HBO Max’s slate of original DC projects continues to grow. The streamer has commissioned a spinoff to Matt Reeves‘ highly anticipated film The Batman before it’s even arrived, which will focus on The Penguin, one of the caped crusaders most famous adversaries.
The show will reportedly be a “Scarface-like” origin story that traces the rise of Oswald Cobblepot’s criminal empire. No actors are confirmed to star in the project, but Colin Farrell, who will play the Penguin in the film, has apparently been approached to reprise his role.
Lauren LeFranc (Impulse, Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.), will write the show, while Reeves’ 6th And Idaho banner will produce.
HBO Max have clearly made DC-related properties a priority for their platform. They already have a prequel series about corruption in the Gotham police department in the works, as well as The Suicide Squad spinoff Peacemaker, and shows based around DC favourites Batgirl and Blue Beetle.
Although it’s a shame that another show has to resort to focusing on an origin story nobody really asked for, this new method of quickly developing spinoffs to big upcoming movies might become a trend. It allows studios to get the best of both worlds – a big movie and a potentially successful long-running series – and is another way to develop content based on existing IP.
We’ll likely learn more about all of HBO Max’s DC shows during the upcoming DC FanDome event in mid-October, when the new trailer for The Batman is expected to debut. Reeves’ film, which has already been delayed a couple of times, is currently scheduled to hit cinemas on March 4, 2022.
#Peace.Love.Penguin
