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The DC Universe has a lot of films and series that may require a rewatch or two in order to get the most value out of them, for one reason or another, changing significantly on a second viewing. Compared to other superhero properties, DC movies and TV shows seem altogether more willing to take risks with their production, not content to sit back and reap the rewards of a "safe" narrative custom-built to please fans. Whether this is a good or a bad thing remains up in the air, as revisiting certain DC projects can often reveal.

DC movies and TV shows can change dramatically on subsequent viewings for one reason or another. Some rich narratives simply require multiple viewings to get the full amount of enjoyment out of, whereas others are more interesting with the context of future films or behind-the-scenes drama that is more clearly evident the second time around.

Theo Rossi's Dr. Julian Rush quickly emerged as one of The Penguin's most intriguing supporting characters; he was also a complete creep and someone with a weird, unhealthy infatuation with his former - and, as it happened, current - Arkham patient, Sofia Falcone. 

Rush was an original creation for the series and, contrary to online theories, wasn't ultimately revealed as Dr. Hugo Strange. However, evidence later surfaced (which you can see below) suggesting he was either meant to be Dr. Jonathan Crane or at least someone with close ties to Scarecrow.

The Penguin's fourth episode - "Cent'Anni" - featured both Scarecrow's mask and his syringe glove on two stands. 

Given the obvious similarities between Bliss and Scarecrow's fear drug, could The Batman 2 reveal that Crane is secretly working in Arkham under the fake moniker of "Julian Rush"? Unfortunately, the popular suggestion has just been debunked by showrunner Lauren LeFranc.

The Penguin was billed as a limited series but amid rave reviews and record-high viewership for HBO, there was chatter about a possible season 2 before the finale even aired.

We'd expected that to bridge the gap between The Batman 2 and The Batman 3, but with the former pushed to 2027, there's a chance The Penguin could reach us before Matt Reeves' sequel.

Talking to TVLine on the Golden Globes red carpet yesterday evening, executive producer Dylan Clark confirmed that there have been "quiet conversations" about bringing the award-winning series back for another season.

"If we could come up with an idea for what a second season might be, there’s a chance that [HBO CEO] Casey Bloys and the HBO team would want to pursue that," Clark said. "There have been quiet conversations about that."

The Penguin showrunner Lauren LeFranc later said, "I mean, you know, I wrote it as a limited series.

After winning a Golden Globe for his performance in The Penguin, Colin Farrell has earned a distinction only a few DC villain actors have before. Namely, both Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix won Golden Globes for their performances as the Joker in The Dark Knight and Joker, respectively. In a press conference, Farrell addressed joining this club of talented actors:

Two-one to the Joker. Two-one to the Joker takes it. No, I mean you mentioned two actors who are, I think, for my money, two of the most extraordinary, talented, gifted, and just brilliant artists in film that I've ever had the fortune to observe and be affected by, you know. What Heath did in Chris Nolan's Dark Knight was extraordinary and will live on for future generations. And what Joaquin did with Joker was—as exemplified by all the awards that he won and the Oscar—extraordinary. He was so special,...

The Penguin's Colin Farrell took home a Golden Globe for "Best Male Actor in a Limited Series," after continuing his role of Oz Cobb/The Penguin from The Batman. During his acceptance speech, the actor shouted out showrunner Lauren LeFranc, costar Cristin Milioti, and The Batman director, Matt Reeves, quipping that the latter would "kill [him] if [he doesn't] thank him." Farrell also thanked the hair and makeup team responsible for his transformation into the Penguin, which he stated took three hours, and joked about continuing to wear prosthetics for the role "from here on out."

#ThePenguin star Colin Farrell wins Best Male Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series - Made for TV Movie at the 2025 #GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/yRG8AruetX— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) January 6, 2025

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The Penguin 9/10

Created by Lauren LeFranc, The Penguin is a crime-drama...

Showrunner Lauren LeFranc addresses The Penguin's success and reveals whether she would like to make a similar project centered around another DC character. The Penguin is the first spinoff in Matt Reeves' The Batman universe. Although Robert Pattinson's Batman doesn't appear in The Penguin, the series continues to build the gritty Gotham City established by 2022's The Batman, and subtly sets up Matt Reeves' The Batman - Part II with a deeper look into Gotham's criminal underworld and a shake-up in the hierarchy of the city's organized crime.

Speaking to ScreenRant at the 2025 Golden Globes, The Penguin showrunner Lauren LeFranc expresses her satisfaction with the show's overwhelmingly positive reception. LeFranc defends The Penguin's limited series nature and confirms that a direct follow-up will only be made with "the right idea or the right characters". LeFranc also says she would "be honored" to helm a new project in Matt Reeves' The Batman universe,...

