'The Penguin' will lead directly into 'The Batman Part II'.

After the success of The Batman (2022), the film directed by Matt Reeves and starring Robert Pattinson, the universe of the Gotham vigilante will continue to expand in different directions. In addition to an announced film sequel, Warner Bros. is working on several small screen projects and one of the first to premiere will be The Penguin, a live-action series starring Colin Farrell in the title role, which will be available through HBO and Max.

Lauren LeFranc (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), showrunner and screenwriter of the series, compared this production to gangster movies like Scarface, explaining that it will be a story about its protagonist's rise to power. “We are in the world of Oz. We live in the underworld of the city. Oz is an agent of change. He is not a person that you should trust. He's very smart and methodical, but he's also very impulsive. You can't predict what he's going to do,” he acknowledged.

According to its synopsis, the passing of Carmine Falcone at the end of The Batman left a void to be filled in Gotham. As various people see to seize power, Oswald Cobblepot (Farrell) embarks on his journey facing obstacles, while discovering both his weaknesses and strengths. LeFranc also explained how The Penguin is part of a larger plan for the franchise, as it will function as a bridge between The Batman and its sequel. “We're the bridge between the two movies. We go almost directly into the second movie that Matt Reeves has planned,” he added.

The Penguin, the first spin-off of The Batman, will premiere only on HBO and Max during the month of September. The Batman: Part II, on the other hand, has a theatrical release date of October 2, 2026.