The Penguin Shows a New Side of Gotham City, Says HBO Series Creators

by

As a seasoned cinema enthusiast who has witnessed the evolution of Gotham City through countless films and comics, I must say that my anticipation for HBO’s “The Penguin” is palpable. Having grown up with the dark and brooding world of Batman, witnessing the exploration of the underbelly of Gotham in this series promises a fresh perspective on a city I thought I knew all too well.

In a tantalizing sneak peek for HBO’s “The Penguin,” we catch a glimpse of an unprecedented facet of Gotham City that viewers have yet to behold. With Colin Farrell in the lead role as the infamous Batman antagonist, this fresh 8-episode series follows Oz Cobblepot’s power grab from the disunited criminal clans controlling the seedy underworld of Gotham. Notably, “The Penguin” shares connections with Matt Reeves’ “The Batman,” as it unfolds mere days after the film’s conclusion, which left half of Gotham submerged in floodwaters.

In the behind-the-scenes segment, Colin Farrell, director Matt Reeves, showrunner Lauren Le Franc, and executive producer Dylan Clark elaborated on how the series complements “The Batman” and offers fresh possibilities to reveal unexplored aspects of Gotham. While Batman safeguards Gotham from its criminal underworld, he does so as a member of the city’s upper class. The Penguin delves into the residents who inhabit the areas that Batman patrols regularly, and those who were most impacted by The Riddler’s floods. As Colin Farrell put it, “It’s an extension of ‘The Batman’ film. It’s investigating a completely different world. Whereas Batman resides in the upper tiers of Gotham’s social hierarchy, this is down among the streets.” Dylan Clark then added:

You’ve witnessed an unseen aspect of Gotham – the parts deeply impacted by the city’s corruption.

In a departure from other Batman directors, Matt Reeves delves into the class and privilege that underpin Bruce Wayne’s identity, making him the caped crusader. This theme is set to be a recurring element in all of his films within The Batman universe, such as the portrayal of The Penguin. As stated by Reeves:

For me, what stood out was the contrast between the privileged and the struggling in the city. This includes those areas that are protected and isolated, versus the people who live hand-to-mouth. The Penguin’s perspective seems to be focused on the deep-rooted corruption within Gotham.

Class and Corruption Will Be a Theme in The Batman Part II

Portrayed by Paul Dano, The Riddler served as an initial means for Matt Reeves to delve into the corruption and class disparity in Gotham City during “The Batman”. Few specifics about “The Batman Part II” have been disclosed so far. However, the director has confirmed that the sequel will further develop these themes, placing Bruce Wayne against a novel type of adversary. Reeves stated:

The narrative will delve into a more profound level of corruption than previously imagined, uncovering areas that not even Bruce Wayne foresaw in the initial tale.

In the release of The Batman, there has been much debate about who the villain in The Batman Part II might be, since Reeves didn’t explicitly confirm it. Previously, rumors suggested Clayface as the main antagonist, but Reeves clarified that his version of Gotham won’t include any supernatural beings or characters (though there’s a chance for Condiment King!). Now, fans are guessing that the Court of Owls could be the next major villain in The Batman Part II. This secretive group, acting as Gotham’s hidden Illuminati, is made up of the wealthiest citizens who control everything from behind the scenes.

The Penguin
premieres on HBO and Max on September 19. New episodes will be released weekly.

Read More

2024-09-10 19:05