City crime boss Carmine Falcone, who was played by John Turturro in “The Batman,” and the brother of Sofia Falcone, who will be played by Milioti in “The Penguin.” In the comics, Alberto takes credit for being the serial killer known as The Holiday Killer, who targets Gotham gangsters on a holiday each month.

[Outsiders]

Deadline is reporting that Theo Rossi has signed up for a key recurring role in the HBO Max original series The Penguin (working title) from Warner Bros Television and DC Studios.

Details about Rossi’s character are not yet being revealed.

Rossi is credited with major roles in Marvel’s Luke Cage, Sons of Anarchy, and Army of the Dead.

[Goldbug]

On 3/10/2022 at 8:11 PM, McYote said:

I personally loved The Batman. I'll be looking forward to the Penguin series but I hope they don't try to good guy-ify him like Sony's been doing to Spidey's villains

I don't understand why these studios think we want to see villains in the main role.
I don't.

Kids don't want to buy villain figures (according to toy makers) hence the millions of Batmen etc.
They cancelled Doom Patrol & but keep this?? 

[Satam]

7 hours ago, Goldbug said:

I don't understand why these studios think we want to see villains in the main role.
I don't.

Kids don't want to buy villain figures (according to toy makers) hence the millions of Batmen etc.
They cancelled Doom Patrol & but keep this?? 

I'm totally fine seeing villains as protagonists. It's when the studio decides aren't allowed to stay villains, like in The Suicide Squad, Book of Boba Fett, etc - that's when I have a problem.