HBO has given a green light to The Penguin, a limited series starring Colin Farrell, who will reprise his role from the latest Batman movie.
The new HBO Max drama is set to expand upon the Matt Reeves-created Batman world, and will center on Farrell’s character Oswald Cobblepot, and his evolution as the infamous DC comics villain Penguin.
“The world that Matt Reeves created for The Batman is one that warrants a deeper gaze through the eyes of Oswald Cobblepot,” said Farrell. “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.”
The new 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 (a working title) 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.
Sarah Aubrey, Head of Original Content, HBO Max spoke about the pickup, 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.”
Reeves added “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.”
Released in theaters in North America on March 4, 2022, and internationally beginning March 2, 2022, The Batman grossed $134 million at the North American box office and $124 million internationally in its first weekend for a $258 million global launch.
The film also stars Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, Jeffrey Wright, Andy Serkis, Paul Danno, and John Turturro.