Though The Penguin followed Colin Farrell as Oz Cobb/The Penguin, Cristin Milioti stole the show as Sofia Falcone. Wrongfully sent to Arkham asylum by her father, mob boss Carmine Falcone, she is out for power and revenge, and Oz is a major obstacle on her way to dominating Gotham's criminal underworld. While The Penguin is arguably Oz's show, audiences were captivated by Sofia and her tragic life story, which ended with her back in Arkham Asylum.

Naturally, that brings the question: What's next for Sofia? Recently, Milioti spoke with IndieWire about her character's future:

It just seemed like there are infinite possibilities of where she could go. Obviously I would want to see her get out of Arkham. That’s like number one. I don’t want her in there. So I want to see her get out there, and then exact revenge. Maybe now she would be even more of a loose cannon,...

Batman is one of the most popular superheroes in the DC Universe and, despite not receiving a live-action film, the character had many incredible appearances throughout 2024. Batman is beloved as a brilliant, rich martial artist with incredible dedication to his city and his craft. After a series of live-action Batman performances in the past, it appears that even more are ahead. Updates on The Batman Part II confirm it is scheduled for 2026, with another iteration in The Brave and the Bold to follow sometime in the years that follow.

With confirmation of a Clayface movie at DC Studios, more and more iterations of Batman and his villains appear to be ahead. While Joker: Folie à Deux did not live up to all expectations, it is incredible to see so much ancillary Batman content being made. While Batman is the heart of his own franchise, the roster of characters that...

The Penguin just might be getting another season!

The HBO series from DC Studios stars Colin Farrell as Oz Cobb (aka The Penguin), and is a continuation of the saga that filmmaker Matt Reeves began with the global blockbuster The Batman.

Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz, Michael Kelly, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Deirdre O’Connell, Clancy Brown, James Madio, Scott Cohen, Michael Zegen, Carmen Ejogo, and Theo Rossi all star.

Following the conclusion of the show’s first season, many viewers are curious if it will continue on for a second season.

Keep reading to find out more…

HBO has not currently renewed The Penguin for Season 2, but The Batman‘s director spoke to the story’s continuation in an interview in November.

“I always said we’re going to continue [the Penguin’s] story,” Matt Reeves recently told Esquire.

“Initially, the idea was to continue it in the next film (The Batman Part II...

This year's Golden Globes nominations were announced earlier today, and The Penguin star Cristin Milioti picked up a nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series for her show-stealing turn as Sofia Falcone.

THR caught up with Milioti - who was nominated in her category alongside Cate Blanchett (Disclaimer), Jodie Foster (True Detective: Night Country), Sofía Vergara (Griselda), Naomi Watts (Feud: Capote Vs. The Swans) and Kate Winslet (The Regime) - for her response to the news.

“It was very exciting, very exciting. And just very, very joyful. My God, the women in my category. I don’t have words to describe how surreal it is and how overwhelmed I am being nominated alongside them. They’re all so brilliant.”

In the season finale of The Penguin, Oz Cobb (Colin Farrell) arranges for Sofia to be sent back to Arkham. Despite appearing to resign herself to a grim future behind bars,...

One of British cinema's most beloved and instantly recognizable faces, Tom Hardy has carved out a niche for himself as one of Hollywood's most sought-after names. Earning his reputation off the back of an array of superb performances, the actor has breathed life into a diverse array of film characters across multiple genres. A frequent collaborator with Christopher Nolan, Hardy's best movies have seen him produce acclaimed bows in the likes of The Revenant, Mad Max: Fury Road, and Warrior.

While Tom Hardy is primarily known for his work on the silver screen, he has also featured in several prominent television shows. Hardy actually made his acting debut in one of the most lauded and influential miniseries of all time with a minor appearance in HBO's Band of Brothers, with the Englishman going on to have roles in the acclaimed likes of Peaky Blinders and Taboo in tandem with his film career.

The Batman featured a tense exchange between Lieutenant Jim Gordon and Oz Cobb, and we're sure the incorruptible Gcpd officer will be as shocked as anyone to learn that the mobster is now Gotham City's Kingpin.

The Penguin TV series was a 10/10 series in the eyes of most fans but the absence of characters like Batman and Gordon was undeniably distracting. While The Batman Part II might explain their absence, a cameo from one of both in the HBO series would have been welcomed and gone a long way in creating a greater feeling of connectivity.

Talking to Inverse, Jim Gordon actor Jeffrey Wright confirmed, "There was no talk of my being in this first season." Asked if he'd be on board for a potential second season, the actor replied, "Who knows? We'll see what happens down the line, but I'm juggling enough balls as it is."

HBO is said...

A couple of screenshots from the fourth episode of The Penguin were shared online recently after a fan noticed what looked a lot like the Scarecrow's mask and glove from the Arkham video games in Doctor Julian Rush's office.

