THE PENGUIN Showrunner On Finale's "Elegant" THE BATMAN PART II Hand Off And Big [SPOILER] Tease

THE PENGUIN Showrunner On Finale's "Elegant" THE BATMAN PART II Hand Off And Big [SPOILER] Tease

The Penguin concluded tonight with a shocking finale that laid the groundwork for The Batman Part II, and showrunner Lauren LeFranc has now weighed-in on the episode's biggest moments...

By MarkCassidy - Nov 10, 2024 11:11 PM EST
Filed Under: The Batman

HBO's The Penguin limited series wrapped-up tonight with a shocking finale that saw Oz Cobb (Colin Farrell) establish himself as the new king of Gotham's criminal underworld - at the cost of whatever shred of humanity he may have had left.

After first getting Sofia Falcone Gigante (Cristin Milioti) out of his way by sending her back to Arkham, Oz decided that he couldn't leave any more room for weakness, murdering his young protégé Victor (Rhenzy Feliz) even as he begged for his life.

We then see Oz return to his penthouse after spending the evening with his new high-society associates, now more delusional than ever as he dances with Eve Karlo (Carmen Ejogo) - who is dressed in his mom's clothes - while his actual mother (Deirdre O’Connell) lies in a vegetative state upstairs.

Oz believes himself to be untouchable now, but the finale concludes with a shot of the Bat-Signal illuminating the Gotham skyline.

During an interview with Variety, showrunner Lauren LeFranc explained why she chose to end the episode by reminding viewers that the Dark Knight is still out there.

“We were searching for an elegant way to hand off our show to The Batman. It felt correct to have the Bat-Signal to undercut him and say, ‘You have not made it to the top yet. You are living in this fantasy, but there’s a real larger world out there.’’”

The Bat-Signal wasn't the only tease of what's to come in Matt Reeves' sequel, as we also see Sofia receive a letter from her half-sister Selina Kyle, aka Catwoman (Zoë Kravitz).

LeFranc says there was never any discussion of a Catwoman cameo because she "wasn't able to use" the character.

“I think it was to the benefit, because with Sofia, for instance, she was given a lot more room because we didn’t have so many other characters from the film. It’d be easy to get caught up in that, and then push other characters that I find really interesting aside.”

Milioti declined to reveal the contents of the letter — which LeFranc wrote — but the smile on Sofia's face as she reads it suggests that a team-up might be on the cards.

“It had enormous meaning to me… in the way that you become close with who you’re playing,” said the actress. “I think it’s about hope, which is not something she’s terribly familiar with.”

The Penguin stars Colin Farrell (Oz Cobb), Cristin Milioti (Sofia Falcone), Rhenzy Feliz (Victor Aguilar), Michael Kelly (Johnny Viti), Shohreh Aghdashloo (Nadia Maroni), Deirdre O’Connell (Francis Cobb), Clancy Brown (Salvatore Maroni), James Madio (Milos Grapa), Scott Cohen (Luca Falcone), Michael Zegen (Alberto Falcone), Carmen Ejogo (Eve Karlo), and Theo Rossi (Dr. Julian Rush).

The eight-episode DC Studios drama series continues The Batman epic crime saga that filmmaker Matt Reeves began with Warner Bros. Pictures’ global blockbuster The Batman, and centers on the character played by Farrell in the film.

The series is executive produced by Matt Reeves, Dylan Clark, Colin Farrell, Lauren LeFranc, who writes and serves as showrunner, Craig Zobel, who directs the first three episodes, and Bill Carraro. Based on characters created for DC by Bob Kane with Bill Finger, the show is produced by Reeves’ 6th & Idaho Productions and Dylan Clark Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television, where Reeves and 6th & Idaho are under an overall deal. Daniel Pipski also serves as executive producer.

