The Penguin Doesn’t Need A Season 2

by

The Penguin Doesn't Need A Season 2

Key Takeaways

  • The Penguin could return for a Season 2, with Colin Farrell reprising his role in the upcoming The Batman Part II.
  • Despite success, The Penguin should remain a limited series to avoid potential pitfalls and keep things fresh.
  • The Reevesverse plans an expanded universe, possibly exploring other iconic villains like Mr. Freeze or a Harvey Dent legal drama.

As a seasoned fan of Batman and his colorful rogues gallery, I must say that The Penguin series has been nothing short of a delightful feast for my eyes and ears. The way it seamlessly ties into the gritty world established by Matt Reeves in The Batman is truly commendable.

Peace seems to have returned once more to Gotham City, yet with the conclusion of HBO’s “The Penguin,” there’s a sense that we’re merely at the beginning. Colin Farrell returned as Oz Cobblepot from 2022’s “The Batman,” and as the inaugural part of an extended universe of spin-offs, “The Penguin” has carried on the Reevesverse legacy with panache.

Acclaimed as the contemporary equivalent of “The Sopranos”, “The Penguin” has made its mark even when the Marvel Cinematic Universe finds itself overwhelmed by superhero overload. With “The Penguin” poised to be hailed as one of HBO’s top shows in recent memory, there’s been much speculation about a possible second season. However, with Cobb remaining at his current state, will viewers continue to tune in for more?

The Penguin Could Return for Season 2

The Penguin Doesn't Need A Season 2

In this rendition, “The Penguin” has concluded his part (temporarily) in Oz’s tale, as the penguin-suited mobster ascended to control the criminal underworld in Gotham City. Director Matt Reeves and Farrell have affirmed that Cobb will reappear in the forthcoming “The Batman Part II,” but it remains undecided if he’ll be the main antagonist or play a smaller role as in “The Batman.

It hasn’t been confirmed if Oz will appear beyond Matt Reeves’ plans for “The Batman Part III,” but in a conversation with The Direct, “The Penguin” series producer Lauren LeFranc expressed her interest in directing another season of the show. LeFranc mentioned she’d be thrilled to continue exploring the world of Gotham City and admitted that she finds it appealing.

In essence, if we are to proceed with another season, we need to believe that we can surpass what we’ve already achieved. We must find something compelling and intriguing to delve deeper into.

Considering The Penguin was always billed as a miniseries, its success could be key in bringing everyone back. This has already been teased in the MCU, and although the critically acclaimed WandaVision remains a limited series, there’s a buzz about Agatha All Along getting a season 2. The same goes for FX’s Shōgun, which was expanded from a miniseries to a three-season order.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but be excited by Reeves’ hints about a potential second season of “The Penguin” during his interview with Interview Magazine. While he didn’t explicitly confirm a second season for Cobb, his words certainly fueled speculation in this direction.

So far, we’ve discussed the possibility of creating new shows. I just wanted to confirm that we steer clear from the origin story, as it has been extensively covered in other series. The prospect of exploring these characters through a unique perspective excites me immensely.

As a game enthusiast, I’m excitedly repeating the fact that it’s all about expanding Gotham City and crafting this captivating, epic tale of crime saga, akin to a novel. Fans have caught onto a statement, “Oz’s story is Oz’s story,” which hints at the possibility that The Penguin season 2 might emerge in the aftermath of The Batman Part II. However, beware, too much of a great thing could sometimes be overwhelming.

The Penguin Should Remain a Limited Series

The Penguin Doesn't Need A Season 2

Programs such as “Prison Break” and “Heroes” faced criticism for not living up to their impressive first seasons, and while it’s tough to predict if “The Penguin” will follow suit, HBO has encountered challenges with the second seasons of “Big Little Lies” and “True Detective” (although the latter was structured as an anthology). However, HBO can also boast the success of Damon Lindelof’s “Watchmen,” which, despite calls for a second season, has maintained its near-flawless status as a limited series.

Before fans go cheering for The Penguin season 2, a major stumbling block could be Farrell himself. Speaking to Total Film (via GamesRadar), the show’s lead opened up about his discomfort at spending hours in the makeup chair:

Upon completion, I found myself thinking, “I have no desire to wear that suit or don that headpiece ever again.

There’s a hint that he might not be eager, much like how Daniel Craig expressed his dislike of playing James Bond again by saying he’d rather cut his wrists, but it’s possible to entice him to return.

The issue with Farrell’s reappearance in “The Batman Part II” arises due to the potential confirmation of season 2 for “The Penguin.” This could potentially reveal Cobb’s survival, which was one of the criticisms against “Part II” because it made The Penguin more invulnerable and lessened the sense of danger. To maintain suspense and keep all characters, including Batman, guessing, it might be wiser to delve further into this universe through another character’s story. The acclaimed Sofia Gigante episode featuring Cristin Milioti in “The Penguin” series demonstrates that the intrigue isn’t exclusive to the Oz show.

Even if Farrell doesn’t choose to reappear or The Penguin meets his end in “The Batman Part II”, LeFranc could still provide an outstanding performance by taking a different approach. Although the anticipated GCPD and Arkham Asylum series were postponed, it seems that aspects of Arkham have been integrated into “The Penguin”. LeFranc discussed why well-known inmates like Harley Quinn and Barry Keoghan’s Joker were not visible during Sofia’s imprisonment; however, he hinted at the possibility that they might have been present.

If Reeves doesn’t revive the Arkham Asylum series, there’s a possibility that LeFranc might delve into one of Batman’s legendary adversaries instead. The chilly backdrop of the Penguin’s first season has sparked speculation about Mr. Freeze, and Reeves himself has suggested a possible Harvey Dent courtroom drama. The Penguin has built upon the gritty foundation laid by The Batman, and it seems this is merely the beginning of an expansive universe.

In light of criticisms that Todd Phillips’ “Joker” films didn’t fully utilize their rich landscape of Easter eggs and potential villains, Warner Bros.’ vision for the Reevesverse could involve numerous projects bridging the gaps between movies. Reeves has hinted at “The Penguin” serving as a prelude to the next film, and with him planning a Batman trilogy for Robert Pattinson, viewers will undoubtedly crave more after the end of “The Batman Part II”. Whether it’s a visit to the Iceberg Lounge or engaging with one of Gotham’s other intricate villains, the studio should aim to keep fans satisfied.

Read More

2024-11-16 04:05