As a longtime Batman enthusiast who’s witnessed the Caped Crusader navigate through the dark alleys of Gotham City, I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation while diving into HBO’s latest offering, The Penguin. The showrunner’s promise to connect Matt Reeves’ masterful The Batman with its sequel has me on the edge of my seat, eagerly awaiting clues that might hint at what’s to come in the future.
In conversation with Lauren LeFranc, showrunner of “The Penguin”, it’s evident that the series aims to link its unique narrative with Matt Reeves’ acclaimed “The Batman” and its upcoming sequel, “The Batman: Part 2”. As we delve into the emergence of villain Sofia Falcone and the escalation of Gotham’s gang war involving Oswald Cobblepot (Colin Farrell) and other crime lords, we keep a sharp eye out for hints indicating Reeves’ sequel’s direction. However, fans will have to wait until 2026 for the next installment.
With all of that in mind, one particular line of dialogue caught my ear in The Penguin Episode 2. Oz is still trying to distract Sofia from the scent of the fact that he murdered Alberto Falcone, Sofia’s brother. Oz needs to set up a patsy for the death, which he manages to do by episode’s end.
But throughout the episode, we continue to see how the devastating flood created by The Riddler (Paul Dano) at the end of The Batman affects the different communities in Gotham. When Oz hosts Eve Kaerlo (Carmen Ejogo) and her squad at his apartment – to eat tacos loaded with cilantro!!! – one of the sex workers asks Oz’s protege Victor (Rhenzy Feliz) where he’s from. He mentions he’s from Crown Point, a neighborhood seriously affected by the flood. And she responds that it’s like “no man’s land” down there now.
If you happen to be an avid reader of Batman comics, your ears undoubtedly perked up.
1999 saw DC Comics initiate a vast crossover storyline across its Batman comics titled “No Man’s Land.” This narrative unfolded in the aftermath of an earthquake that devastated large parts of Gotham. With the federal government isolating Gotham from the nation, the city transformed into a chaotic, lawless wasteland. Post-quake, criminal elements seized control of different sections of Gotham. In time, Batman orchestrated the downfall of notorious criminals like The Penguin, Two-Face, The Mad Hatter, and others. Could this comic book saga, rooted in the events of “No Man’s Land,” hint at Matt Reeves’ sequel to The Batman: Part 2?
After catching Episode 2 of “The Penguin,” I seized the moment to quiz director Craig Zobel on that intriguing line. Curious if it was a deliberate wink to the iconic comic-book saga and a hint at tales yet unveiled, he shared with TopMob:
Indeed, it wasn’t a mistake; rather, Lauren appears to be highly knowledgeable about the topic. I believe she deliberately crafted those statements intentionally.
While immersed in “The Penguin,” I couldn’t help but notice the stark contrast between the troubled districts and the seemingly untouched neighborhoods, like where the Falcone family resides. Despite Bruce Wayne’s absence, it’s safe to assume that Wayne Manor remains undamaged. As my conversation with Craig Zobel progressed, he hinted at Matt Reeves and his team delving into this social divide as the core theme of “The Penguin.” This aspect was what initially captivated Zobel about the series.
That was the attraction of the show to me, that it was talking about these class struggles that obviously always happen. We just don’t see that as often, or I can’t think of that many examples of … maybe there’s some in the Marvel universe, like after the Sokovia Accords or something. Maybe there are hints of that. But to talk about the aftermath of these things, and what they are, is a fascinating, unexplored area. I really particularly think it fits, and is important, inside of the Batman world. Because there is a lot to talk about with class in the Batman world that I feel is maybe under explored.
The Penguin” is merely warming up, with many twists and turns still to come before reaching its conclusion. It may hint at a path for “The Batman: Part 2,” but it’s also an exceptional crime tale in its own right. Featuring outstanding performances by Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Michael Kelly, and numerous others, this series is not one to miss – you definitely won’t be let down!
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2024-10-04 03:37