Colin Farrell Tells Us The Real Reason Why His Batman Villain Hates The Nickname The Penguin

As a dedicated fan of all things Batman and Gotham-related, I must say that my anticipation for “The Penguin” has reached new heights! Having grown up with the iconic character, it’s fascinating to see a fresh take on him, especially through the lens of Colin Farrell‘s mesmerizing performance. The backstory revealed in this series promises to delve deeper into the complex psyche of Oswald Cobb, a man who despises his derogatory nickname “The Penguin.

His name is Oswald Cobb. But everyone in the Gotham crime world refers to him as The Penguin. He’s a seminal villain in the classic Batman Rogue’s Gallery, and has been for decades. When Colin Farrell assumed the role in Matt Reeves’ Oscar-nominated The Batman, he reinterpreted Oz as a manipulative nightclub owner who wields power over the mob bosses in town. Not a lot happens in Gotham without Oz knowing about it. But what Farrell also knows is that Oz hates his nickname, The Penguin.

The thrilling crime series titled ‘The Penguin’ is set to debut on Max streaming service, further exploring the universe conceived by Matt Reeves and offering Colin Farrell an exceptional platform to display his captivating portrayal of Oswald Cobb. Over the eight episodes, starting from Thursday, Sept. 19, we delve deep into the character of Oz, revealing much about him. I can’t reveal most of what you’ll learn, as it’s best experienced through the series. However, it’s evident that Oz dislikes his criminal alias, a fact confirmed by Colin Farrell during a recent press event when he shared with TopMob exclusively why Oz feels this way.

The term has only been employed in a disrespectful manner throughout its usage, be it Michael Kelly’s Johnny Viti or any other character on the show. They use it to belittle him, and given his history of being marginalized, ridiculed, and labeled as disabled, he strongly dislikes it. He has been referred to as a “cripple”, laughed at, and excluded from communal experiences.

Prior to viewing the series “The Penguin”, I hadn’t given thought to the possibility that underworld criminals associated with Batman might not find their names prestigious. In fact, Paul Dano’s character, The Riddler, in “The Batman” proudly identifies with his nickname, taunting Batman (Robert Pattinson) by signing his cryptic messages at crime scenes.

In Oz’s case, he perceives himself differently, and the moniker “The Penguin” is often used to belittle him due to his limp, stemming from a clubfoot deformity, and because it’s not a name he chose for himself. According to Lauren LeFranc, showrunner of The Penguin, she shared this insight with TopMob.

As a devoted fan, I find it intriguing that our series’ protagonist goes by “The Penguin,” yet he doesn’t seem to fully identify with this moniker. In the early episodes, it appears quite derogatory to him. Much like how gangsters bestow nicknames upon each other, this is his nickname, but one he never truly selected for himself.

Throughout the eight-episode series, he is set to acquire the moniker “The Penguin.” Judging from the trailers for “The Penguin“, it appears that Gotham is in the process of recovering from The Riddler’s flood, and a power void emerges following Carmine Falcone’s (John Turturro) murder. Several families aim to seize control, but Oz has several strategies up his sleeve, some involving Sophia Falcone (Cristin Milioti), as well as other Gotham gangsters.

In the lineup of upcoming DC television programs, “The Penguin” is set apart as it exists within its own distinct universe separate from the one being developed by James Gunn. This unique universe also includes future shows like the animated “Creature Commandos” and a rumored “Lanterns” series that’s said to be considering potential cast members. The Penguin, however, functions as a link between “The Batman” and the sequel directed by Matt Reeves, which is scheduled for release in October 2026. So, hang tight.

2024-09-12 22:07

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