YouTuber BobaTalks later weighed-in, claiming that there were early plans to make Rush Doctor Jonathan Crane. We're not sure if there's any truth to this, but the show's production designer, Kalina Ivanov, has now responded to the fan-theory.

Ivanov didn't confirm or deny anything, but did say that they "left it open to interpretation," which suggests that the items on the table could well be inspired by the fear-inducing Batman villain.

Does this mean Rush is actually supposed to be the Scarecrow? That's probably a bit of a leap, but who knows what Matt Reeves and Lauren LeFranc have in store for the character?

Wow...

The Penguin showrunner Lauren LeFranc recently opened up about the decision to include Rhenzy Feliz's Victor Aguilar in the series.

In an interview with Comic Book Resources, LeFranc explained:

I was really interested in a mentor-mentee relationship for Oz. I think in the criminal world, young men are brought up and sort of raised into it, and I think questions like why a kid like Victor would be interested in a world like this, and I always viewed their first interaction as a distorted, neat-cute. I did think when I first started to come up with Victor and this concept, "Why doesn't Oz get a Robin? Batman gets one."

That is sort of where I started: that Oz himself would say that he is deserving of a mentee and to shepherd somebody in. I also thought about the power dynamic: it's no accident that Oz has taken a kid...

Spoilers for the recent season finale of The Penguin follow.

Despite Selina Kyle getting a mention in the final episode of The Penguin, it seems there are no current plans for another The Batman spin-off series focusing on Zoë Kravitz's take on the Dark Knight's feline foe.

In "A Great or Little Thing," Sofia Falcone is sent back to Arkham after Oz Cobb arranges to have her arrested. Despite initially appearing to resign herself to a grim future behind bars, Sofia is given a glimmer of hope in the form of a letter from her half-sister, Selina Kyle. The contents of the letter are not disclosed, but the smile on Sofia's face suggests that Catwoman might have suggested a team-up.

"In the end, I did want to leave Sofia with a level of hope," showrunner Lauren LeFranc told The Wrap in a recent interview. "I mean, our show...

Theo Rossi's Dr. Julian Rush is one of The Penguin's most intriguing supporting characters; he's also a complete creep and someone with a weird, unhealthy infatuation with his former - and now current - patient, Sofia Falcone. 

Rush was created for this series and, contrary to online theories, wasn't ultimately revealed as Dr. Hugo Strange. However, new evidence has surfaced which suggests he was either meant to be Dr. Jonathan Crane or at least someone with close ties to Scarecrow.

As you can see below, episode 4 - "Cent'Anni" - features both Scarecrow's mask and his syringe glove on two stands. That wasn't there in the second episode, and as the eagle-eyed Redditor who spotted this points out, Sofia barges into his office in episode 4 unannounced (suggesting Julian didn't have time to hide them). 

Given the obvious similarities between Bliss and Scarecrow's fear drug, could The Batman Part II...

HBO's The Batman spin-off series, The Penguin, makes it very clear that Oz Cobb is not a fan of his derogatory nickname, but star Colin Farrell has now revealed that the recent season finale was originally going to show the villain embracing the moniker.

While chatting to Cinemablend, the Irish actor first explained why Oz hates the Penguin name so much, before describing a scene that didn't make the final cut.

"There was a scene in the eighth episode where a kid says, 'you're the Penguin, aren't you,' and then something about his mother. And then I say to him at the end of the scene, 'you tell your mom the Penguin takes care of his own.'"

After removing all obstacles on his rise to the top of Gotham's criminal underworld, Oz does begin to dress more like his comic book counterpart, donning the tux and top hat...

There was quite a bit of anticipation for The Penguin following the massive success and popularity of The Batman, but we're not sure anyone was expecting the HBO series to strike such a chord with viewers, and a lot of fans seem to feel that the show might actually better than Matt Reeves' film.

Not everyone was won over, however, and some have criticised the violent spin-off for attempting to emulate other villain-focused crime dramas such as The Sopranos and Breaking Bad(?), while falling short.

Others are of the opinion that The Penguin never really felt like it was playing out in the same universe as The Batman, and that an appearance from (or even a couple of mentions of) the Dark Knight would have helped to establish a similar tone.

The Penguin's finale episode, "A Great or Little Thing," aired on Sunday, and the show concluded with Oz...

Some interesting news for The Penguin fans. Off the cusp of HBO dropping the Season 1 finale of the series, which is also now being streamed on Max, actor Colin Farrell is talking about the idea of returning to the show, after all.

More on this, below.

The Penguin Season 2 Spoilers – Colin Farrell Has Spoken About This Before

Farrell has talked about no longer playing the DC villain in a possible Season 2 of The Penguin (or The Batman Part II) in the past.

Still, it looks like he has had a change of heart. The actor recently stated he would only think about coming back if Season 2’s story surpassed Season 1.

