As a seasoned movie critic with over three decades of watching and dissecting films under my belt, I must say that The Penguin, set to premiere on HBO Max, has piqued my interest. The absence of Batman from this series is an intriguing twist, as the Dark Knight’s presence has been a staple in Gotham City stories. However, I appreciate Matt Reeves’ stance on not reducing the Caped Crusader to a cameo or supporting character.
The upcoming HBO and Max series titled “The Penguin” transports viewers back to Gotham City, but, as stated by Matt Reeves, it won’t involve the city’s Dark Knight in its gritty narrative. Set a week after the occurrences of “The Batman“, Oz Cobb, played by Colin Farrell with his extensive prosthetics, seeks power following Carmine Falcone’s (John Turturro) demise, which has left Gotham City’s underworld without a clear leader. However, Sofia Falcone (Cristin Millioti), Carmine’s daughter and recent Arkham Asylum inmate, stands as an obstacle for Oz. Although numerous of Batman’s most sinister adversaries are present, the Caped Crusader himself will not be appearing in “The Penguin“.
In an interview with Total Film, director Matt Reeves shared why Batman will have a significant role in “The Penguin,” rather than just making an appearance. He emphasized that Batman and The Riddler (Paul Dano) will both be integral to the story due to Gotham’s ongoing flood situation. However, Reeves stressed the importance of not diminishing Batman’s character by relegating him to a minor role. Since Gotham is Batman’s city, his presence should be substantial and impactful throughout the movie.
In this show, I adopt a perspective primarily focused on Batman and Bruce Wayne. While we don’t delve deeply into Batman’s world or his rogues gallery as you might expect in a series, we subtly convey his influence by maintaining a sense of his presence. The narrative unfolds with the knowledge that the Riddler is responsible for the chain of events, but neither the Riddler nor Batman make an actual appearance within the story.
The director disclosed that he had previously discussed the possibility of Robert Pattinson’s Batman appearing in “The Penguin,” but he later clarified that this concept was promptly abandoned. Reeves further emphasized this by stating:
Rob won’t appear in the performance. It seems best to address his absence straight away. We had discussed this matter, and our decision is to delve deeply into a character struggling for control at this critical juncture.
The Penguin Puts a Fresh Spin on the Crime Genre
Even from the very first trailer, the influence of the crime genre on The Penguin shouldn’t need much explaining. Just like the Batman and Joker of Reeves’ universe, The Penguin is still finding his footing as crime boss in Gotham City. While Bruce Wayne is only in his second year of patrolling the streets, Oz Cobb is still trying to make a name for himself, having previously worked under Carmine Falcone. It’s a story reminiscent of Henry Hill in Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas, or Christopher in HBO’s The Sopranos.
In contrast to traditional crime genre novels, Lauren LeFranc’s “The Penguin” is innovatively redefining the genre. While many classic crime novels reflect their time period and often feature underdeveloped female characters and misogynistic male leads, LeFranc aims to challenge this norm in “The Penguin” by creating well-rounded, captivating female characters. As LeFranc put it:
Few female writers have tackled this particular genre of movies and TV shows. However, I believe my unique take on Oz and masculinity sets me apart, which in turn inspired me to populate his world with complex, captivating women. In contrast to conventional crime dramas, it’s rare to find women as compelling as the men.
The Penguin
premieres on Max on September 19, 2024.
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2024-09-10 18:04