“It just didn’t feel appropriate”: Colin Farrell’s ‘The Penguin’ is Fighting the Oldest Trope in Fantasy That Deserves its Own Reward 

SUMMARY

• Colin Farrell’s character, Oz, challenges the trope of villainy linked to disability, offering a fresh perspective on Gotham’s underworld.
• Showrunner Lauren LeFranc emphasizes psychological depth, ensuring Oz's journey is relatable and avoids tired comic book clichés.
• With sharp writing and direction, The Penguin promises a gritty, engaging series that showcases Farrell’s multi-layered performance.

Colin Farrell’s The Penguin isn’t just waddling into the usual comic book clichés—it’s fighting one of the oldest tropes in fantasy, and honestly, it deserves its own reward for that alone. You know the drill: villains either cackle their way through chaos or give us endless monologues about world domination. But not this time. Farrell’s take on the Gotham gangster aims to dodge the overdone, bringing layers that go beyond your standard-issue fantasy villain. 

Colin Farrell in The Penguin (2024) | Credits: Warner Brothers Discovery

He’s dark, sure, but not in the predictable, cartoonish way we’ve seen a thousand times before. It’s a fresh spin that doesn’t just demand attention—it pretty much grabs it by the collar. Forget the trope, The Penguin’s about to redefine what it means to be bad.

Colin Farrell’s ‘Oz’ in HBO’s The Penguin: Ditching the Nickname and Redefining the Villain

Colin Farrell in The Penguin (2024) | Credits: Warner Brothers Discovery

In HBO’s The Penguin, Colin Farrell’s character goes by ‘Oz’ or ‘Oswald,’ and forget about anyone calling him ‘the Penguin.’ Showrunner Lauren LeFranc kept that nickname on the down-low because, let’s be real, Oz doesn’t dig it. The Penguin is actively challenging one of the oldest and most problematic tropes in fantasy: the idea that a villain’s dark side is tied to their disability. She says, opting for a more grounded approach that ditches the old comic book vibes:

I knew that Oz didn’t appreciate the term, and that was something that felt derogatory toward him. Gangsters in mobs often they have these nicknames for people. So it made a lot of sense that his nickname from others would be the Penguin. But it’s not a term that he embraces.

Instead of the classic top hat and cane, we get a crime drama that’s all about character depth and relatable stories. LeFranc’s on a mission to pull in viewers who might not usually vibe with superhero flicks. She believes that the show’s not just an ordinary comic book show. It’s all about the characters and their journeys.

And when it comes to Oz’s club foot, LeFranc treats it with some real empathy. She wanted to understand him psychologically, steering clear of the tired tropes that often define villains. It’s about who Oz is inside, not just a physical trait. She asserted: 

It was important when we filmed it and when we chose music for it, that we don’t have saccharin music. It’s not something that’s supposed to say, ‘oh, look at Oz, poor him.’ He doesn’t view it as that, and that’s not why Oz is the way he is. That’s not something that Oz discusses with other people, so it just didn’t feel appropriate. 

Also, I am conscious of the terrible tropes in the comics in terms of disability and what defines a villain. A lot of it would be facial scarring or something that makes them feel other. I wanted to understand him psychologically and have his villainy come from who he is at his core emotionally and not have it because of any kind of physical ailment or disability.

Farrell’s Penguin proves that being bad has nothing to do with physical limitations, flipping the script in a way that deserves serious recognition. Forget the trope—The Penguin’s about to redefine what it means to be a villain. Farrell’s loving this direction too. He gets why the nickname is mostly left out, but he’s cool with the idea of Oz embracing it. The Penguin’s shaping up to be a whole new take on a classic villain, flipping the script and redefining what it means to be the Penguin.

Colin Farrell’s The Penguin Redefines Gotham’s Gritty Antihero

Cristin Milioti and Colin Farrell in The Penguin (2024) | Credits: Warner Brothers Discovery

Colin Farrell’s back, and he’s killing it in HBO’s The Penguin! Fresh off his role in Sugar, he steps into the shoes of Oswald Cobblepot, aka the Penguin. But this isn’t just another villain gig; Farrell’s giving us a raw, gritty take on Gotham’s underbelly.

In The Penguin, he’s expertly playing both sides of the mob scene, showcasing his knack for strategy and cold-blooded smarts. As one review puts it, “You never get tired seeing him know exactly how to work the person he needs to impress.” So true!

With killer writing from Lauren LeFranc and slick direction by Craig Zobel, this series keeps you glued to the screen. Farrell’s layered performance, paired with a fantastic cast, makes The Penguin a must-watch. Buckle up; this ride’s about to get wild!

Watch Colin Farrell’s The Penguin on Max.

Written by Heena Singh

Articles Published: 317

Heena Singh is a writer at FandomWire, spent the last two years making waves in entertainment journalism. With a knack for digging up blockbuster celebrity scoops and an uncanny nose for the latest buzz, Heena’s articles bring a fresh and fun perspective to life. When she’s not conquering writing challenges, you’ll find her curled up in bed, peacefully sleeping.