This choice may have been influenced by the positive review the HBO series is getting. Currently, The Penguin holds a “Tomatometer” rating of 95 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

Via THR, Farrell states, “If there’s a great idea [for season two], and the writing...

The Penguin concluded last night with an eventful finale that set Oz Cobb on a path to an inevitable confrontation with Robert Pattinson's Dark Knight, and the show's EP and The Batman's director Matt Reeves has now weighed in on the episode's biggest moments and how they may connect to his sequel.

Reeves also revealed that the final episode's big character death was originally going to play out very differently.

Major spoilers follow.

Towards the end of "A Great or Little Thing," Oz shares a drink with his protégé Victor, before brutally murdering the young man. Vic was loyal to Cobb and had come to view the gangster as family, which was what tragically sealed his fate.

However, showrunner Lauren LeFranc had initially pitched an idea what would have seen the two becoming enemies prior to Vic's death.

"The one thing that was slightly different was [regarding how] Vic died.

HBO's The Penguin limited series concluded (though there is talk of a second season) last night with a shocking finale that saw Oz Cobb (Colin Farrell) establish himself as the new kingpin of Gotham's criminal underworld - but at great cost to those around him and whatever hope of redemption he may have had left.

After first getting Sofia Falcone Gigante (Cristin Milioti) out of his way by arranging for her to be arrested and sent back to Arkham, Oz decided that he couldn't leave any more room for vulnerability and risk his enemies exploiting a weakness, murdering his young protégé Victor (Rhenzy Feliz) in chillingly brutal fashion.

While speaking to Collider, Feliz revealed that he was told about his character's fate right from the very beginning.

"Honestly, from the moment that I heard it, I just found it awesome. I would hope that it’s such a twist for people that it’s surprising.

Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti) may have survived the events of The Penguin finale, but she was arguably delivered a fate worse than death when Oz Cobb (Colin Farrell) arranged for her to be sent back to Arkham.

Despite appearing to resign herself to a grim future behind bars, Sofia is given a glimmer of hope in the form of a letter from her half-sister, Selina Kyle (Zoë Kravitz). The contents of the letter are not disclosed, but the smile on Sofia's face suggests that Catwoman might have a plan to get her out.

"In the end, I did want to leave Sofia with a level of hope," showrunner Lauren LeFranc tells The Wrap. "I mean, our show is a tragedy and her end, I think, should feel tragic. But when she receives the letter from Selina Kyle — you know the fact that her entire arc in our show has been...

Well, are you still rooting for Oz?

The Penguin season finale, "A Great or Little Thing," saw Oz Cobb finally claw his way to the top of Gotham City's criminal underworld, but he left a lot of bodies on the ground to achieve his goals - including that of his protégé.

Victor met a tragic end when Oz decided it would be better to kill the young man who admired him so much than risk being made to look weak and vulnerable again after his love for his mother was used against him.

While chatting to THR about his character's shocking actions, star Colin Farrell explained why he believes Oz felt the need to remove Vic from his life for good.

"The areas that are gray are the most interesting areas to operate from, and I think certainty is death sometimes. You might have a clear idea on what a scene is about,...

Following last night's shocking, and oftentimes harrowing, season finale of The Penguin, Max has released a new featurette taking a deep dive into "A Great or Little Thing" (you can read our full spoiler recap here).

As you might expect, Oz Cobb's decision to murder Victor "Vic" Aguilar in cold blood is a major talking point. The teenager has seen Oz at his most vulnerable and the villain decides that keeping him around will make him weak; he then cruelly strangles Vic to death despite the fact he wouldn't have reached the top of Gotham City's underworld without his help.

"Towards the end of the show, Victor has seen Oz at his most vulnerable," showrunner Lauren LeFranc explains in the video below. "The two of those guys have been through everything together. Someone seeing his vulnerability feels like a weakness and, in Oz's opinion, he cannot achieve what he feels...

HBO's The Penguin limited series wrapped-up tonight with a shocking finale that saw Oz Cobb (Colin Farrell) establish himself as the new king of Gotham's criminal underworld - at the cost of whatever shred of humanity he may have had left.

After first getting Sofia Falcone Gigante (Cristin Milioti) out of his way by sending her back to Arkham, Oz decided that he couldn't leave any more room for weakness, murdering his young protégé Victor (Rhenzy Feliz) even as he begged for his life.

We then see Oz return to his penthouse after spending the evening with his new high-society associates, now more delusional than ever as he dances with Eve Karlo (Carmen Ejogo) - who is dressed in his mom's clothes - while his actual mother (Deirdre O’Connell) lies in a vegetative state upstairs.

Oz believes himself to be untouchable now, but the finale concludes with a shot of...

