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The DC Studios logo is located in a rainy Gotham alley
Scenario
Following the events of The Batman (2022), Oz Cobb, aka. the Penguin, makes a play to take over the Gotham crime world. From melting makeup to filming in freezing temperatures, Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti share how they became characters during the production of “The Penguin.” Colin Farrell fought hard to have his version of The Penguin smoke tobacco in The Batman (2022), but was unsuccessful. However, for his own series, the character is depicted as a casual tobacco user, with a preference for cigars. An umbrella falls and the logo transforms into the Warner Bros.
Featured in Graham Norton Likes: Lady Gaga/Demi Moore/Colin Farrell/Richard Ayoade/Jack Savoretti (2024)
logo. HBO’s new show The Penguin, a spinoff of Matt Reeves’ The Batman (2022), is a thrilling dive into Gotham City’s criminal underworld. Led by Colin Farrell as the title character Oswald Cobblepot, aka The Penguin, the series expands on the dark and noirish tone set by the film and offers fans a new but familiar experience in the Batman universe. Unlike most superhero content, The Penguin focuses on the darker, more human elements of Gotham’s criminal underworld, moving away from the caped crusader to highlight the rise of one of Batman’s most notorious foes. Set after the events of The Batman, the series explores Penguin’s journey to fill the power vacuum left in Gotham’s criminal empire.
Colin Farrell’s Performance Colin Farrell’s portrayal of Penguin is nothing short of remarkable
With the death of Carmine Falcone and Gotham’s infrastructure in chaos, Penguin seizes the opportunity to rise through the ranks, determined to assert his control over the city’s crime syndicates. His transformation from underboss to crime lord is the main focus, giving Penguin a mafia drama vibe more akin to The Sopranos than a traditional superhero series. The show smartly avoids leaning too heavily on Batman’s shadow, allowing Penguin to really shine as a leader. Without the overbearing presence of Gotham’s protector, it creates a new and interesting dynamic, where Oswald is free to operate in a morally ambiguous space. This narrative shift feels new for the genre and adds depth to Gotham’s crime world without focusing too much on superhero spectacle.
aesthetic that fans loved about The Batman
Physically unrecognizable in his prosthetic makeup, Farrell fully inhabits the character with a nuanced performance that balances the brutality of a mob boss with the insecurities and ambition that drive him. The Penguin is no longer just a caricature of a deformed, umbrella-wielding villain; instead, he’s portrayed as a ruthless, calculated player in Gotham’s criminal hierarchy, making him both terrifying and oddly sympathetic. Farrell brings layers to the character, going beyond the stereotypical villain portrayal. His Oswald Cobblepot is cunning, manipulative, and ready to break bones, but he’s also a man driven by a deep-rooted inferiority complex and a desire for respect. Watching him navigate the treacherous waters of Gotham’s criminal underworld is compelling and provides a grounded approach to character, making The Penguin a fascinating character study.
Gotham’s dark, crime-ridden streets are beautifully shot, with an emphasis on realism over comic book extravagance
The tone of the series is dark, violent, and charged with tension, reminiscent of neo-noir crime thrillers. Every scene is steeped in Gotham’s corruption and decay, and it feels like danger lurks in every shadow. The production design is top-notch, with sets that feel like a natural extension of Reeves’ Gotham City story. The grimy clubs, dilapidated alleyways, and lavish mansions of crime lords all add to the show’s immersive feel.
