The Penguin: A Rise-to-Power Tale and ‘Scarface’ Story

There’s plenty to look forward to when The Penguin arrives on Max.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the creators and star Colin Farrell shared what viewers can expect from the new series.

“It’s a Scarface story,” said Lauren LeFranc, the lead writer and showrunner. “It’s a rise-to-power story of Oz before he really makes it to the top.”

The Penguin takes place a week after 2022’s The Batman, which stars Robert Pattinson. In that film, the Riddler blew up a seawall, flooding much of Gotham. The new series builds on the death of Carmine Falcone (John Turturro) and explores what happens next.

Farrell, who plays Oz (Oswald Cobblepot), also known as Penguin, emphasized the importance of backstory in the new show.

“I loved doing the part in The Batman,” Farrell noted. “The idea that we would get spoiled by having eight hours to really delve into this character’s psychology and backstory was exciting. Backstory plays a big part in the television show.”

The entire series serves as a “bridge” between The Batman and its sequel, which is scheduled for release in 2026.

“We are the bridge between the two films,” LeFranc explained. “We’re going almost directly into the second film Matt [Reeves] has planned.”

Farrell added more context last March during an interview with MovieZine, where he described what’s to come in the series.

“It was a long and really wonderful experience,” Farrell said about working on The Penguin. “It’s dark, that’s what I can tell you about it. It’s really dark. It’s really heavy and incredibly violent.” Despite the intense subject matter, Farrell mentioned that he had an amazing time working on the series.

“It’s one man’s rise to what he’s always dreamed of inhabiting, which is a certain power or social status,” he continued. “The death of Carmine Falcone at the end of The Batman leaves this vacuum in Gotham to be filled, and so there are various people grabbing for that power. This is Oswald’s journey trying to rise to the top through extraordinary obstacles, and it’s super dark.”

Having backstories and spinoffs related to The Batman, such as The Penguin, looks like a promising direction for DC. They offer a good segue to upcoming movies and expand the world into uncharted territory.

So, prepare for The Penguin when it debuts on Max in September.

Source: Entertainment Weekly, MovieZine