If youre looking for a quick assessment of The Penguins final episode, know this: its the very definition of a perfect episode of TV. Not just DC TV, not just comic book TV its so good that it might feel impossible from the outside. And this is a show that already had an episode I proclaimed the best DC episode of all time. At times, The Penguin has been a difficult show to watch; as challenging and provocative as it has been excellent. With episode 8, that sentiment has very much grown.

Set in the immediate aftermath of The Penguin episode 7's explosive cliffhanger ending, with Gotham once more in ruins and Oz's empire falling around him, the finale sees Sofia and Cobb's conflict come to a head. To recap, Oz was taken by Sofias men and a harrowing showdown planned between the Penguin and his mother over the deaths of his brothers.

Comedian and “Workaholics” star Adam Devine will host the American Veterans Center’s 2024 Veterans Day broadcast special, “American Valor: A Salute to Our Heroes.”

“I’m so happy that we have military men and women who were able to keep us safe. If it were up to my heroic deeds, we would be speaking a different language and all have bad haircuts,” said Devine. “I’ve always looked up to veterans. It’s not only because I am height challenged. Their sacrifices are why I am able to do what I do and be who I am.”

Other celebrities who will appear during the broadcast, which airs the weekend of Saturday, Nov. 16, include Rachael Harris, Taylor Kitsch, Matthew Leitch, James Madio, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Jb Smoove, Sawyer Spielberg and Aisha Tyler. Jessica Chastain, Morgan Freeman, Matthew McConaughey, Liam Neeson, Tyler Perry, Chris Pine and William Shatner will all lend their voices to the event,...

Following The Batman's hugely successful theatrical run, director Matt Reeves announced that a number of small-screen spin-offs were in the works, including The Penguin, a Gotham Pd series, and a project focusing on the infamous Arkham Asylum.

Only one of these ended up moving forward (The Penguin season finale airs next week), but executive producer Dylan Clark recently indicated that early plans are in place for another show set in "The Batman Epic Crime Saga," and Reeves has now confirmed that more shows are being discussed.

Andy Serkis (Alfred) asked Reeves if a second season of The Penguin is on the cards or whether he plans to take us "into Gotham through another lens" while speaking to the filmmaker for InterviewMagazine.com.

"We have been talking, and it’s exciting because people are now embracing the show. My fantasy is coming into being, which is very exciting, and HBO...

Following last night's explosive episode of The Penguin, Max has shared a minute-long promo for the season finale. Title "Great or Little Thing," it looks like the war between Oz Cobb and Sofia Gigante will finally reach its violent, shocking climax.

That was to be expected, of course, but who will emerge as the victor remains to be seen. We know The Penguin is meant to lead directly into The Batman Part II but that doesn't necessarily mean Oz will be set up as Gotham City's new crime boss.

Talking to Esquire, Cristin Milioti was asked why Sofia spares Francis but still decides to create another catastrophe by detonating that bomb in "Top Hat."

"It’s what I was talking about earlier with villains in this universe - having so much hurt and wanting to exert that," she explains. "What makes them such good nemeses is that they know the...

HBO's The Penguin is one of the most consistent TV shows ever made, not only in quality but in matching expectations. You can almost set your watch by some of the most familiar elements and, even after only 6 episodes, the seventh feels like a greatest hits compilation: a sharp burst of tragedy; Oz is confronted by his bad decisions; Sofia and Sal plot his downfall; death; Oz hits an all-time low point. But familiarity breeds no contempt for DC's best live-action show.

As we head towards the end of The Penguin, Oz's development from a low-level mobster to an actual kingpin has been impressively complex. Like The Sopranos, which has been the constant comparison point, Oz's story hasn't exactly been straightforward, and his consolidation of power has been made far more interesting by its obstacles as much as its progress.

The Penguin

Cast Scott Cohen, James Madio, Theo Rossi, Michael Kelly,...

The Penguin is a hit!

The HBO series from DC Studios stars Colin Farrell as Oz Cobb (aka The Penguin), and is a continuation of the saga that filmmaker Matt Reeves began with the global blockbuster The Batman.

Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz, Michael Kelly, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Deirdre O’Connell, Clancy Brown, James Madio, Scott Cohen, Michael Zegen, Carmen Ejogo, and Theo Rossi all star.

With just a few weeks left to go in the show’s first season, many viewers are curious if it will continue on for a second season.

Keep reading to find out more…

HBO has not currently renewed The Penguin for Season 2, but The Batman‘s director spoke to the story’s continuation in an interview.

“I always said we’re going to continue [the Penguin’s] story,” Matt Reeves recently told Esquire.

“Initially, the idea was to continue it in the next film (The Batman Part II...

This week's episode of The Penguin ended on a huge cliffhanger when Sofia Falcone tracked down Oz Cobb's beloved mother. You can read our full recap of "Gold Summit" here, but in this promo for next Sunday's "Top Hat," things look bleak for the gangster.

