Jeffrey Wright’s Reason For Not Being In The Penguin Initially Surprised Me, But His Exclusion May Have Been For The Best

As a seasoned gamer and avid follower of the DC universe, I have to say that “The Penguin” was a masterpiece that left me both captivated and frustrated. The series beautifully expanded upon the world established in Matt Reeves’ “The Batman”, but it left me yearning for more Jim Gordon, played brilliantly by Jeffrey Wright.


In a stunning turn of events, “The Penguin” series stood out as exceptional and one of the top picks on the 2024 TV lineup. Not only did it weave an engaging narrative, but it also delved deeper into the universe crafted by Matt Reeves in “The Batman.” It’s astounding that I found myself captivated by the series despite the resurgence of my dislike for Oswald Cobb, and while I had one minor complaint, it was a love-hate relationship. However, I yearned to see Jeffrey Wright portray Jim Gordon, and initially, his absence left me in shock. Yet, upon reflection, I believe his omission could have been beneficial.

In the upcoming “The Batman Part II,” it’s expected that Wright will reprise his role. Yet, he was conspicuously missing from “The Penguin.” This puzzled me, given his character’s significant role as a growing lieutenant in the Gotham City Police Department and his active service on the force. However, Wright has since clarified his absence to Inverse, leaving me even more perplexed.

Why Jeffrey Wright Wasn’t In The Penguin

In the show, although the GCPD didn’t frequently intervene in The Penguin’s affairs, there were instances where Jim Gordon’s character could have been involved, such as investigating Sofia or Oz’s dealings. However, Jeffrey Wright, who was nominated for an Oscar, stated that he wasn’t informed about the possibility of his character appearing on the show.

There was no talk of my being in this first season.

It’s surprising to ponder that Jeffrey Wright, who’s known for his versatility in both films and TV shows, wasn’t approached by the team behind “The Penguin.” Although it might appear as a missed chance, I’ve come to terms with it over time.

Why Jeffrey Wright’s Exclusion From The Penguin May Have Been For The Best

With a versatile career like Jeffrey Wright’s, it’s common to receive numerous work offers. Regardless of his connection with the Batman series, he would still find himself inundated with roles, spanning both live-action and animated productions. This abundance of opportunities might explain why he didn’t seem particularly enthusiastic about joining a potential second season of Penguin.

Who knows? We’ll see what happens down the line, but I’m juggling enough balls as it is.

It might be that Jeffrey Wright was occupied during the filming of “The Penguin,” and showrunner Lauren LeFranc and their team chose not to contact him, or it could be that there were no intentions to incorporate Gordon into the storyline, and they preferred not to force him into a role.

It’s important to note that an actor of Mr. Wright’s talent level should have had more screen time on the show. However, due to the fact that the GCPD wasn’t central to the series, it might be more appropriate for him not to appear, as his brief presence could have felt like a brief cameo rather than a significant role.

Setting that aside, there’s definitely reason to feel hopeful about the return of The Penguin Season 2, and if it does come to pass, I can’t wait to see the reappearance of Wright’s Gordon character. Frankly, there are many characters I’d love to see pop up in a series related to Batman. However, given how impressive the Colin Farrell-led show has been, I must admit that I’m genuinely curious if any subsequent shows will be able to match its quality. Still, should a second season materialize, I’d be more than happy to welcome Gordon back into the fray and ideally in a significant role.

You can now stream “The Penguin” by subscribing to Max. Keep an eye out for updates regarding future DC TV series.

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2024-11-25 03:37