Colin Farrell did such a marvellous job at playing The Penguin in The Batman, that the character has been given his own spin-off.
HBO Max has announced it will release a limited series with Farrell reprising his role as the underworld kingpin, Oswald Cobblepot.
Confirming the exciting spin-off, the actor said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter: ‘The world that Matt Reeves created for The Batman is one that warrants a deeper gaze through the eyes of Oswald Cobblepot.
‘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.’
Matt Reeves, who directed The Batman starring Robert Pattinson and Zoe Kravitz, added: ‘Colin exploded off the screen as the Penguin in The Batman, and having the chance to thoroughly explore the inner life of that character on HBO Max is an absolute thrill.’
The series’ showrunner Lauren LeFranc said she has ‘long been a fan’ of Batman and that Reeves’ new film is ‘such a powerful and bold entry in 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?’ she added.
The Penguin is just one of many spin-off ideas that HBO Max has been developing. Another would follow the Gotham police force, which Reeves said was no longer in the works and has instead morphed into a story set in Arkham Asylum.