The Penguins Craig Zobel Addresses Oz Cobb Name Change & Court of Owls

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The Penguins Craig Zobel Addresses Oz Cobb Name Change & Court of Owls

As a lifelong movie enthusiast with a penchant for all things Batman, I must admit my initial skepticism when I heard about “The Penguin” HBO series without our caped crusader himself. But after diving into the behind-the-scenes and getting a taste of Colin Farrell’s gripping portrayal of Oswald Cobblepot, I can confidently say that this is one penguin worth watching!

The character played by Colin Farrell in “The Penguin” goes by a shorter version of his name, Oz, rather than Oswald Cobblepot. Director Craig Zobel has shed light on why this change was made, but he’s keeping quiet about any potential connections to the Court of Owls‘ assassin William Cobb to avoid spoilers for Batman fans. In an interview with The Hollywood Handle, Zobel explains the reasoning behind the name change.

I can’t definitively confirm that, as I’m not privy to Matt Reeves’ thoughts entirely. However, it seems that many of us shared a sense that Cobblepot wasn’t a typical human name. For example, just like the Riddler being Edward Nygma – E. Nygma, those names were considered somewhat whimsical or unconventional, especially when comic books were primarily geared towards children.

Initially, it seems the intention was to choose a more authentic, earthy, and deeply connected name. I understand this change may have upset some fans, but I hope they can find it in their hearts to forgive us and continue enjoying the show. After all, if there was an error, it wasn’t a grave one [laughter].

Audience members shouldn’t focus too much on whether “The Penguin” TV show includes a relationship between Oz Cobb (played by Farrell) and William Cobb, the Court of Owls’ assassin from the comics. Instead, it’s more concerning, or should be, that Robert Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne/Batman will not appear at all in the HBO series – consider this a confirmed fact.

Batman & Bruce Are MIA in The Penguin

The Penguins Craig Zobel Addresses Oz Cobb Name Change & Court of OwlsThe Penguins Craig Zobel Addresses Oz Cobb Name Change & Court of OwlsThe Penguins Craig Zobel Addresses Oz Cobb Name Change & Court of OwlsThe Penguins Craig Zobel Addresses Oz Cobb Name Change & Court of OwlsThe Penguins Craig Zobel Addresses Oz Cobb Name Change & Court of OwlsThe Penguins Craig Zobel Addresses Oz Cobb Name Change & Court of OwlsThe Penguins Craig Zobel Addresses Oz Cobb Name Change & Court of Owls

Unfortunately, Lauren LeFranc, creator and showrunner of “The Penguin,” isn’t trying to deceive anyone. Contrary to some expectations, despite the series being based in Gotham City and Colin Farrell reprising his role from Matt Reeves’ “The Batman” (2022), Robert Pattinson won’t make an appearance, not even for a cameo. This isn’t a ruse or trick; it’s simply the truth, as confirmed by LeFranc in an interview with GamesRadar+.

People might feel that a show or movie lacks impact unless it features Batman. To me, however, the Matt Reeves films offer a unique twist: they present the city from Batman’s perspective, giving us a bird’s-eye view and offering a fresh outlook.

LeFranc said during the same sit-down:

Instead of perceiving a lack, I see this as an expansion upon what already exists fundamentally. This story takes place within the world of Batman, but it ventures off onto a new path. The essence of Batman (portrayed by Pattinson) is present. Similarly, the Riddler (Paul Dano) and the remnants of the last film’s events are palpable. They all shape this narrative, serving as its foundation from which we start.

Regardless of whether a bat was present in the penguin’s abode or not, the role had a significant impact on Colin Farrell. Oz Cobb could potentially be one of Farrell’s finest performances due to an eight-episode stint that enables the Academy Award-nominated actor (from The Banshees of Inisherin) to strut with genuine confidence in front of the camera as he portrays a gangster trying to seize control over Gotham City.

The show titled “The Penguin” is set to debut on Thursday, September 19th at 9 p.m., either Eastern or Pacific Time on Max (as reported by Deadline). Following this premiere, there will be multiple re-runs on HBO throughout the weekend. Starting from Sunday, September 29th, the series moves to weekly episodes that will air every Sunday night. The second episode is scheduled for release at the same time. From then on, new episodes of the show can be viewed on both Max and HBO each week until the final episode on November 10th.

Be sure to check out a special behind-the-scenes look at
The Penguin,
courtesy of Max, (below):

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2024-09-19 14:31