News on HBO Max’sThe Penguinhas been rather scarce since it was first announced back in March. Following the resounding success ofMatt Reeves’sThe Batmanfilm, Oswald Cobblepot was set to finally take the spotlight withColin Farrellreprising his role from the film. With the spinofffinding a directorinMare of Easttown’sCraig Zobel, it seems the series is still going forward despite the Warner Bros. shakeups, and Farrell gave everyone a bit of a teaser during Collider editor-in-chiefSteve Weintraub’s interview with he andBrendan Gleesonfor their hit filmThe Banshees of Inisherin.
After discussing his new film, the actor was asked about the status ofThe Penguingiven everything that’s happened over the past few months. He was able to give a positive update and talk about some behind-the-scenes processes, including what to expect with an apparently out there first episode:
Penguin? Shooting here in New York. I think if it goes ahead, I read the first episode, which is just so tasty and so unusual as the character was on the page and what Matt Reeves kind of envisioned when he was thinking of this iteration of the bang up of Oz. So yeah, it’ll be, I think six or eight hours. I’m supposed to read episode two and three within the next week.
The new series is expected to explore the origins of Farrell’s Penguin and his rise to prominence as the head of a criminal empire once he ascends to power at the end of Reeves’s film. Anearly descriptionpegged it as a “Scarface-like” tale and, although greater details are still under wraps, it looks to continue the unique twist on the character originally introduced inThe Batman. Farrell’s unrecognizable appearance in the film was a big hit with fans, though Farrell also testified to how much he enjoyed being able to let loose, adding, “It was just so much fun. It was just unbridled. I had so much permission to just do whatever.“The Penguinwould give him more freedom to explore the character and create more trouble for Batman along the way in Reeves' darker adaptation of Gotham.
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Moreover, Farrell had plenty more praise to heap on Reeves' direction and the people around him. Reeves made a stellar impression on Farrell during their time together working onThe Batman, but it was wondered how much time the director would be able to give with work expected to begin on a sequel film. Despite the direction falling to Zobel in the spinoff, Farrell assured that Reeves' presence will be felt, adding:
And just a really good company of people. And Matt Reeves is all over it. And sure Matt is borderline OCD when it comes to his focus and trying to do something new and original and with feeling and aesthetic and all that good stuff. So it would be, I would love, I had such a blast doing that, Steve.
The Penguinwill hopefully begin shooting in 2023 in what’s sure to be an extensive production. Check out our conversation with Farrell forThe Batmanbelow, and look out for more from our chat with Farrell and Gleesonsoon.
