The Penguin Was More Tasking Than The Batman In One Major Way

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Summary

  • The Penguin is an accomplished show that matches up to “The Batman,” while managing to make its titular character disliked.
  • The makeup design for The Penguin was challenging due to different conditions and Colin Farrell’s hair.
  • Despite challenges, The Penguin received critical acclaim and award nominations and may have a second season on the way.

As a lifelong cinephile who’s seen my fair share of comic book adaptations, I can confidently say that The Penguin has been one of the most captivating and well-executed shows to come out of the genre in recent memory. While it may have faced some unique challenges due to its focus on a villainous character, the team behind the show managed to pull off something truly special.

The spin-off series “The Penguin” has demonstrated its value numerous times, whether as a standalone production or as a derivative work. However, a key team member disclosed that the hit show faced several significant challenges that even its theatrical predecessor didn’t encounter.

In recent spin-off productions, “The Penguin” series has been a standout, surpassing the expectations set by Matt Reeves’ 2022 film “The Batman.” The show not only maintained the quality and atmosphere of the original project but also managed to make its main character, Oswald Cobblepot, less likable, a challenge many had underestimated. This clever portrayal has solidified “The Penguin” as one of the best shows in its genre in quite some time. With a compelling start and continuous improvement throughout its eight-episode season, episodes were broadcast on HBO before appearing on Max for streaming. The series concluded with a chilling, intensely satisfying finale that underscored Oz Cobblepot as a true villain and laid the groundwork for further captivating storytelling in Matt Reeves’ Elseworld universe.

After wrapping up its run, “The Penguin” has been showered with numerous award nominations, positive reviews, and adoration from fans. However, this success didn’t come without challenges in a crucial aspect. In an interview with TheWrap, Mike Marino, the makeup designer responsible for transforming Colin Farrell into the unsavory Gotham gangster, admitted that bringing the character to life was significantly more challenging on the show than in 2022’s “The Batman.” According to Marino, it was tougher in every aspect. “We always aim to build things that look great up close,” he explained, “but now we’re working in different lighting conditions with less control. We have extreme close-ups of makeup, which makes it much more difficult.” Despite the performance being exceptional, Oz Cobbs, played by Farrell, wasn’t the central character in “The Batman,” offering more lenient circumstances for the makeup team.

Apart from discussing the unique challenges of creating a series focusing on the antagonist, Marino also highlighted one significant issue that made the production of The Penguin more complex: Colin Farrell’s voluminous hair that refuses to stay flat. As Marino explained, “Colin’s hair is always standing up due to its size; that’s why he wears a headband during interviews and such—the hair wants to stick up. The daily task of flattening it and making him look bald is the biggest challenge. Other factors like lighting, color correction, and various other aspects also play a role in determining the success or failure of this project.

In the realm of comic book movies, CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery) has become predominant because many characters and ideas within these stories are hard to create with traditional effects. However, unlike most cases, The Penguin character stands out as an exception where practical effects are still feasible. Given that the show’s protagonist requires prosthetics and significant cosmetic alterations to exist, the makeup department plays a crucial role, and they certainly rose to the occasion in this instance.

Marino, along with several other team members, have an intimate understanding of the character, manifested throughout their work. This expertise earned them nominations for makeup, special makeup effects, and hairstyling (not Oz), recognitions that are well-deserved. Although The Penguin may not require a second season, talks are ongoing with showrunner Lauren LeFranc for another installment of the project. If a second season is confirmed, the makeup department would be hopeful that Farrell reprises his role to simplify the process this time. Fans would undoubtedly appreciate another season filled with captivating character development, and a second season could pave the way for the third film in the planned Batman trilogy, as season one did for the second.

In essence, it’s increasingly apparent that Robert Pattinson’s Batman films could potentially extend beyond a trilogy, much like Tom Holland’s Spider-Man run. It seems inevitable that Oz Cobb will face his due consequences, and characters like him are the key reason why The Batman franchise holds such great potential. For the time being, fans can only anticipate what the filmmaker and creative team might do with this golden opportunity that the development of The Penguin character has provided.

The Penguin is available to stream on Max.

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2024-12-26 20:04