Matt Reeves, a cinematic genius known for his diverse range of films such as Planet of the Apes Caesar Trilogy, stunned the world with his interpretation of Gotham in 2022’s The Batman. The gritty, noir aesthetic and cinematography won over audiences around the world. Now, curiosity has grown as Reeves reintroduces his version of the iconic city with HBO’s limited series The Penguin.
The show centers on Colin Farrell’s Oswald Cobe aka Penguin and his rise to power in Gotham’s criminal underworld. Farrell’s transformation as the ruthless but cunning villain in The Batman was so profound that it earned him a slew of praise and accolades, leading to his own spin-off series.
Speaking to Collider, the director praised Ferrell’s exceptional portrayal of the complex character and credited him for the show’s success. When asked if it was tough talking about a show that was so well received, Reeves joked, “Yeah, it’s terrifying.” But later, he clarified, saying it was “exciting.”
He said, “You’re always worried about how something will be received, but so far, the reception has been fantastic.” However, the director already had a premonition about the show’s fate because of one and only reason – Colin Farrell. “Colin is a force of nature. He’s so extraordinary and so special,” he said, expressing confidence in the show’s success.
Reeves also praised the supporting cast for their equally engaging roles. When Ferrell applied his makeup and prosthetics, something “clicked” inside him and he delivered a more nuanced character than Reeves had imagined. “He got into the character in a way I’ve never seen before. I knew at least people would be excited about it because he’s so special,” the director said.
Apart from directing the hit 2022 DC film starring Robert Pattinson and Zoe Kravitz, he has also been a part of the franchise’s animated series, Batman: Caped Crusader. When asked about the show’s future and a possible third season, Reeves neither confirmed nor denied. “There’s a variety of criteria to arrive at that. It’s based on the first month’s performance, and those are meetings we still have to have,” he joked. But he and his team are “keeping our fingers crossed” to hear some good news.
HBO’s latest drama miniseries, The Penguins, is available to stream on Max and Jio Cinema.