The Penguin is preparing to film next year, and The Illuminerdi can now share exclusive details about the upcoming production.
The Penguin is an upcoming DC TV series spin-off of The Batman. Lauren LeFranc is the head writer and showrunner, with Dylan Clark and franchise architect Matt Reeves as producers. Colin Farrell, who plays Oswald Cobblepot AKA The Penguin is also a producer on the new HBO Max show.
Taking place between the events of The Batman and the untitled sequel to that film, The Penguin, will serve as a bridge between mainline film installments. The Penguin, The Batman, and the upcoming Arkham Asylum spinoff all take place in a shared universe outside of the DCU. In other words, these Gotham-centric projects are completely untethered to DCU movies such as Black Adam, Aquaman & The Lost Kingdom, and The Flash.
THE PENGUIN: EXCLUSIVE FILMING DETAILS
The Illuminerdi has learned some exciting information about the upcoming shoot which we can now share. The Penguin is filming under the working title of “Boss”. Additionally, The Penguin is preparing to shoot from January to August of 2023 in New York City.
There are many reasons that Cobblepot’s show could be operating under the working title of “Boss”. It could be a reference to The Penguin’s aspirations of becoming the Kingpin of crime in Gotham. It could be an homage to the fallen Carmine Falcone, the deceased former “Boss” of the Gotham City underworld. Perhaps “Boss” means something else entirely.
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As for the planned filming date of January-August of 2023, that indicates an early release in 2024 for The Penguin. A late 2023 HBO Max premiere could be theoretically possible, but such a quick turnaround after principal production seems unlikely. The show will run for eight episodes, and this schedule allows for at least a couple weeks per episode. This affords the creative team enough time to get the show just right, without dealing with a time crunch.
PENGUIN, FALCONES, AND THE WAR FOR GOTHAM
The Illuminerdi recently revealed several important plot details regarding The Penguin. Cristin Milloti’s character Sofia Falcone, daughter of Carmine Falcone, will be the primary antagonist. She has been released from Arkham after a nearly decade-long stint in the Asylum for the criminally insane. Cobblepot was instrumental in putting her there, and she is coming for revenge.
Alberto Falcone is Sofia’s brother, and the new patriarch of the Falcone family. He has some personal demons that will hold him back as the new Don Falcone, but he won’t be alone. Carmine family relative Johnny Viti and the Consigliere Milos Grapa are coming to join Alberto and Sofia in the fight for the soul of Gotham City. These roles have not yet been cast.
Additionally, the deep-cut comic book character “Mike Stone” will be a guest-star on the upcoming series. Milke Stone has only appeared in one DC comic book to date, Arkham Manor: Endgame, and he has not been featured in any other Batman adaptations. Mike Stone’s allegiance in the war for Gotham is unclear.
THE PENGUIN: OSWALD’S MOTHER WILL BREAK YOUR HEART
The Penguin will be dealing with an extremely challenging personal struggle throughout the events of his self-titled series. Oswald’s mother, Francis Cobblepot is dealing with Dementia with Lewy Bodies, a degenerative condition that strips the Cobblepot family of control, security and stability. This arc could be the emotional throughline of the upcoming HBO series.
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The Batman was a massive success for the DC Brand, revitalizing the franchise in a way unseen since the era of the Dark Knight trilogy. The Penguin, working under the title “Boss”, will film from January to August of next year. If this spinoff can recapture the same magic of The Batman and expand that exciting new shared universe, it could be one of the better comic book television programs on the market.
Are you excited for The Penguin? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below or on our social media!
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