While Matt Reeves is helping to plan the story for the upcoming HBO Max spin-off series The Penguin, Discussing Film has reported that Craig Zobel is in talks to direct some of the upcoming episodes.
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Zobel has reportedly signed onto the series to direct the first two episodes. With Zobel signed on to direct just the first two episodes of the series, it’s unclear if he’ll be asked to do any further episodes or who HBO will turn to for the remainder of the show.
Zobel is best known for directing the hit HBO series The Mare of Easttown, which earned him Emmy nominations and critical acclaim for his work. He also directed the 2020 film The Hunt, as well as 2015’s Z for Zachariah.
Set in the world of the 2022’s The Batman, the HBO Max series will focus on Oswald Cobblepot’s past and show his rise to power in Gotham’s seedy underbelly rather than portray him as the established kingpin. The character has a rich history of live-action appearances, as Danny DeVito famously played Penguin in Batman Returns and Robin Lord Taylor portrayed him in Gotham.
The limited drama will be based on the DC characters created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger. It is being written by Lauren LeFrance, who is also set as the showrunner.
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The upcoming The Penguin series will be executive produced by The Batman‘s Dylan Clark and Matt Reeves, Farrell, LeFranc, Daniel Pipski, Adam Kassanand, and Rafi Crohn. It is a joint project between 6th and Idaho, DC Entertainment, Dylan Clark Productions, and Warner Bros. Television.