While Sofia Falcone plots with Dr. Julian Rush, Sal Maroni finally gets his hands on Oz and that surely won't end well for the villain.

A featurette has also been released which takes a deep dive into the sixth instalment, while a new poster focuses on The Penguin's leads, Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti, as the warring Oz and Sofia.

Why isn't Batman doing something about Bliss hitting the streets of Gotham City? That's a question we really hope The Batman Part II is going to address a couple of years from now.

Recently, The Direct caught up with The Penguin showrunner Lauren LeFranc and...

This week's episode of The Penguin ended on a huge cliffhanger when Sofia Falcone tracked down Oz Cobb's beloved mother. You can read our full recap of "Gold Summit" here, but in this promo for next Sunday's "Top Hat," things look bleak for the gangster.

While Sofia Falcone plots with Dr. Julian Rush, Sal Maroni finally gets his hands on Oz and that surely won't end well for the villain.

A featurette has also been released which takes a deep dive into the sixth instalment, while a new poster focuses on The Penguin's leads, Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti, as the warring Oz and Sofia.

Why isn't Batman doing something about Bliss hitting the streets of Gotham City? That's a question we really hope The Batman Part II is going to address a couple of years from now.

Recently, The Direct caught up with The Penguin showrunner Lauren LeFranc and...

Six episodes into The Penguin, DC's Batman spin-off has already cemented itself as the best live-action DC property that's ever been made for the small screen. Crucially, the story-telling also justifies the decision to make it a TV show rather than a movie set between Matt Reeves' first and second Batman movies. It is, effectively, like a historical drama, as epic as Rome's most glorious stories, with the same lust for blood, betrayal, and power as Game of Thrones.

The Penguin episode 6 starts with Oz in the ascendancy, working out of his new subterranean base of operations, with a grand plan to protect his interests: criminal unification. The "Gold Summit" of the title refers to a meeting between Gotham's gangs, but the episode deals with far larger story beats that affect all the major players.

The Penguin

Cast Scott Cohen, James Madio, Theo Rossi, Michael Kelly, Clancy Brown, Colin Farrell,...

Yesterday, The Batman star John Turturro revealed that he'd declined to reprise his role as Carmine Falcone in the HBO series because it features "a lot of violence towards women, and that's not my thing."

He'd add that it "happens off-screen [in The Batman]," though it took little time for DC fans to point out his apparent hypocrisy. Not only is The Penguin's Carmine far less violent than the one seen in The Batman, but Turturro's version violently attacked and choked Selina Kyle during the movie's final act.

Now, The Penguin showrunner Lauren LeFranc has responded to Turturro's comments - as diplomatically as possible - in an interview with The Wrap.

"I completely respect an actor who doesn’t want to take on a role for whatever their personal reasons," LeFranc started. "I only want people to join our show who are excited and want to further the story we’re trying to tell.

John Turturro played mobster Carmine Falcone in Matt Reeves’ The Batman, but he declined to reprise the role for The Penguin series. He told Variety that he had done “what I wanted with the role” and that the show included “a lot of violence towards women, and that’s not my thing.“

Although the character is rather brutal in The Batman, Turturro said much of it “happens off screen” and “it’s scarier that way.” The actor added that another reason why he didn’t return was not enough time in his schedule. “You can’t do everything you want to,” he said. Despite the death of Carmine Falcone in The Batman, the mobster does appear in The Penguin, with Mark Strong now playing the role in flashbacks.

Related Oz Cobb and Sofia Falcone go to war for control of Gotham’s criminal underbelly in the mid-season trailer for The Penguin...

John Turturro played ruthless Gotham City mob boss Carmine Falcone in The Batman, but he didn't reprise the role for HBO's The Penguin spin-off series, with Mark Strong taking over as a younger version of the character.

During a recent interview, showrunner Lauren LeFranc said that the decision to recast the role simply came down to a scheduling conflict.

"Well, practically, John was just unavailable to us. He had scheduling conflicts, and we couldn't make it work, but honestly, I'm so thrilled that we brought Mark Strong on. I think he's really good. Even though, maybe in the beginning when you first meet him, you might think, 'Oh. Well, for fans of The Batman, I'm so used to John Turturro,' and obviously John's a great actor, but I feel like the gravitas that Mark brings, it's different," she added. "It's very specific, and I hope, by the end of that episode,...

It was always going to be difficult for The Penguin episode 5 to hit the same stunning high of the previous chapter, but DC's best live-action show continues to soar. Showrunner Lauren LeFranc could have been forgiven for easing off, but instead the story draws in even tighter to Oz's precarious position, with a major development that sets up an exciting arc for the rest of the season.

This time out, The Penguin's action snaps back to the present after episode 4 explored Sofia Falcone's backstory. It's very much a piece-setting episode, as you'd expect from the midseason point of any show, but that doesn't mean The Penguin pulls its punches. As this excellent show continues to develop Oz's story, it's impossible not to be impressed.

