The Penguinhas become one of the most highly anticipated series in the DC universe, withColin Farrellreprising his role as Oswald “Oz” Cobb fromThe Batman. WhileThe Penguindives deeper into Oz’s journey, Farrell creditsThe BatmandirectorMatt Reevesfor the show’s success, explaining that Reeves’ vision has been instrumental inshaping both the character and the series. Speaking at length with Collider’sSteve Weintraubto mark the end of the first season of the series, Farrell shared that Reeves’ meticulous, hands-on approach was a constant influence throughout the series' development.
“He leaves no creative stone unturned. Every director, by virtue of the responsibilities and the consequences of what they do for a living, should be detail-oriented, of course, but there are those who are even more so than usual, and Matt is one of those. He just goes through such great pains.”
Reeves has really made his name for his careful but immersive storytelling inThe Batman,but also his world building inDawn of the Planet of the ApesandWar for the Planet of the Apesand for the director, according to Farrell, it was imperative thatThe Penguinwould align properly with the worldthat he first established on the big screen, which was reassuring to the actor.
“That’s why it’s taking him whatever length of time it’s taking him to finish the second script—which I haven’t read—because he really leaves no stone unturned. He is meticulous in how he builds worlds. He was the same with all the Ape films. He’s extraordinary,” Farrell said.
Matt Reeves Was Involved in Every Aspect of ‘The Penguin’
Although Reeves didn’t direct any episodes ofThe Penguin, he was deeply involved in the show’s direction. Farrell recalled Reeves’ influence on everything fromthe inception of the story line to the execution of scenes:
“Knowing that he was in our corner and that he was a very active participant in the whole process, from the inception of the storyline to the execution of the story on film, in camera, was probably the greatest source of confidence that I had going into the show, even before the first episode. Just the knowledge that Matt Reeves was going to be overseeing all this, and while he wasn’t going to be directing any of the episodes, he was going to have a real aggressive hand in the pie, you know?”
The Penguin’s final episode will air on Sunday at 9PM on HBO. The series can be streamed on Max. Stay tuned to Collider for more from our exclusive interview with Colin Farrell.
The Penguin
It follows the transformation of Oswald Cobblepot from a disfigured nobody to a noted Gotham gangster.
Watch on Max
