The Penguin Director on How Shocking Premiere Moment Sets Tone for the Season (Exclusive)

The Penguin Director on How Shocking Premiere Moment Sets Tone for the Season (Exclusive)

As a fan who has spent countless hours immersed in the dark and brooding world of Gotham City, I must say that HBO’s “The Penguin” series is a masterful addition to DC’s Batman universe. The show expertly expands on the intriguing character introduced in Matt Reeves’ film, delving deeper into Oz Cobbs’ complex psyche and backstory.


In the Batman universe created by DC, HBO’s highly anticipated Penguin series has been added, diving headfirst into action within its first 15 minutes. The opening episode laid much of the groundwork for the series as a whole, showcasing key aspects of Oz Cobbs character that will significantly influence future events. Craig Zobel, Executive Producer and director of episodes 1 to 3, spoke with ComicBook about Oz’s critical decision in the premiere and how it represents both his best and worst qualities throughout the series.

Working His Way To The Top

The Penguin Director on How Shocking Premiere Moment Sets Tone for the Season (Exclusive)

In The Batman, the Penguin stole the limelight despite his brief appearance. However, in the series, the creators, including Zobel, had the opportunity to delve deeper into the iconic villain’s character, expanding on aspects hinted at in the film but not fully explored. As Zobel put it, “In the movie, you get a glimpse of him, but his backstory and other details are largely unknown. What was exciting about this series was the chance to discover more about this character who is unlike any Penguin we’ve seen before.

Back Against The Wall

The Penguin Director on How Shocking Premiere Moment Sets Tone for the Season (Exclusive)

In the initial episode, Oz exhibits two defining traits that are further developed throughout the show. On one hand, he demonstrates an unpredictable demeanor with a tendency for violence. This leads to various challenging and often self-induced predicaments. However, it’s when his back is against the wall, about 80% of the time, that Oz truly shines, showcasing his exceptional ability to navigate out of difficult situations. As director Zobel puts it, ‘Oz seems to perform at his best when he’s in a tricky spot. There’s something within him that compels him to dive headfirst into these predicaments, almost as if he can’t help himself. It’s an instinctual response that doesn’t stem from conscious thought. This impulsive nature of his often puts him in situations where he needs to think on his feet and find solutions.’

Expanding The World

Zobel and the team aimed to produce a series that could captivate viewers regardless of whether they had watched “The Batman” before. For those familiar with the film, they will notice how the Riddler’s actions in the movie impacted Gotham in the days following and beyond. Essentially, they wanted to make something enjoyable without needing prior knowledge of the movie’s storyline, but it would serve as a useful introduction to the world created by Matt Reeves for those who are aware. Furthermore, Zobel mentioned that it was intriguing to explore what happened in Gotham two days after the climax of the superhero film and set the story in this unique context. The first episode of “The Penguin” is now available on Max, and will air on HBO this Sunday. Let me know your thoughts on the premiere episode by tweeting @mattaguilarcb on Threads or Twitter!

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2024-09-21 01:11