HBO Max’s new hit show “The Penguin” has set new records and captivated many fans around the world. Whether you’re into crime drama, mafia stories, or a big comic book fan, The Penguin has something for you to enjoy. Collin Farrell’s portrayal of Oswald “Oz” Cobblepot has left everyone in awe and surely has the potential to be nominated for many awards. The process of making this show, however, seemed challenging for the cast and the crew.
Gotham’s New Crime Lord
The Penguin is a gritty spinoff from The Batman (2022), portraying the rise of Oswald Cobblepot, also known as the Penguin, within Gotham City’s criminal underworld. After the death of crime boss Carmine Falcone, the power vacuum sets the stage for Cobblepot to consolidate control and establish himself as Gotham’s kingpin. The series also introduces rivalries, including one with Sofia Falcone, Carmine’s daughter, who emerges from Arkham Asylum seeking power and vengeance, and new friendships, with the introduction of Victor Aguilar, a loyal associate of Oswald whose stuttering adds depth to his character. His relationship with Oswald is one of mutual respect and utility.
From Cinema To TV
In order to transit the story of The Batman into a TV series while retaining cinematic quality, the production of The Penguin had to be a monumental effort, combining extensive planning, research, and innovative design to create Gotham’s gritty and immersive world. The production shifted Gotham’s visual identity from the UK-based architecture of The Batman to New York City, emphasizing the city’s real-life gritty charm. The team focused on lesser-polished areas like Yonkers and the Bronx, creating a unique look influenced by classic films like The French Connection.
There are numerous key locations in the series, like the Iceberg Lounge and Penguin’s Diamond District lair that were reimagined with intricate detail, reflecting characters’ personalities and aspirations. Hidden Easter eggs in the design, including references to comic books and iconic Penguin props, added layers of meaning for attentive viewers.
The makeup
Collin Farrell’s transformation to The Penguin was a significant undertaking that presented unique challenges for the makeup and prosthetics team, as well as for Farrell himself. Mike Marino, the lead prosthetics artist, created intricate latex sculptures that transformed Farrell’s appearance. The design included facial scars, a long nose resembling a bird’s beak, and textured skin to portray the Penguin’s disheveled and menacing look. All elements had to align with the character’s persona while maintaining mobility for Farrell’s performance.
The makeup process took about three hours each day, containing layers prosthetics, wigs, and body suits. The extensive work required precision and patience from the artists, who had to ensure the pieces looked natural and stayed intact during filming. maintaining the durability and integrity of the prosthetics under demanding conditions was another issue, as the series format required consisting filming over weeks.
It was physically taxing for Farrell to wear heavy prosthetics for long hours, as Farell described it as “being buried under layers of someone else’s artistry,” which initially felt claustrophobic but eventually became integral to his performance. He mentioned that after the transformation was complete, he didn’t recognize himself, which added to the psychological immersion into Cobblepot’s dark, cunning personality. Additionally, the prosthetics and costumes made physical movements and facial expressions almost impossible.
Despite these challenges, the effort paid off, with the character receiving widespread acclaim for its realism and depth. The show broke several records during its run, including holding the No. 1 spot on HBO’s streaming charts for eight consecutive weeks. Its first episode amassed 5.3 million viewers in its debut weekend and exceeded 14.2 million total views over time. It also achieved consistent viewership growth, culminating in a high of 1.8 million viewers on a single day for the fifth episode. The Penguin has received remarkable reviews and ratings, claiming 89% from Rotten Tomatoes and average score 8.5, with the finale rated at 9.6 from IMDB, demonstrating its consistent quality and audience appeal.
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The Penguin series was such an epic show! I never expected the makeup process to take that long.
“HBO Max’s new show ‘The Penguin’ is absolutely amazing! Colin Farrell’s performance as Oswald ‘Oz’ Cobblepot is outstanding and has the potential to win many awards. The challenges faced during the making of this show reflect the dedication and hard work of all the cast and crew, which is truly commendable. I can’t wait to see how the story unfolds in the upcoming episodes!”
I’m sure it will be your top 10!