The Penguin‘s official teaser dropped on April 12, 2023, and features Colin Farrell going full Tony Soprano as Oswald “Penguin” Cobblepot. The new Max series is still currently in production and not expected to debut until 2024, but it has sparked high anticipation for the first spinoff of The Batman. Prior to the release of The Batman, director Matt Reeves had plans to create an entire Batman universe separate from the DC Universe. These plans included expanding The Batman into a trilogy and creating spinoff TV series set in Gotham.
There is currently an Arkham Asylum series in development, as well as a Gotham City Police Department (GCPD) series, which is believed to still be in development despite being previously put on hold. Meanwhile, The Penguin moved forward rapidly, which isn’t surprising considering how well-received Farrell’s performance was in The Batman. Despite having a minor role in the film, Farrell stole nearly every scene he appeared in. He fully disappears into the role, being rendered nearly unrecognizable while in costume (which ridiculously includes a fat suit). Plus, he brings viewers nostalgia for some gangster classics; he looks like he could’ve walked right out of The Godfather or Goodfellas.
While The Batman skimmed the surface of the Penguin’s personality and involvement in crime, he isn’t the mob boss that most comic book fans are familiar with. Despite accusations that he assisted in the Riddler (Paul Dano)’s murders, it is later revealed that the Penguin wasn’t involved. Later, when he tries to kill Carmine Falcone (John Turturro), he’s too late, and the Riddler gets to him first. The Penguin kind of fumbles throughout the film, proving to be a low-level threat waiting for an opportunity to present itself. This new teaser trailer, though, shows the Penguin truly settling into his role as the new crime kingpin of Gotham.
Colin Farrell channels Tony Soprano in The Penguin
