As a lover of all things Batman and a connoisseur of dark, gripping storytelling, I must say that Matt Reeves has truly outdone himself with The Penguin. His ability to breathe new life into such an iconic character is nothing short of astonishing. It’s clear that his years spent directing films like Cloverfield and War for the Planet of the Apes have honed his skill in crafting complex, emotionally resonant narratives.
The television series ‘The Penguin’ has become a massive hit for HBO, boasting an impressive 8.8 rating on IMDb and a Rotten Tomatoes score of 94% from critics and 91% from viewers. This ‘The Batman’ spinoff delves into the story of Oz Cobb, a mid-level mobster who goes by the name ‘the Penguin’, detailing his relentless climb to power as Gotham City’s new crime lord.
As a devoted fan, I’m excited to share that the visionary director Matt Reeves, who steered ‘The Batman’, has been shedding light on the intriguing world of this series and the expansive ‘Batman Epic Crime Saga’ universe. He’s been revealing tantalizing glimpses into what lies ahead for us fans in the future.
REEVES: Oh my god.
INTERVIEWER: Such is life. Wow. Okay.
REEVES: I’m happy to see you, that’s all.
INTERVIEWER: I watched the first two episodes [of The Penguin]. I loved it.
REEVES: You saw the first two. Cool.
As a dedicated gamer, I’ve got to say, that showpiece was nothing short of extraordinary. It’s a breath of fresh air to witness a character truly shine with the screen time they deserve.
As a gamer, diving into the role of a character has always been my favorite part of any game. That’s exactly what intrigued me about the show – it’s not just about Rob or Batman, but about Bruce. In a movie, we barely get a glimpse of Bruce’s perspective due to time constraints, even though our films are said to be the longest Batman saga ever made. The show, however, offers a unique opportunity to explore Bruce’s character in depth, something that would be impossible in a movie.
INTERVIEWER: Alright, so when you began collaborating with Colin Farrell for the film, could you tell us where you started from? Had you already formed a clear image of this character in mind?
Actually, our approach turned out quite differently than anticipated. Instead of spinning an origin story for Batman, we focused on a younger version of him. In my exploration of the comics, I discovered that most of the main villains, or the Rogues Gallery, emerged as a response to Batman. This masked vigilante entering the city seems to have a profound impact, reshaping many individuals in his wake. What intrigued me was imagining a Penguin who hadn’t yet risen to power.
He’s often overlooked or dismissed, and he’s been given the nickname “The Penguin” due to a limp. This label is disrespectful, as it belittles him, but beneath this exterior lies an abundance of ambition that stems from his hardships. It’s a tale of the American Dream tainted by darkness. When I spoke with Colin, I remarked, “His character serves as a misleading clue in the narrative, hinting at deeper layers yet to be revealed.
In our search, we need an informant, and traditionally, a “rat” refers to a mid-level member in the mafia. Thus, I reasoned that people would undoubtedly assume he is the one we’re after. However, it turned out to be John Turturro, or as portrayed in the movie, Carmine Falcone. In this film, we merely touch upon his true character. The intention was to carry on the narrative in the subsequent movie following Falcone’s assassination. Originally, there was a scene that didn’t make it into the final cut where he believes he’s speaking privately with Selina, but she’s wearing contact lenses.
In this scenario, Batman observes the situation unfolding. As he comprehends her intention to join the club, a hint of vulnerability emerges from him, revealing that he holds deeper feelings for her. At this point, it becomes evident that he cares about her deeply, even harboring romantic feelings. When she declines his financial offer, it leaves a painful mark on him. This moment stirs thoughts that perhaps his life is marked by rejection and his ambition stems from a quest for acceptance.
Later on, he remarked, “Even though no one else can see it now, someday this city will be mine.” Colin made an intriguing move. The atmosphere was dense with mystery, hinting at hidden depths. Although his response was lengthy, it succinctly addressed your query.
INTERVIEWER: It’s great. It’s great.
As a gamer, when you asked about Colin’s appearance, I never expected him to look the way he does. You see, Colin was from the movie world, and decided to gain some weight. When I first saw him, I couldn’t help but think, “Oh.” Interestingly enough, there’s a Penguin character in some video games, Telltale, who bears a resemblance to Colin. He’s quite handsome, but something unfortunate happened to his nose during an altercation, giving it a beak-like appearance. I was on the hunt for that sense of vulnerability.
As a devoted fan, I found myself contemplating: How can we subtly reveal Colin Farrell’s vulnerability without altering his striking good looks? This led me to reflect on John Cazale’s character in “The Godfather,” often misunderstood as comical. Yet beneath that facade lay a deep-seated, cunning rage and ambition capable of unimaginable actions. Drawing inspiration from this, I introduced Mike Marino, an exceptionally talented makeup artist, into the project. We delved into John Cazale, Al Capone, various gangsters, aiming to transform Colin while ensuring he remained recognizable. However, my primary concern was that in our pursuit of authenticity, we might inadvertently change Colin Farrell beyond recognition.
