The Penguin will have to dial back the profanity when he returns in The Batman: Part II

As a lifelong cinema enthusiast with a penchant for gritty, character-driven narratives, I must say that HBO’s “The Penguin” has truly captured my heart and imagination. It’s not often that a spinoff surpasses its source material, but this dark and intriguing exploration of Gotham City has done just that for me.

The TV series titled “The Penguin” is nearing its completion on HBO, and it’s been an exhilarating journey to watch. Frankly, I must confess that I find this show more appealing than the 2022 film “The Batman”, which it is based upon. Now, I did enjoy “The Batman”, but the depth and exploration of Gotham City’s darker aspects in “The Penguin” has been captivating for me.

Following the conclusion of “The Penguin”, Oz Cobb (Colin Farrell) will reappear in “The Batman: Part II“, slated for release in 2026. In this sequel, he won’t be the lead character as he is in his standalone series, instead playing a villainous role. It should be an exciting change to witness, even though he may not exhibit the same unrestrained behavior as he does on HBO. Matt Reeves, who directed “The Batman” and is responsible for expanding this larger “Batman” universe, mentioned that some things can be done on HBO that cannot be done in films.

The statement is intriguing because in a Batman film, there are abundant resources that allow for impressive actions, but limitations exist elsewhere. Reeves shared this insight during a conversation with Andy Serkis, the star of The Batman, for Interview magazine. He explained that while dealing with the ratings board, they were advised to tone things down. However, with HBO, these restrictions were lifted, enabling a strong focus on character development. This freedom, for instance, allows Oz to use profanity more freely. As we work on the movie now, there’s a need to strike a balance between maintaining that edgy tone and ensuring it fits within the film’s context, particularly with Colin Farrell’s portrayal of Oz.

HBO is known for allowing a wide range of adult content on its shows, such as nudity, violence, and strong language; The Penguin fits this description. However, The Batman was given a PG-13 rating, and we anticipate that The Batman: Part II will also adhere to this rating. Consequently, I’m not shocked that Oz may use less explicit language in the upcoming film, but I am a bit disheartened. I’ll surely miss his creative choice of words.

The Batman director mulls future spinoff shows like The Penguin

There’s a chance Oz might reappear in future seasons of “The Penguin,” if he doesn’t meet his end in “The Batman: Part II.” Notably, Reeves and his team seem eager to produce more shows like “The Penguin,” potentially expanding on other villains from the “Batman” universe.

Reeves expressed his enthusiasm, stating that people are starting to appreciate the show, which is a wonderful development. He further shared that his vision for the series is becoming a reality, thanks to HBO’s continuous support. Seeing the positive response from viewers makes it even more exhilarating. Conversations about creating additional shows have already taken place. To set this series apart, Reeves made sure not to retell the origin tale, which is common in many other shows. Instead, he finds the concept of exploring these characters and their stories through a unique lens to be extremely intriguing. The focus is on depicting cities with dysfunction and reflecting the chaos of the world, as that’s what Batman tales are known for. They portray Gotham as a place that should be better, offering viewers an epic crime saga experience while also providing standalone stories with their own dramatic value. Therefore, each story will have its unique narrative, like Oz’s story being about Oz and not intertwined with others.

Recently, Craig Zobel, the director behind “The Penguin,” expressed interest in creating a series centered around Batman villain, Poison Ivy. If it’s as captivating as “The Penguin,” I can’t wait to catch it. At the moment, the season finale of “The Penguin” is scheduled for this coming Sunday night on HBO and Max.

2024-11-05 17:41