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SonOfAGif
SonOfAGif - 11/11/2024, 12:04 AM
I don't understand how a show can exist in the same continuity as a movie and created by the same Director of the movie but certain characters are "off limits". How is Catwoman visiting her half sister something that can be a detriment to her story in another movie? Things like that make no sense to me.
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 11/11/2024, 12:11 AM
@SonOfAGif - I assume Reeves simply doesn't have the final say on certain things.
SonOfAGif
SonOfAGif - 11/11/2024, 12:13 AM
@MarkCassidy - Which that also bothers me. Reeves is guaranteed to direct The Batman II, So a simple cameo is just that a cameo. I would understand if it was a scene of Catwoman stealing from The Triads. That's something that would have consequences. But a simple visit is something that doesn't need the general audience to be obligated to watch The Penguin. I guess Multiverse of Madness scared some of these shows due to many people not watching Wandavision. But I feel like Brave New World may suffer from the same complaints due to many people not watching Falcon & The Winter Soldier.
Gambito
Gambito - 11/11/2024, 12:33 AM
@SonOfAGif - iirc it’s a WB thing they don’t want Batman on the small screen they think that devalues the cinematic icon status of the character which is true. That’s why on Gotham he shows up for just one frame and why he never appeared on Smallville or the Arrowverse despite several attempts
McMurdo
McMurdo - 11/11/2024, 12:34 AM
@MarkCassidy - I highly doubt WB blocked this. Guarantee this is on Reeves.
dragon316
dragon316 - 11/11/2024, 3:47 AM
@SonOfAGif - avengers infinity war and end game all over again people expect Adam warlock show up they never got it until guardians of galaxy three ,
JustAWaffle
JustAWaffle - 11/11/2024, 6:50 AM
@McMurdo - I think it’s a money/contract thing. Just my initial hunch.
Spoken
Spoken - 11/11/2024, 11:40 AM
@Gambito - Not necessarily. That was the way twenty years ago, but WB has certainly laxed on that. In the past five years we got to see five-six live-action Batmen spread through TV & film.
HAUSMAN01
HAUSMAN01 - 11/11/2024, 12:11 AM
The best live action comic book series hands down up there for the best with Daredevil and THE BOYS for sure.
Nomis929
Nomis929 - 11/11/2024, 12:22 AM
Excellent series and amazing finale!
dracula
dracula - 11/11/2024, 12:26 AM
Guess we are going from a murder mystery to a gang war

Nice
MisterBones
MisterBones - 11/11/2024, 12:44 AM
@dracula - didn’t Reeves say another murder mystery would still be at the center of part 2? Maybe I’m mistake
MisterBones
MisterBones - 11/11/2024, 12:50 AM
Selina and Sofia teaming up would be something.

Oz Cobb…you aren’t seeing the pearly gates after tonight’s episode
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MahN166A
MahN166A - 11/11/2024, 1:08 AM
If they are gonna continue with the Gang War or someone trying to take hold of Gotham, I would expect Black Mask to show up and interrupt Oz from controlling the city.

This show hit every note! And this final episode is [frick]ed up! 👏🏽👏🏽
DaHULK2000
DaHULK2000 - 11/11/2024, 1:16 AM
Can't belive you guys like this derivative garbage.

D.O.A.
JustAWaffle
JustAWaffle - 11/11/2024, 6:53 AM
@DaHULK2000 - A lot of people are liking it, so I don’t know what you mean by DOA. You’re in an extreme minority.

I can also understand not liking a show (I can even understand why some people liked The Marvels). But you honestly can’t believe it? Is it that hard to understand?
Spoken
Spoken - 11/11/2024, 10:37 AM
@DaHULK2000 - A lot better than Rocky 4 I'll say that.
micvalpro
micvalpro - 11/11/2024, 1:33 AM
I’ve said it before, keep The Batman on HBO, we don’t need movies that take 5 years to put out each time. Pattinson will be 50 by the time 3 comes out.
This show was so satisfying. Just continue from here in a series format.
TheJok3r
TheJok3r - 11/11/2024, 1:55 AM
@micvalpro - There's too much money in movies that can't be made on HBO. A reboot, following the failed DCEU, in the middle of a pandemic, on a limit 45 day theatrical run, managed to make over $750 million at the box office. Imagine how much part II will make without any of those constraints holding it back.
Forthas
Forthas - 11/11/2024, 1:36 AM
This show is better that The Batman in my opinion leaving aside the movie has a lot more constraints that an eight episode series. But excellent all around!
Nomis929
Nomis929 - 11/11/2024, 1:56 AM
@Forthas - Agreed. This show made me look forward to the Batman 2 than the Batman movie itself!
Forthas
Forthas - 11/11/2024, 9:13 AM
@Nomis929 - Yeah! Even though I like The Batman (third best film about the caped Crusader ever made) I hope they make some adjustments with future Batman films. He absolutley needs high tech gadgetry, he needs to create a seperate unique Bruce Wayne identity, and his detective work in the first film was not that impressive.
Nomis929
Nomis929 - 11/11/2024, 9:21 AM
@Forthas - "He absolutley needs high tech gadgetry, he needs to create a seperate unique Bruce Wayne identity, and his detective work in the first film was not that impressive."