To ensure authenticity, I must trust this character is genuinely human, and I require the talented actor, Colin, to bring his unique abilities to life through this role. If even a single scene seems overly dramatic or appears as if it’s a person in makeup, our project will falter. However, the prosthetics are remarkably soft, moving just like real skin. There was something extraordinary about them. Thus, we began conducting tests, and Colin shared a video with me, showcasing his progress on an accent. It felt as if another person emerged. Being beneath that makeup seemed to liberate him.
INTERVIEWER: I ran into him right outside his trailer, and our meeting there was the only time I’ve ever encountered Colin.
REEVES: Did you know it was him beforehand?
INTERVIEWER: I had anticipated it. We immediately embraced, and I found myself in the arms of someone rather intimidating and peculiar. Yet, it turned out to be Colin, which made the whole situation laughably absurd.
REEVES: It’s funny, we just went to Comic-Con, and I was there with Cristin Milioti who plays Sofia. I was talking about that to her, and she said, “I had the exact same experience.” Rhenzy Feliz, who plays Vic, same thing. They both said to me, “I know Colin more as Oz.” He’s such a lovely man.
INTERVIEWER: This character is beautifully complex, as he’s grappling with genuine sorrow in his connection with his mother, yearning to become someone he’s not quite there yet. He elicits empathy, despite the urge to dislike him, but you simply can’t.
As the story unfolds, it becomes progressively grim, and he performs actions that are truly astounding.
INTERVIEWER: Wow.
While what he’s done is inexcusable, there’s room for understanding up to a point. However, his actions lead to an uncomfortable place. It’s the twisted version of the American dream where success is sought at any cost, and love is reduced to a transaction and never feels sufficient, leaving an empty space that can never be fulfilled.
The question posed was about the origin of these injuries. Lauren LeFranc proposed that they stem from his character’s mother. She suggested this dynamic between them. And the chemistry between Lauren and Deirdre O’Connell is simply remarkable. They seem to be dancing, not so much as a mother and child, but in a way that leaves one questioning their relationship. Lauren skillfully led the narrative into a troubling direction, yet this unique bond between these actors is truly captivating.
INTERVIEWER: How did working with Lauren come about?
REEVES: HBO had a strong interest in her work, asking, “Would you consider reading her scripts?” We found her writing captivating. After meeting her, we felt an instant connection. Then I began discussing my vision with her, which involved treating these mythical characters with sincerity and anchoring them in real emotions.
It was a different genre than people had done in Batman before. They’d never really done a detective story to that degree. She did her own deep dive, and she brought in Sofia Falcone and created Vic and the mother, and by the time we finished the movie, we had HBO on board with exactly what the story was. We’re trying to do another movie right now, which I’m writing with Mattson Tomlin.
As a gamer speaking, I’ve got to say, it’s an absolute privilege to be part of a production on HBO. Their quality is second to none, and we feel incredibly fortunate to be included in their lineup. Casey and Sarah have been nothing short of amazing to work with, making this whole experience even more enjoyable.
SERKIS: Amazing. I’m really interested in how Sofia came about.
The interviewer implies that they adapted Carmine from the comics and incorporated elements from “The Long Halloween”, but there seems to be a unique perspective Lauren intended to convey through Sofia’s character. This character makes an intriguing entrance, as she comes across as this powerful force in nature, which Cristin portrays exceptionally well.
Initially, she may appear as a contrasting character, leaving you curious about their shared past. However, I believe it’s more about her journey as a woman navigating through a harsh, male-dominated world, and her determination to defy its toxicity, ultimately transforming into an extraordinary figure. When crafting any narrative, such as during our work on Apes, it’s crucial to find personal connections. During the filming of the first movie with you, Andrew, my son was just beginning to talk. The urgency I saw in you when you said “No!” reminded me of that very moment with Andrew.
Experiencing fatherhood made me realize the animalistic side within us, which led us to delve into familial bonds, particularly between fathers and sons. Collaborating with Lauren provided a chance to create something positive for characters we deeply care about. They possess an iconic allure, much like Batman, who has been my favorite since childhood. As a comics enthusiast, Lauren shares this affinity. It’s fulfilling to develop something that strikes a chord personally.
INTERVIEWER: Absolutely. The character is exquisitely illustrated, and Cristin’s performance was captivating. I found it hard to look away.
REEVES: Yeah, very special.
INTERVIEWER: I was very scared of what she was capable of doing.
REEVES: That’s great.
As a devoted fan, I’ve pondered over the depiction of Gotham City. To me, it seems both strikingly accurate as a reflection of our world and yet subtly exaggerated, carrying an elevated symbolic resonance. It feels uncannily familiar, but somehow amplified to serve a deeper allegory.
REEVES: Yeah, I wanted Gotham to be a city that is not New York or Chicago or Pittsburgh, but an American gothic city. I wanted it to feel like a city that you’d never quite been to before, so that it felt truly like its own place. But it was important to me that that place exists in our world, so that the audience coming to it would understand the wishful fulfillment and struggles of being in this gothic metropolis.
It’s deeply rooted in its decay and despair, and Gotham City seems perpetually stuck in this state. Fortunately for the comics, this keeps Batman engaged in his crusade. However, it’s also a reflection of reality – while our magnificent cities boast many wonderful aspects, some problems persist without resolution.
