The Penguin isn’t a mob boss yet in Matt Reeves’ The Batman. A first look at Robert Pattinson’s version of the titular DC superhero was revealed in a surprise teaser during a DC FanDome virtual panel with director Reeves. Only a portion of filming for the movie had been completed before production was shut down in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. Filming is expected to resume in the fall, and the movie is currently set for release on October 1, 2021. However, Reeves still offered a first glimpse of the newest version of the Caped Crusader during the virtual event, showing a gritty new take on the masked vigilante.
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The Batman focuses on the detective aspect of Bruce Wayne/Batman as he tries to solve a series of crimes in Gotham City while facing familiar foes. The film is packed with iconic Batman characters, including The Riddler (Paul Dano), Selina Kyle/Catwoman (Zoë Kravitz), and Carmine Falcone (John Turturro). However, much of the attention has gone to the quick glimpse of Colin Farrell’s unrecognizable transformation into Oswald Cobblepot/The Penguin. But Reeves says Farrell’s version of the kingpin antagonist will be more of an origin story than other iterations.
During his panel at DC FanDome, Reeves announced that The Penguin will not have fully emerged into his mob boss persona yet when he is introduced in the film. “Oz is not yet the kingpin that he’s going to become. He’s The Penguin and in fact doesn’t like being called The Penguin,” said Reeves. The director went on to say that most of the characters in the upcoming film will be versions of the Batman villains that fans have never seen before, explaining that the characters will all be connected through a single mystery that Batman must solve. Reeves also emphasized the darker portrayals the actors will bring to the characters.
The small glimpse of The Penguin during the trailer shows an unrecognizable Farrell in prosthetics that many fans on social media have likened to actor Richard Kind. The new footage of Farrell’s Penguin as he appears to be being chased by the Batmobile is so quick that it’s almost easy to miss, but fans were shocked by the dramatic transformation.
Reeves’ news of The Penguin origin story is likely adding even more anticipation for the fans. From what Reeves has revealed about the character, it seems like he will be a much darker, intense version than fans are used to. While Danny Devito’s over-the-top portrayal in Tim Burton’s Batman Returns is probably the most iconic version of the character so far, it will be nice to see how Farrell will show how The Penguin evolves into the infamous kingpin when The Batman is released.
Source: DC FanDome
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