The Penguin

Cast Scott Cohen, James Madio, Theo Rossi, Michael Kelly, Clancy Brown, Colin Farrell, Deirdre O'Connell, Rhenzy Feliz, Cristin Milioti, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Michael Zegen,...

HBO's The Penguin just released its midseason trailer, teasing an epic showdown between Oz Cobb, Sofia Falcone, and the Maronis. The first few episodes chronicled both struggling to take control over the criminal underworld of Gotham after the death of Carmine Falcone. As each other's biggest competition for the throne, Oz and Sofia will have to face each other downwinner takes Gotham.

The Penguin 8/10

Created by Lauren LeFranc, The Penguin is a crime-drama spin-off television series of 2022's film The Batman. Set shortly after the events of The Batman, Oz Cobb, A.K.A. the Penguin, begins his rise in the underworld of Gotham City as he contends with the daughter of his late boss, Carmine Falcone, for control of the crime family's empire.

Cast Scott Cohen, James Madio, Theo Rossi, Michael Kelly, Clancy Brown, Colin Farrell, Deirdre O'Connell, Rhenzy Feliz, Cristin Milioti, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Michael Zegen, Carmen EjogoRelease Date September 19, 2024Seasons 1Genres Drama,...

We're four episodes into The Penguin on HBO (you can read our recap of the latest instalment here) and the cable network has just released an action-packed new midseason trailer for The Batman spin-off at New York Comic Con.

With Oz Cobb's betrayal at the forefront of Sofia Falcone's mind, she's making a bid for Gotham City's underworld...and wants The Penguin dead! Oz, meanwhile, is looking to pick up the scraps and rallies his followers to take their city back from the Falcones and Maronis of the world.

All signs point to Gotham being plunged into chaos in the remaining episodes...which once again begs the question: where is Batman?

It's already been confirmed that the Dark Knight won't appear in The Penguin, but it's hard to shake the feeling his absence won't become a distraction as we get into the second half of the season.

"He's more of a specter in the city,...

We're four episodes into The Penguin on HBO (you can read our recap of the latest instalment here) and the cable network has just released an action-packed new midseason trailer for The Batman spin-off at New York Comic Con.

With Oz Cobb's betrayal at the forefront of Sofia Falcone's mind, she's making a bid for Gotham City's underworld...and wants The Penguin dead! Oz, meanwhile, is looking to pick up the scraps and rallies his followers to take their city back from the Falcones and Maronis of the world.

All signs point to Gotham being plunged into chaos in the remaining episodes...which once again begs the question: where is Batman?

It's already been confirmed that the Dark Knight won't appear in The Penguin, but it's hard to shake the feeling his absence won't become a distraction as we get into the second half of the season.

"He's more of a specter in the city,...

HBO unveiled a new midseason trailer and art for The Penguin, from Warner Bros. Television and DC Studios, today at New York Comic Con. New episodes debut Sundays on HBO and are available to stream on Max.

Starring Colin Farrell as Oz Cobb (aka “The Penguin”), the DC Studios series continues filmmaker Matt Reeves’ The Batman epic crime saga that began with Warner Bros. Pictures’ global blockbuster The Batman. Developed by showrunner Lauren LeFranc, the series centers on the character played by Farrell in the film.

The cast also includes Cristin Milioti (Sofia Falcone), Rhenzy Feliz (Victor Aguilar), Michael Kelly (Johnny Viti), Shohreh Aghdashloo (Nadia Maroni), Deirdre O’Connell (Francis Cobb), and Clancy Brown (Salvatore Maroni).

James Madio (Milos Grapa), Scott Cohen (Luca Falcone), Michael Zegen (Alberto Falcone), Carmen Ejogo (Eve Karlo), and Theo Rossi (Dr. Julian Rush) round out the cast.

The series is executive produced by Matt Reeves, Dylan Clark,...

Sofia Falcone will make Oz Cobb pay for his sins of the past, the rising crime queen avows in a midseason trailer for the HBO hit The Penguin, which airs Episode 5 of eight this Sunday.

Watch the trailer above, which debuted today at New York Comic Con.

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Headlined by Colin Farrell as Oz Cobb (aka “The Penguin”), the DC Studios series...

Following last night's somewhat harrowing hour of television, HBO has released a teaser promo for next week's episode of The Penguin, as Oz and Sofia both prepare to go to war.

The gripping "Cent’anni" revealed how Sofia wound up locked away in Arkham for so many years, with Oz betraying her trust by telling her father, Carmine, about her meeting with the reporter investigating the Hangman murders.

The ruthless mob boss decides to frame his own daughter for his crimes, and we witness Sofia slowly begin to unravel after enduring horrific abuse at the hands of Arkham's doctors.

