Max's The Penguin Teaser Gives Off Major Sopranos Vibes
Streaming service Max, which will soon be dropping the HBO moniker from its title, has finally released the first look at Matt Reeves' highly anticipated television series, "The Penguin." The Max drama will follow up Reeves' wildly popular "The Batman" film, with Gotham City in a state of disaster and civil unrest. Starring Colin Farrell as the ambitious and malicious villain, "The Penguin" aims to be a darker take on the waddling troublemaker than we've seen before. This new approach gives off a dangerous and sinister vibe that is strikingly similar to the beloved HBO hit "The Sopranos."
"The Batman" introduces a realistic depiction of several iconic antagonists, including the towering crime boss Carmine Falcone (John Turturro). Falcone is ultimately murdered by The Riddler (Paul Dano) in order to continue orchestrating his grand plan for the city. Following his death, Oswald Cobblepot (aka the titular Penguin) seizes the power that fills the void Falcone's absence leaves behind. This sets him up to lead his own mini-series as an unforgiving anti-hero, who bears a striking resemblance to the violent mafioso Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini).
The series itself is also darker in tone than "The Batman," which was already grimmer than previous incarnations. The combination of these elements gives the entire show a similar feeling to the groundbreaking portrayals in "The Sopranos," setting "The Penguin" apart from other colorful DC properties.
The Penguin eerily resembles notorious mob boss Tony Soprano
The Penguin has been utilized on numerous occasions in "Batman" history, with each iteration bringing something new and distinctive to the character. Danny DeVito infused horror into his performance with a bloodthirsty depiction of the savage brute in Tim Burton's "Batman Returns." In Fox's "Gotham" series, Robin Lord Taylor embraces the character's desperation and maniacal instability alongside a complicated relationship with Edward Nygma/The Riddler (Cory Michael Smith). Colin Farrell, on the other hand, does something entirely different with The Penguin by elevating him into a formidable enemy who rules the city with an iron flipper.
Farrell's impressive acting abilities add a terrifying layer to The Penguin by portraying him as a powerful and unpredictable force. Without The Batman (Robert Pattinson) around, Cobblepot is able to wreak havoc across the ruined city as he thrives in the flooded streets. He instills fear in his enemies as "the new kingpin of Gotham" by using the same tactics as Tony Soprano: rage and violence. The two are even dressed similarly in black, tough-guy leather jackets, and collared shirts to reflect their great importance.
Judging by the unsettling teaser for "The Penguin," Cobblepot will engage in the same activity as Tony, giving the series a bleak feel. He'll continue navigating Gotham's criminal underground to achieve his dastardly ambitions and annihilate those who get in his way. Like Tony, Cobblepot is privy to unloading a clip or two whenever things don't go according to plan, giving the series the signature "Sopranos" touch.