The Penguin The Penguin on HBO - General Discussion

[Sawyer]

So… no news, huh?

 

[jfloden]

Gosh darn' it!

 

[Sawyer]

I’ve been thinking about who I’d like to see directing this if Reeves doesn’t (and depending on how long he intends to rest up before the sequel, he may not), and I think I’d be okay with David Slade. Not a 1 for 1 match with Reeves, but I really think he could fit into this world…

 

[Kirk Langstrom]

I’ve been thinking about who I’d like to see directing this if Reeves doesn’t (and depending on how long he intends to rest up before the sequel, he may not), and I think I’d be okay with David Slade. Not a 1 for 1 match with Reeves, but I really think he could fit into this world…

I’ll be very surprised if Reeves directs this show.

 

[Sawyer]

I’ll be very surprised if Reeves directs this show.

At most, I’d expect him to do the first ep to set the tone, before he hands it off. But with how short streaming shows (and especially ones that are movie spin-offs) are lately, I could easily see it being just one director across all episodes.

 

[BatsAndNights]

At most, I’d expect him to do the first ep to set the tone, before he hands it off. But with how short streaming shows (and especially ones that are movie spin-offs) are lately, I could easily see it being just one director across all episodes.

Possibly but I doubt that'll be Reeves. He's gotta develop Batman 2, he's a producer on Caped Crusader and like 4 other movies + another TV show, the Arkham show's also likely gonna have his input and he's the executive producer on Penguin. If it was gonna be one director, it'd probably be the showrunner. But at the same time, if it ain't broke don't fix it. It ain't like Breaking Bad or BCS did that method and they're both regarded as in the top 5 (if not top 2) best TV shows ever made

 

[Sawyer]

Whatever, I just need news already.

 

[Lautox]

Farell is so good and entertaining in these character actor roles want more of him in the sequels

 

[Kirk Langstrom]

I thought they were supposed to start filming this show in June? Am I mistaken?

 

[Filmfreak]

Yes, but the production start date is not always set in stone. Green Lantern initially had one for last August and it still hasn't start filming.

 

[Kirk Langstrom]

Yes, but the production start date is not always set in stone. Green Lantern initially had one for last August and it still hasn't start filming.

Gotcha. Hopefully both start up soon!

 

[Gandhi]

 

[Iceman]

I’d be very happy with that if so.

 

[Sawyer]

Sionis exists in the overlap between crime lord and supervillain like Penguin does, so it’d be a good fit if it’s true.

But as always, I’ll believe nothing until we actually get casting.

 

[AndyTrevino]

If this is indeed true then Shauner and I feel like they'll take more inspiration from the OG Classic Black Mask with the more humanoid masks as opposed to the skull version in the DCEU. It also fits the horror vibes better and is more distinct than just ""guy in a scary skull mask". It's creepier.

If they want to further distance themselves from Ewan's version even more then they could have the mask melt onto his face.

 

[BigBatTheory]

Hey haven't been around these parts in a while but I have a theory you guys might enjoy

It's been leaked/rumored that Clayface and Black Mask will appear in the Penguin spin-off. I have a theory for how that might play out.

Clayface
In the casting call he is named Logan and is 40-59 yrs old. He is described as an "actor who was driven mad when he learned he couldn't participate in a play due to his deformed face". This, combined with the fact this is a mob centric show, makes me think in particular of Clayface from BTAS, who's essentially a combination of Matt Hagen and Basil Karlo, an actor who gets disfigured and can't work, but is given an experimental chemical by Roland Daggett that temporarily heals his scars. To continue getting the chemical, Daggett forces Clayface to work for him as a criminal. I think this is partially what we will see.

Black Mask
We know nothing of what Black Mask will be like in this show, but I'm guessing he could be the Robert mentioned in the casting info. Handsome and incredibly ambitious gangster, son of the wealthy and abusive socialites. Sounds enough like early Black Mask, and if true, we'd definitely see him off them in the show. But with the inclusion of Clayface, another interesting connection could be made. Roman Sionis, AKA Black Mask, is the inheritor of Janus Cosmetics. In the comics he has used the company's failed cosmetics as a method of disfiguring people. In his origin this was part of his M.O. but it has become less prevalent in subsequent comics. I think the cosmetics could be the connection to Clayface, with Sionis filling the role of Daggett, and an experimental scar face cream (made from dionesium, or synthetic dionesium, more on that later if people are interested) being the chemical that turns Clayface into a monster.

PLOT THEORY
Black Mask is Penguins' criminal rival vying for Gotham. Clayface works for Penguin as just another thug/muscle, someone who flies off the handle easily. At some point in the story, he is given an experimental clay mask treatment to heal his scars, but the stuff is addictive, and when he run out and begins to withdraw, his skin erupts in boils. It was Black Mask who orchestrated giving Clayface the experimental cream, knowing the side effects. He uses this to leverage Clayface into being his mole in Penguins crew to help him get the upper hand and steal his criminal power. Eventually, Clayface turns into a boil covered monster and goes after Black Mask, killing a bunch of his goons, and probably scarring his handsome face out of rage and jealousy, giving us a realistic explanation for Black Mask who must continually wear his mask. Here out of vanity and shame for his appearance, as opposed to how it is melted to his head in the comics. Clayface's rampage leads to his own death (he must have a tragic downfall as the payout for him making immoral choices the entire show) but it further paves way for Penguin to control crime in Gotham with less opposition.

The clay face mask would look something like this, and this could be how he first gets the nickname clay-face, as a jab from Oz.

Themes
The focus of the show is on Oz, a character who is disfigured, and has always been teased for it. His rise to power in the show must come from him embracing who he is, and how he is different. It's a story about accepting yourself as you are. Black Mask represents vanity, and covering/hiding your scars, it's literally his thing to cover up scars, with the cosmetics, or with his mask. Clayface is the tragic character caught in the middle, who ultimately makes horrible decisions and has his downfall because he refuses to accept himself as he is.

 

[Kirk Langstrom]

Fine by me. Also hoping for Tobias Whale, and maybe even Sal Maroni gets out of jail and makes a play for Crime Boss of Gotham.

How would you guys feel about The Ventriloquist showing up as well?

 

[antsman41]

I’m dying for Ventriloquist.

 

[cryptic name]

I’m dying for Ventriloquist.

Same

 

[GREEN =w= DAY]

Black Mask and Penguin fighting over Gotham’s criminal underworld with Clayface thrown in the mix?

Can’t f****ing wait!

 

[Lautox]

I’m dying for Ventriloquist.

I think @Eddie Dean once suggested Michael Cera as Ventriloquist and that would be insane. Cera has been working on that new Barbie film and he has been cast in more films lately so he could be having a comeback.

 

[cryptic name]

I need Richard Jenkins to be Ventriloquist.

 

[GREEN =w= DAY]

I need Richard Jenkins to be Ventriloquist.

Him or John Lithgow would be great

 

[Lautox]

Too old for these movies, they are both almost in their 80s. I rather see Jared Harris instead

 

[antsman41]

Lithgow is killin' it on The Old Man.