This marks a major change to the comic book version of the character, as Sofia is every bit the psychotic killer her reputation suggests on the page.

The revelation that Oz was the one who killed her brother pushes Sofia over the edge, and she wipes out almost everyone in the...

The Penguin has bucked the trend of most comic book TV shows by refusing to sag in the middle. The inspired move that makes that possible is shifting focus away from Colin Farrell's Oz Cobb for a chapter dedicated almost entirely to Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti), who, so far, has proved to be a revelation. If you weren't convinced of that already, this episode will be the clincher. It is easily one of the most impressive episodes of DC TV I've ever seen.

Episode 4 takes a detour away from Oz's attempts to consolidate his rising power and refuses to build on the shocking confrontation of Oz by Nadia Maroni (Shohreh Aghdashloo). Instead, we head into Sofia's past and the Hangman crimes with an extended flashback that reintroduces Carmine Falcone, opens the doors of Arkham, and offers a brutal, sublime 60 minutes of premium TV.

The Penguin

Cast Scott Cohen, James Madio,...

The Penguin proves that DC is still obsessed with the oldest Batman insult out there. A direct follow-up to the events of Matt Reeves The Batman, The Penguin follows Oswald Cobbs rise to power in Gothams criminal underworld. Though Batman was previously able to stop the Riddlers killing spree, he could not prevent the destruction afterward. Riddlers destruction of Gothams seawall flooded the city and left parts of it inhabitable, leaving it as the perfect breeding ground for crime because of the lack of resources and law enforcement.

One character who is notably absent from The Penguin is Bruce Wayne himself. At the end of The Batman, he vows to help the citys recovery efforts and inspire hope for the citizens. However, he has yet to be seen in the first few episodes of The Penguin. This is clearly because Robert Pattinson isnt signed on to appear in the show,...

HBO has released some promo stills for next week's fourth episode of The Penguin, "Cent'anni" - an Italian toast meaning "may you live 100 years" - which is being hailed as a major high-point of the show by those who have had a chance to check out screeners for the entire season.

After narrowly escaping with their lives in "Bliss," Oz (Colin Farrell) and Vic (Rhenzy Feliz) plan their next move. Sofia's (Cristin Milioti) fate is unknown after Oz decided to leave her behind at the end of the last episode (something tells us she won't be best pleased), but there's a good chance she's been taken hostage by the Maroni family.

We do know that the episode will focus on what really went on with Sofia prior to her stint in Arkham, and what earned her the "Hangman" monicker. Oz indicated that there might be more to her murderous past than people realize,...

Following last night's new episode of The Penguin, HBO has released a teaser promo for next week's fourth instalment, "Cent'anni," which promises to reveal "the real story behind The Hangman."

After narrowly escaping with their lives in "Bliss," Oz (Colin Farrell) and Vic (Rhenzy Feliz) plan their next move. Sofia's (Cristin Milioti) fate is unknown after Oz decided to leave her behind at the end of the last episode, but there's a good chance she's been taken hostage by the Maroni family.

It looks like we're also going to find out what really went on with Sofia prior to her stint in Arkham, and what earned her the "Hangman" monicker. Oz indicated that there might be more to her murderous past than people realize, so perhaps we'll learn that Sofia is not the deranged serial killer she's been made out to be?

The episode will also feature the return of...

In The Penguin's third episode, we were introduced to the drug Sofia Falcone and her late brother Alberto were planning to flood Gotham City with.

Called "Bliss," it's an alternative to "Drops" and hails from Arkham State Hospital. While confined there, "The Hangman" figured out that the drug - made from a rare mushroom - provides a euphoric effect for the user.

Add the idea of psychoactive compound to Arkham and chances are you think of Dr. Jonathan Crane. Better known to comic book fans as the Scarecrow, he's known for creating a Fear Toxin which leaves exposed to it in a state of absolute terror. It stands to reason then that he could also create a drug capable of calming Arkham's inmates.

However, we believe someone else might have been behind the creation of the "Bleeding Tooth Fungus."

Poison Ivy is a very real possibility and botanist Pamela...

In the same week as DC's Joker: Folie Deux released to critical apathy and a disappointing box office take, The Penguin episode 3 - "Bliss" - continues to remind everyone that there actually is a way to tell great stories that rewrite established lore. Even though Colin Farrell's Oz Cobb is very different to his DC Comics counterpart, his spin-off story builds out strongly from his comparatively brief appearance in The Batman, with no room for accusations of provocation. It helps, of course, that The Penguin has eight episodes to explore him more.

Episode 3 is traditionally not the flashiest of episodes: with the premiere and its immediate fallout out of the way, this is where character comes into play more. In The Penguins case, that means more of Victor and a deeper exploration into Sofia and Ozs relationship. We also get the reveal of what Gothams new drug is going to be,...