One key factor that attracted me to Batman was the stark contrast and chaos of Gotham City. For Batman, perched high in his tower, there’s a gritty, street-level character like Oz who thrives in the dirt and disorder. It’s challenging to avoid making Batman seem ridiculous under certain lighting or when he’s out in public places like a 7-Eleven. He carefully chooses when and where to reveal himself. However, unlike Batman, Oz is not confined by these limitations. While Batman operates mainly at night, Oz embodies the noir aesthetic during the daytime.
Unexpectedly, we may view Gotham from a completely new perspective. We’ve been discussing lighting and attempting to create a daytime noir aesthetic. We’re examining daylight scenes from films like ‘The French Connection’, for instance. Batman embodies a slow, brooding suspense; everything is deliberately framed, even during chase sequences, with the camera always staying still. In contrast, Oz seems to be more spontaneous.
He’s got this whole other energy. So we thought of doing handheld. From that point forward, we had a slightly different aesthetic that feels DNA connected. And we worked with Johnny Hahn, our VFX supervisor, to make New York and London feel like Gotham.
INTERVIEWER: What struck me was how skillfully it was executed; it seemed effortlessly integrated yet had a much more unsettling quality during the daytime. That’s what made it stand out for me, if I may add.
REEVES: I would say that it’s very unflinching. That’s one of the things too, about being on HBO. It’s interesting because in a Batman movie, there are resources that are tremendous, so we’re able to do quite grand things, but we are handcuffed in other ways. When we were dealing with the ratings board, they were like, “You got to pull that back and this back.”
With HBO, characters were unrestricted, allowing for a deep focus on character development. The series could even indulge in profanities, as seen delightfully in Oz’s dialogues. However, while working on the movie, there are limitations on the use of such language. Yet, Colin’s unique approach to profanity adds a distinct tone that we must carefully balance in the film adaptation.
INTERVIEWER: Wow, that’s amazing! When it comes to the gangster genre, what were some of your key inspirations or references?
REEVES: Absolutely, “Scarface”, a gripping American tale about the dark side of ambition. And when conversing with Mike Marino, I found myself envisioning Bob Hoskins and his intense demeanor reminiscent of “The Long Good Friday”.
INTERVIEWER: Without going into too much detail, there’s a scene with Colin where it’s bare.
REEVES: Yeah.
INTERVIEWER: It is offsetting.
REEVES: He’s completely naked, as that was one of the specific requests made by Colin.
INTERVIEWER: Really?
REEVES: It was not caught that way on film, but he was anatomically correct all the way through.
INTERVIEWER (REPHRASED): The sight of that character, entirely bare, leaves you spellbound. It’s absolutely extraordinary!
Once more, my hats off to Mike Marino. Just as Lauren scripted, when you observe his foot, it’s one of those moments that leaves an impact. When Mike crafted that foot, we were amazed, saying “Wow”. The subtle details conveyed so much. It was striking how he endured his pain daily in silence, and it was evident that he had deep emotional and physical scars.
One aspect I found captivating in Lauren’s narrative was the scene where the character loses self-control and ends up killing Alberto at the start of the show. It evoked a sense of classic Hitchcock suspense due to the difficulty of disposing of a body, a challenge that comes with taking someone’s life. The ensuing chaos felt distinctly Hitchcockian, as the character grappled with the aftermath, including his injured foot, symbolizing the struggle and pain involved in such an act.
INTERVIEWER: Regarding the cosmos, do you perceive a pattern? Are you planning to revisit “The Penguin” or will you offer a different perspective on Gotham City?
Sure thing!
So far, we’ve been discussing different shows. I just wanted to clarify that we avoid retelling the origin story since numerous other series have already done so. Instead, focusing on these characters through a unique perspective seems intriguing to me. Essentially, our approach will delve into city and societal dysfunction, which is a key element in Batman narratives.
In simpler terms, they are emphasizing that Gotham should be improved, offering an almost novel-like crime saga experience, yet keeping each story distinct. Each tale stands alone, carrying its own dramatic weight. The goal is to tell other stories similarly, ensuring Oz’s story remains uniquely his, while the others share a similar style.
INTERVIEWER: It’s not often that we witness the emergence of a truly iconic TV character, but I genuinely feel like this one has been developing into one. Colin’s acting is exceptional. It’s incredibly complex and subtle, and he demonstrates such bravery in his performances.
REEVES: Indeed, he’s fearless, and I believe his empathy plays a big role in that. You might find yourself thinking, “I dislike him immensely, but I understand the source of it, and that doesn’t make it acceptable.” There seems to be a hint of tragedy underlying all of this. He’s not a morally good person.
INTERVIEWER: The fact is you still feel for him, and that’s a testament to all of your work.
REEVES: Yeah, her writing is very, very special.
INTERVIEWER: And Matt, it’s impressive how you manage to fit everything together so seamlessly. You truly inspire us. You’re not just a fantastic filmmaker, but also a remarkable individual. It’s clear that in the hands of someone less skilled, this could have been quite ordinary.
REEVES: Oh, I’m so glad you didn’t think it was.
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2024-11-05 10:45