The Penguinfinale did not pull any punches when it came down to turning Oz Cobb (Colin Farrell) into the iconic villain fans are familiar with (and love to hate). It also featured the titular character get his comic book accurate outfit and top hat, but one major aspect was missing. Throughout the HBO series, it’s been made known that Oz hates being called “The Penguin,” especially by those higher than him in the criminal underworld food chain. However,a deleted scene featured the character finally embracing the villainous moniker from the comics.
During an interview withCinemaBlend, Farrell dished about the “Penguin” moniker, which is a derogatory term for the character used by his bullies. He understands that when we first meet Oz at the start of the show, it’s made quite clear why Oz detests the on-the-nose nickname. That said, due to his downward spiral into the psychopathic, cold-blooded villain worthy of the titular name, a scene was filmed that featured Oz accepting his newfound identity as Penguin.Farrell revealed a deleted sequence that had Oz talking to a kid in the season finale who refers to him as “Penguin,“and instead of correcting the child, he embraces his role as “man of the people.”
“There was a scene in the eighth episode where a kid says, ‘you’re the Penguin, aren’t you,’ and then something about his mother. And then I say to him at the end of the scene, ‘you tell your mom the Penguin takes care of his own.'”
This falls in line with the events ofthe devastating finale ofThe Penguin. Against all odds, Oz is able to come out on top after Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti) nearly claimed victory, sending her back into Arkham Asylum and claiming the criminal underworld throne for himself. However,the new status quo involves him “going legit,” meaning he is now looking to make his presence known in the political arena of Gotham City. So, instead of rebuking the child for calling him the detestable moniker, he wears it proudly in the deleted scene. Although the final version of Episode 8 does not include this moment, it feels right within the conclusion of the narrative, albeit a bit too on the nose.
The Penguin Reaches His Final Form in the Finale
Although Oz Cobb ends up at the top inThe Penguinfinale,he does it in the most villainous way possible that only Batman could possibly avenge.Not only does his mother, brilliantly portrayed by Deirdre O’Connell, admit she tried to have her son killed before, Oz does not honor her wish to let her die before succumbing to her sickness and being left in a coma. He also violently kills Vic (Rhenzy Feliz) with his own hands, leaving Oz without emotional ties that would prevent him from prospering in Gotham.The power vaccum left by the Falcone family has created another monster in Penguin, one that lives up to his wretched name.
Sofia Falcone Spin-Off Gets Promising Tease From Matt Reeves After The Penguin Finale
“To see them connect to Sofia, of course, makes us think, ‘There’s more there.'”
Since the events ofThe Penguinlead directly into Matt Reeves’The Batman: Part II, fans should not expect a possible Season 2 anytime soon. HBO is currently in talks with the show’s producers to renew it, but it would have to arrive afterThe Batmansequel hits theaters in 2026. A Sofia Falcone spinoff is certainly possible,especially after the ending teased Selina Kyle aka Catwoman. However, Oz Cobb’s will have to continue on the big screen, which is apparently only “five or six scenes” inPart II.
The Penguin
Created by Lauren LeFranc, The Penguin is a crime-drama spin-off television series of 2022’s film The Batman. Set shortly after the events of The Batman, Oz Cobb, A.K.A. the Penguin, begins his rise in the underworld of Gotham City as he contends with the daughter of his late boss, Carmine Falcone, for control of the crime family’s empire.
