Comic-Con morphed into Gotham City during the much-anticipated panel for DC’s “The Penguin” in Hall H. Despite star Colin Farrell’s absence in person, he joined the event via Zoom, accompanied by director Matt Reeves, co-stars Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz, and makeup designer Mike Marino.
“The Penguin” is set to premiere on HBO on September 19, featuring eight gripping episodes. Colin Farrell returns, reprising his acclaimed role from Matt Reeves’ “The Batman.” The series delves into the life of Oswald “Oz” Cobblepot, better known as the Penguin, a crime lord with a penchant for deadly umbrellas, navigating the treacherous underworld of Gotham City. The show picks up after the events of “The Batman,” chronicling the Penguin’s rise to power in a city left in chaos.
The cast includes a variety of notable actors: Carmen Ejogo plays Eve Karlo, Rhenzy Feliz appears as Victor Aguilar, the Penguin’s young driver, and Cristin Milioti portrays Sofia Falcone. Michael Kelly joins as Johnny Vitti, Shohreh Aghdashloo plays Nadia Maroni, Deirdre O’Connell is cast as Francis Cobb, and Clancy Brown takes on the role of mob boss Salvatore Maroni. Additional cast members include James Madio as Milos Grapa, Scott Cohen as Luca Falcone, Michael Zegen as Alberto Falcone, and Theo Rossi as Dr. Julian Rush.
The newly released trailer offers a glimpse into the Penguin’s ambitions and the chaotic power struggle in Gotham. Farrell’s character discusses his vision of the American dream, describing America as a “hustle.” The trailer introduces key characters and hints at an impending gang war. Sofia Falcone’s release from Arkham Asylum adds to the tension, while the Penguin outlines his plans to “burn down an empire from the inside out.”
WATCH THE TRAILER BELOW.
Director Matt Reeves emphasized the Penguin as a character stepping into a “power vacuum in Gotham,” underestimated by many but driven by an intense inner fire.
Farrell shared his perspective on the Penguin, describing him as a man with “violence and pain etched on [his] face,” exploring his life’s brokenness and the depth of his ambition and greed. Farrell found the character both disastrous and incredibly captivating, relishing the opportunity to dive into such a complex role.
“The Penguin,” produced by Reeves’ 6th & Idaho Productions and Dylan Clark Productions in association with Warner Bros Television and DC Studios, is executive produced by Reeves, Dylan Clark, Farrell, Lauren LeFranc, Craig Zobel, and Bill Carraro. The series is based on characters created for DC by Bob Kane with Bill Finger.
“The Penguin” premieres on September 19 on HBO and will be available to stream on Max.