In the shadowed alleys of Gotham, a new tale of power and crime is set to unfold, but fans will have to wait a bit longer than expected. The Penguin, the much-anticipated series spun from the fabric of The Batman, has had its premiere pushed to the fall of 2024.
The delay, caused by the Hollywood strikes that have and continue to rock the entire movie industry, is a necessary move to ensure the TV show is up to the high standards set by its big-screen counterpart. The series will plunge viewers into the murky depths of Gotham’s criminal underworld, charting Oswald Cobblepot’s rise to power in a city still reeling from the events of The Batman.
With Colin Farrell reprising his role as the titular character (a role we can all agree was made for him), audiences will be treated to a gritty exploration of a man carving his empire in the chaos of Gotham’s streets.
Casey Bloys, the CEO of HBO and Max content, has hinted at the diversity in storytelling that awaits fans, contrasting the tonal differences between The Penguin and other DC shows like Peacemaker. This approach is intended to stave off the so-called “superhero fatigue” by delivering unique narratives without exhausting the audience’s attention.
Though details on the plot remain wrapped in secrecy, we do know the series will pick up a week after the cataclysmic events that left Gotham submerged and in disarray. Sticking to the continuity of the Batman universe means that the narrative thread will remain intact, and viewers won’t have to revel in confusion while trying to piece together the events taking place.
The show, under the stewardship of Lauren LeFranc, will be told through an eight-episode arc that will take a deep dive into the power vacuum left by Carmine Falcone. With a cast that includes Cristin Milioti as Sofia Falcone and Clancy Brown as Salvatore Maroni, The Penguin has the potential to be DC Elseworlds’ crowning jewel.
Speculation is rife about potential crossovers with Robert Pattinson’s Batman, which could serve as a narrative bridge to The Batman – Part II, which is set for a 2025 release. Such a move would not only create a cohesive storyline but also satisfy fans’ craving for a more interconnected DC universe.
Matt Reeves, the visionary behind The Batman, is set to make a comeback in The Penguin, but this time in the role of executive producer. However, for those curious about his involvement in the next installment of the Planet of the Apes series, titled ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes‘, we’re sorry to inform you that he won’t be returning to helm that project.
