Last year it was announced that Warner Bros. had given a a straight-to-series order for The Penguin, a limited series continuing the story of the titular character from Matt Reeves‘s The Batman film with Colin Farrell reprising the role. Today during the news of the HBO Max stream platform being rebranded as Max, the first Penguin teaser was released showing footage.
Per last year’s press release, the series 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 expressed 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.”
Look for the Penguin series to arrive in 2024.
