Today, The Batman passed $301 million at the worldwide box office, so we can't pretend to be even a little bit surprised that Warner Bros. has confirmed The Penguin (a working title) has received a straight-to-series order from HBO Max. Colin Farrell will reprise the role of Oswald Cobblepot, while The Batman director Matt Reeves will executive produce alongside Dylan Clark, Farrell, and Lauren LeFranc (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), who writes and serves as showrunner.
"Colin exploded off the screen as the Penguin in The Batman, and having the chance to thoroughly explore the inner life of that character is an absolute thrill," Reeves says. "Dylan and I are so excited to work with Lauren in continuing Oz’s story as he grabs violently for power in Gotham."
"The world that Matt Reeves created for ‘The Batman’ is one that warrants a deeper gaze through the eyes of Oswald Cobblepot," Farrell adds. "I couldn’t be more excited about continuing this exploration of Oz as he rises through the darkened ranks to become The Penguin. Will be good to get him back on the streets of Gotham for a little madness and a little mayhem."
LeFranc has also commented on the news, saying: "I have long been a fan of the world of The Batman, and Matt’s film is such a powerful and bold entry into the canon. I am excited and humbled to continue telling stories in the grimy world of Gotham City – and what better excuse to channel my inner villain than to tell the story of Oswald Cobblepot? I am thrilled to work with Colin, Matt, Dylan, 6th & Idaho, Warners, and HBO Max as we work to bring this story to the screen."
Since opening last week, The Batman has earned $155.6 million at the North American box office through Tuesday, and $145.7 million internationally for a global total of $301.3 million.
There's no word on the other spinoff, which now appears to be in a state of flux. While the original plan was to put the spotlight on a corrupt Gotham City cop during Batman's "Year One" as a vigilante, it's now evolved into being a project set in Arkham State Hospital (possibly after the events of The Batman). However, given the well-known character at its centre, The Penguin is a bigger priority.