WARNING: The following contains MAJOR SPOILERS forThe Penguin!
The Bat-signal lighting the Gotham skyline was more than just a nice homage to the Caped Crusader, saysThe Penguinshowrunner, Lauren LeFranc, asthe series leads directly intoThe Batman: Part II.In the phenomenal final episode, titled “A Great or Little Thing,” Oz makes it to the top of Gotham’s underworld, donning his classic black and white suit, while looking out from his new hotel penthouse. But, as the camera pulls out on a victorious Oz, the unmistakable symbol of justice lights the night sky. It’s the closest fans come toseeing Batman inThe Penguin,but LeFranc says there’s a good reason for that.
Speaking toEntertainment Weekly, showrunner Lauren LeFranc and executive producer Matt Reeves revealed howThe Penguinwill tie-in toThe Batman: Part II, and whether the series will return for a second season. “I’m like, ‘Can I plant something for [Matt Reeves]? Is there something I can do to help your film?’ We have the real estate to do that,” LeFranc said of her eagerness for the hit series to connect to the upcoming sequel. For the showrunner,the plan was always forThe Penguin"to launch into Matt’s second film."
WhileThe Penguinis clearly Oz Cobb’s story,revealing the Bat-signal felt like the perfect way to tie in the series with the sequel,while undercutting Oz’s personal victory in the wider story of Gotham City. LeFranc explained:
“I very much liked the idea of the Batman undercutting the strange, delusional scenario that Oz created for himself at the end, to merit all of his previous actions and to say, ‘I finally made it.’ And then for us to say, ‘Maybe not. Maybe you haven’t.'”
The Penguin Season 2 Is Now Being Cautiously Developed
During the interview, the pair were asked the prevailing questionfollowingThe Penguin’s finale: will there be more? At the time of writing, Season 2 hasn’t officially been greenlit by HBO or anyone from Warner Bros. However, Matt Reeves revealed that they are in the earliest possible talks about where Oz’s story could go in a second season.
“We are, in a very preliminary way — me, Lauren, [Reeves’ producing partner] Dylan [Clark], and Colin — starting to talk about what would be the way,” he said.
Colin Farrell Reveals The Penguin’s Future in The Batman Part II & Part III
Oz Cobb will be ruling Gotham’s streets for a long time, according to Colin Farrell.
If the series is renewed, Matt Reeves said the show’s return has to be earned, and make sense in the wider scope of his sprawling crime drama. He continued:
“For me, what’s really important is that we earn it. The idea of revisiting means that we have to keep that same bar. I know that none of us wants to go back and just do more. We want to go back and do something great. So that’s what we’re talking about now. We do believe that there’s going to be something in there, but it’s just beginning. It’s exciting though. It’s very gratifying.”
Of course, it all depends onthe events ofThe Batman: Part II.According to co-writer Mattson Tomlin, the script is complete, and the sequel is set to begin shooting soon. Oz has been confirmed to appear in the sequel, but it is unclear if he will be the main villain, or play another supporting role.
The Penguin
Created by Lauren LeFranc, The Penguin is a crime-drama spin-off television series of 2022’s film The Batman. Set shortly after the events of The Batman, Oz Cobb, A.K.A. the Penguin, begins his rise in the underworld of Gotham City as he contends with the daughter of his late boss, Carmine Falcone, for control of the crime family’s empire.
