The much-anticipated The Batman from director Matt Reeves arrived in theaters last week smashing not only expectations but the box office as well with $134 million gross at the North American box office and $124 million internationally in its first weekend for a $258 million global launch. The film featured an all-star cast including Colin Farrell as Oswald Cobblepot, better known as the Batman villain The Penguin. The process that required Farrel to transform into the character required him to spend more than four hours in the makeup chair resulting in the actor being completely unrecognizable. It looks like Farrell will be bracing himself once again for more long hours in makeup as today HBO Max has officially given a a straight-to-series order for The Penguin.

The series, under the working title The Penguin, is executive produced by Matt Reeves, Dylan Clark, Colin Farrell, and Lauren LeFranc, who writes and serves as showrunner. Based on characters created for DC by Bob Kane with Bill Finger, THE PENGUIN is produced by Reeves’ 6th & Idaho Productions and Dylan Clark Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television, where Reeves and 6th & Idaho are under an overall deal. 6th & Idaho’s Daniel Pipski and Adam Kassan also serve as executive producers, and Rafi Crohn is co-executive producer.

Much like breakout HBO Max hit Peacemaker, this Penguin show will continue the character’s story from where he ended up at the end of the film. Matt Reeves said, “Colin exploded off the screen as the Penguin in ‘The Batman,’ and having the chance to thoroughly explore the inner life of that character on HBO Max is an absolute thrill. Dylan and I are so excited to work with Lauren in continuing Oz’s story as he grabs violently for power in Gotham.”

Sarah Aubrey, Head of Original Content of HBO Max, was quoted as saying “We are thrilled to bring audiences a new version of this iconic DC character that they have never seen before. It is incredible to be working with Matt, Dylan and Lauren on continuing this story and to see Colin take his already exceptional performance in ‘The Batman’ to the next level.”

Writer and showrunner Lauren LeFranc express her excitement, “I have long been a fan of the world of ‘The Batman,’ and Matt’s film is such a powerful and bold entry into the canon. I am excited and humbled to continue telling stories in the grimy world of Gotham City – and what better excuse to channel my inner villain than to tell the story of Oswald Cobblepot? I am thrilled to work with Colin, Matt, Dylan, 6th & Idaho, Warners, and HBO Max as we work to bring this story to the screen.”

And while Farrell didn’t comment on the prospect of returning to a grueling makeup process, it looks like it’s worth it to star in his own Penguin spinoff series. “The world that Matt Reeves created for ‘The Batman’ is one that warrants a deeper gaze through the eyes of Oswald Cobblepot. I couldn’t be more excited about continuing this exploration of Oz as he rises through the darkened ranks to become The Penguin. Will be good to get him back on the streets of Gotham for a little madness and a little mayhem.”

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR