As a reviewer with a background in disability studies and a lifelong love for Batman, I must say that “The Penguin” is a breath of fresh air. The character’s portrayal by Colin Farrell is nothing short of exceptional, and it’s refreshing to see a villain who isn’t defined by his physical impairment.
If you’ve seen the initial episode of “The Penguin”, you’re aware that mocking Oz Cobb directly isn’t advisable, and neither is shouting his comic book name aloud. As per showrunner Lauren LeFranc, there are deeply personal motives behind why Cobb should never be addressed using his comic book alias. The popular HBO series has rebranded the classic Batman antagonist from Oswald Cobblepot to Oz Cobb to fit Matt Reeves’ “The Batman” universe. However, the character still goes by his comic book nickname, The Penguin, so it’s best not to use that term in his presence.
In an interview with Deadline, Lauren LeFranc shared why Oz Cobb becomes angry when referred to as a villain. In the original comics, Oswald resembles The Penguin, featuring a compact, stout physique and a long curved nose. Matt Reeves’ adaptation significantly changes the character’s appearance to create a more lifelike portrayal. As shown in the first episode, this version of the character has a birth defect affecting his feet, causing him to limp for much of his life. This physical condition is what earned him his bird-like nickname among his criminal peers.
LeFranc stated that Cobb perceived the term as disrespectful towards him because Oz didn’t like it, and he believed the nickname was a joke about his disability. To ensure that Cobb’s disability and aggressive personality were presented in a well-rounded manner, LeFranc carefully avoided emphasizing one aspect over the other. She clarified:
I aim to approach this project with empathy towards the character, but not using his past as an excuse for his behavior. When we were filming and selecting music, we wanted to avoid overly sweet tunes that might evoke pity. Oz doesn’t see himself in such a light, and it’s not about portraying him as a victim. That’s not the reason behind Oz’s character, and he doesn’t share that with others, so it didn’t seem fitting for the project.
The Penguin Avoids Comic Book Tropes About Disability
In universes where mature individuals (sometimes even kids) walk our streets dressed in rubber outfits, taking law into their own hands and meting out justice to wrongdoers, it requires a significant effort to label their rogues as “different.” One method the comic book industry, along with Hollywood, has employed is by depicting villains with disabilities. This portrayal serves to make them seem “odd” or unusual to viewers. Regrettably, this representation has received intense criticism from modern audiences, leading to widespread criticism of the entire James Bond franchise for featuring only villains with physical disabilities.
During the discussion, Lauren LeFranc stated that the entire creative team was firm in steering clear of these stereotypes. While Cobb does have a physical handicap, it doesn’t serve to portray him as an outsider, nor does it shape or motivate his evil deeds. Rather, it is just one aspect of his character, part of who he is as a person. LeFranc elaborated:
Additionally, I’m mindful of the stereotypical portrayals in comics regarding disability and villainy. Typically, these characters are scarred facially or otherwise made to feel different. My aim was to delve into his psychology, making his villainous nature stem from his emotional core rather than any physical ailment or handicap that he might possess.
New episodes of
The Penguin
will be released weekly on HBO and
.
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2024-09-23 15:31