Summary
It’s all going quiet in Gotham City once again, but as the credits roll on HBO’sThe Penguin, it feels like things are only just getting started. Colin Farrell reprised his role as Oz Cobb from 2022’sThe Batman, and as the first of a promised expanded universe of spin-off shows,The Penguinhas continued the legacy of the Reevesverse in style.
Praised as amodern version ofThe Sopranos,The Penguinhas broken through when even the Marvel Cinematic Universe is struggling with superhero saturation. WithThe Penguindestined to be remembered as one of HBO’s best shows in years, there’s been obvious talk about a potential season 2. But, should Cobb be left where he is, or will fans be tuning in for another run?
The Penguin Could Return for Season 2
The Penguinhas wrapped Oz’s story (for now), with the waddling mobster rising to the top of the criminal empire in Gotham City. Director Matt Reeves and Farrell have confirmed thatCobb will be back for the upcomingThe Batman Part II, although it’s unclear whether he’ll be the big bad or have a minor role like inThe Batman.
There’s no official word on Oz’s potential appearance beyond Reeves' plans forThe Batman Part III, but speaking toThe Direct,The Penguinshowrunner Lauren LeFranc has said she’s willing to helm another season ofThe Penguinon one condition. LeFranc said she’d love to keep playing in the sandbox of Gotham City and admitted:
“I mean, we put it all out on the table. I think that to do a second season, we have to feel like we can top ourselves. We have to feel like there’s something more there to really dig into.”
ConsideringThe Penguinwas 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 acclaimedWandaVisionremains a limited series, there’s a buzz aboutAgatha All Alonggetting a season 2. The same goes for FX’sShōgun, which was expanded from a miniseries to a three-season order.
More than just LeFranc grabbing headlines, Reeves has also sparked the idea ofThe Penguinseason 2 when speaking toInterview Magazine. Although the director didn’t directly address the idea of another season for Cobb, he told the outlet:
“We have been talking about doing other shows. I wanted to make sure that we didn’t do the origin tale, which so many of the other series have done. I think the idea of being able to put a lens on these characters is a really exciting idea.”
Reeves reiterated that it’s about building out Gotham City and focusing on this ‘novelistic epic crime saga,’ while fans picked up on a line saying, “Oz’s story IS Oz’s story.” With Reeves avoiding the past tense, there’s a glimmer of hope thatThe Penguinseason 2 could arrive in apost-The Batman Part IIworld. Then again, there’s always too much of a good thing.
The Penguin Should Remain a Limited Series
Shows likePrison BreakandHeroeswere accused of dropping off after their stellar first seasons, and even though it’s hard to seeThe Penguingoing down the same route, HBO did struggle with second seasons ofBig Little LiesandTrue Detective(although the latter was an anthology). There’s also the success ofDamon Lindelof’sWatchmenfor the network, which despite cries for a second season, has remained a near-perfect limited series.
Before fans go cheering forThe Penguinseason 2, a major stumbling block could be Farrell himself. Speaking to Total Film (viaGamesRadar), the show’s lead opened up about his discomfort at spendinghours in the makeup chair:
“When I finished I was like, ‘I never want to put that fucking suit and that f**king head on again.'”
It doesn’t exactly sound like he’s rushing to get back into character, but similar to Daniel Craig’s infamous quote about preferring to slit his wrists than play James Bond again, Farrell could easily be lured back.
Farrell’s return forThe Batman Part IIis another problem because ifThe Penguinseason 2 is confirmed, it would seemingly spoil Cobb’s survival. This was one ofThe Penguin’s few complaints thanks to his role inPart IIcladding him in plot armor and taking away some of the danger. In terms of keeping everyone (and Batman) on their toes, it might be best to keep expanding this world with someone else’s story. After all,The Penguin’s Sofia Gigante (Cristin Milioti) episodebeing lauded as one of the best TV episodes of modern times shows it’s not just the Oz show.
Even if Farrell doesn’t want to return or the Penguin meets his maker inThe Batman Part II, LeFranc could deliver another stellar outing in a different way. Despite the disappointment that the proposed GCPD and Arkham Asylum series were placed on hold, elements of the latter feel like they were folded intoThe Penguin. LeFranc spoke out about why famous inmates like Harley Quinn andBarry Keoghan’s Jokerweren’t seen in the background of Sofia’s incarceration, although she suggested they might’ve been there.
If not resurrecting the Arkham Asylum series, Reeves’ hints of more shows could see LeFranc tackle one of the Caped Crusader’s most iconic foes.The Penguinseason 1’s winter setting has already got people talking about Mr. Freeze, while Reeves has even given the nod to apotential Harvey Dent legal drama.The Penguinhas continued the gritty groundwork put in place byThe Batman, and it’s clear this is just the start of an expanded universe.
With critiques that Todd Phillips’Jokermovies failed to make good on their expansive playground of Easter eggs and potential villains, Warner Bros.’ vision for the Reevesverse could see multiple projects filling the gaps between movies. Reeves has previously referred toThe Penguinas an entrée to the next movie, and with him charging ahead with aBatman trilogy for Robert Pattinson, audiences are sure to be hungry for another course after the credits roll onThe Batman Part II. Whether dining at the Iceberg Lounge or having dinner with one of Gotham’s other complex villains, the studio would be wise to keep fans fed.