Those were some of my biggest complaints about "The Batman" movie. And he need to brush up on his Spanish. Lol!

You liked the movie a bit more than I did. But if they course correct som eof the flaws of the first one, the sequel I think they can have a very solid Batman II movie.
Forthas
Forthas - 11/11/2024, 9:26 AM
@Nomis929 -

"And he need to brush up on his Spanish. Lol!"

Ha! Good one!
TheJester187
TheJester187 - 11/11/2024, 2:08 AM
October 2, 2026 can’t come fast enough. Now we wait on casting and the main villain casting! I rewatched the end 5 times! He’s been here the whole the time. But the Bat signal means business.
kylo0607
kylo0607 - 11/11/2024, 3:50 AM
@TheJester187 - Absolutely crazy that by the time The Batman Part 2 comes out, Avengers: Doomsday would've been out in cinemas for 5 MONTHS.

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TheJester187
TheJester187 - 11/11/2024, 3:47 PM
@kylo0607 - I know smh we been spoiled with more Marvel content of the decades. Which is fine. I just wish Batman got the same content treatment. But we getting there lol
ModHaterSLADE
ModHaterSLADE - 11/11/2024, 2:40 AM
Man, what a great comeback for Farrell with supervillain roles after that goofy take on Bullseye he did in the Affleck Daredevil movie.

The complexity of this Penguin take has to be one of my favorite takes on Batman's rogues so far. He's so easy to loathe, but as the underdog, a part of me was happy to see him hit the big time in the end, top hat and all even though I hated how he betrayed Vic and still wouldn't admit he killed his brothers.
TheRationalNerd
TheRationalNerd - 11/11/2024, 2:51 AM
Yeah, this show is top-tier. Like, that last scene with Oz and Victor hit you in the gut HARD. Just when you started rooting for this guy, he gives you 100 more reasons to hate him. And that's what appeared great villain should do. Some villains are just EVIL.

"The Batman: Part II" is definently going to have a lot riding on its back coming back into the CBM game.

Oz in the world of politics may bring forth a new face...or should I say...Two-Face? 😏

No? I'll see my way out. lol
TheJok3r
TheJok3r - 11/11/2024, 3:53 AM
This version of Penguin is by far the most evil live action character we've gotten in the Batman franchise, and that's saying something considering the number of Jokers we've gotten. The Joker and others have the insanity card to fall back on, this guy is just pure evil. There's nothing insane, tragic, or misunderstood about him, he's just a purely bad human being.
JustAWaffle
JustAWaffle - 11/11/2024, 6:58 AM
@TheJok3r - I had to think on that argument for a minute, but I think you’re right. Joker’s nihilism is fueled by his insanity, but Oz knows exactly what he’s doing and it’s all out of prideful and selfish motives
Doomsday8888
Doomsday8888 - 11/11/2024, 4:05 AM
What a great show and what an amazing finale, can't believe this show is in the same continuity with that boring ass The Batman movie, man i'm glad Batpattinson never showed up.

Gonna legit watch The Batman II for the Penguin and Sofia, lel.
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 11/11/2024, 6:55 AM
So, as much as I loved this series overall, I'm not sure I bought Oz killing Vic for literally no other reason than him trying to rid himself of his humanity etc. if he really wanted to purge himself of anything that might make him feel or be viewed as weak, wouldn't his mother have had to go too? And Eve? I get it from a character standpoint, I just don't know if it was written as well as it could be.
JustAWaffle
JustAWaffle - 11/11/2024, 7:00 AM
@MarkCassidy - I’d say because of his pride and selfishness he chose to zero in on Victor as his scapegoat for weakness.
Forthas
Forthas - 11/11/2024, 9:23 AM
@MarkCassidy - The only reason I bought it (kind of) is that Vic was mimicking Oz in the way he could manipulate others and Oz may have thought that someday he be in a position to supplant him. His mother and Eve were not in a position where that was ever going to be a threat. It was not so much that he could not have a weakness in his life around, it was more that he could not have it around where it could be positioned to turn against him. I think the show should have made a parallel more clear...when the gangster guy told Francis that Oz could become the type of person that rises to higher levels in the criminal underworld...the same thing applied to Vic. So whereas Francis did not stop Penguin's rise, Oz did stop Vic’s to preserve his own future.

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