Matt Reeves will start shooting ‘The Batman: Part II’ in Spring next year.
Robert Pattinson will be back as Bruce Wayne/Batman.
The movie will be in theaters in October 2027.
Looks like co-writer/director Matt Reeves is finally ready to light the Bat-signal.
While it wasn’t announced with the most fanfare, Warner Bros. Discovery’s executives confirmed in a letter to shareholders that ‘The Batman: Part II’ will start shooting in Spring next year.
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Reeves had been busy writing the script for the sequel with Mattson Tomlin, and DC Studios co-chief James Gunn commenting that he’d been waiting to see drafts from the pair, but confirming that he was content to wait until the director was happy. With Reeves having delivered the first full draft, things are moving forward.
Little is known officially about what Robert Pattinson’s Caped Crusader will tackle, but we do know that Colin Farrell is likely to return as Oz Cobb, the villainous gangster nicknamed “The Penguin” while ‘The Batman’ actors Andy Serkis (Alfred) and Jeffrey Wright (James Gordon) are also predicted to be back.
We can probably expect to see Batman tackle another menace from his rogues’ gallery, with Barry Keoghan teased as a potential Joker at the end of the original movie, but nothing confirmed about him actually playing the role.
And there had been chatter about Clayface, but with the character set to get his own movie within the main DC Studios universe (as opposed to ‘The Batman’, which falls under the ‘Elseworlds’ banner of movies/TV that don’t fit there), we’d expect someone else to threaten our hero.
What else is happening with DC Studios?
James Gunn at CinemaCon 2025. Photo: Warner Bros.
One other interesting nugget from the shareholders letter is a comment from WB CEO David Zaslav about how Gunn will be both the writer and director on a new instalment for what said features the ‘Super Family’.
Which does echo Gunn’s previous comments that he’s working on a follow-up to this summer’s ‘Superman’, but one that won’t directly feature David Corenswet’s hero in the lead (though he will be part of the movie).
Andrew Garfield in ‘We Live in Time’. Photo: StudioCanal.
Nothing has been official released yet, but Guadagnino reportedly considered several scripts before landing on Simon Rich’s (‘An American Pickle’) about the wild true story surrounding OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
He co-founded OpenAI, but in the fall of 2023, after mounting safety concerns regarding AI, and reports of abusive behavior, was ousted as the head of the company by his board.
Five days later, after a revolt, he was reinstated in a story reminiscent of the return of Steve Jobs to Apple.
If all goes as planned, Garfield will play Altman, Barbaro will be chief technology officer Mira Murati, and Borisov has the role of Ilya Sutskever, a co-founder who led the movement to get rid of Altman.
We don’t yet know who Hoffman or Koch will be, but Barinholtz is in talks to be Elon Musk, who… well, does he really need an introduction these days after the last few months. At least it’s a good casting choice: Barinholtz is good at playing smug weirdos.
Along with Garfield, the new project marks a reunion for Guadagnino and Amazon, having made ‘After the Hunt’ and last year’s sizzling tennis drama ‘Challengers’ for the company.
What else is Luca Guadagnino working on?
Director Luca Guadagnino attends the Los Angeles Premiere of Amazon MGM Studios’ ‘Challengers’ at Regency Village Theatre on April 16, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Amazon MGM Studios.
As talked about above, the director had been busy developing ‘Sgt. Rock,’ which adapts the DC Comics character for the big screen. Daniel Craig reportedly considered the lead, but Guadagnino was locking in on Colin Farrell to star.
Yet weather conditions have reportedly stymied the production, and the aim is to have it rolling cameras next year –– though not with Guadagnino aboard.
Beyond that, he has a variety of other potential movies waiting in the wings, including a new adaptation of ‘American Psycho’ and romantic drama ‘Separate Rooms.’
When will ‘Artificial’ be in theaters?
Though ‘Artificial’ is clearly coming together fairly quickly, Amazon MGM Studios has yet to hand out a release date for the movie.
Guadagnino’s latest, the aforementioned ‘After The Hunt,’ which stars Garfield alongside Julia Roberts and Chloë Sevigny, is scheduled to arrive in theaters on October 17th, signaling a potential awards contender.
Luca Guadagnino is setting up new movie ‘Artificial,’ about the OpenAI executive shuffle.
Andrew Garfield, Monica Barbaro and Yura Borisov are in early talks to star.
Simon Rich wrote the script.
What do you do when your big, if unexpected plan to leap from the auteur indie world into the depths of the DC Studios cinematic universe doesn’t turn out quite the way you were thinking?
If you’re Luca Guadagnino, you pivot, go after a very different subject matter and look to work again with an actor who starred in your latest movie –– in this case, Andrew Garfield, who just starred for the director in the upcoming ‘After the Hunt.’
The trade site cautions that while Amazon MGM Studios is eagerly putting the pieces together, none of the deals are yet closed. Still, hopes are high for this one to be shooting in the summer in San Francisco and Italy and David Heyman –– the ‘Harry Potter’ producer who recently agreed to oversee the Bond franchise alongside Amy Pascal –– is also attached to this.
Director Luca Guadagnino attends the Los Angeles Premiere of Amazon MGM Studios’ ‘Challengers’ at Regency Village Theatre on April 16, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Amazon MGM Studios.
Again, we’d caution that this one is still not completely confirmed. But Guadagnino reportedly considered several scripts before landing on Simon Rich’s (‘An American Pickle’) about the wild true story surrounding OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
He co-founded OpenAI, but in the fall of 2023, after mounting safety concerns regarding AI, and reports of abusive behavior, was ousted as the head of the company by his board.
Five days later, after a revolt, he was reinstated in a story reminiscent of the return of Steve Jobs to Apple.
If all goes as planned, Garfield is eyeing the role of Altman, Barbaro will be chief technology officer Mira Murati, and Borisov could nab the role of Ilya Sutskever, a co-founder who led the movement to get rid of Altman.
Along with Garfield, the new project marks a reunion for Guadagnino and Amazon, having made ‘After the Hunt’ and last year’s sizzling tennis drama ‘Challengers’ for the company.
And the story of a controversial tech executive is not exactly unknown to Garfield, who famously appeared in ‘The Social Network.’
What else is Luca Guadagnino working on?
(L to R) Director Luca Guadagnino and producer Amy Pascal attend the Los Angeles Premiere of Amazon MGM Studios’ ‘Challengers’ at Regency Village Theatre on April 16, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Amazon MGM Studios.
As talked about above, the director had been busy developing ‘Sgt. Rock,’ which adapts the DC Comics character for the big screen. Daniel Craig reportedly considered the lead, but Guadagnino was locking in on Colin Farrell to star.
Yet weather conditions have reportedly stymied the production, and the aim is to have it rolling cameras next year.
Beyond that, he has a variety of other potential movies waiting in the wings, including a new adaptation of ‘American Psycho’ and romantic drama ‘Separate Rooms.’
Andrew Garfield in ‘We Live in Time’. Photo: StudioCanal.
Besides ‘After the Hunt,’ Garfield will next be seen in children’s movie ‘The Magic Faraway Tree,’ adapted from the Enid Blyton novel about a family discovering a magical tree with eccentric residents. That movie has yet to conjure up a release date.
He’s attached to various other projects, including ‘Voyagers,’ which would see him play astronomer, planetary scientist and TV host Carl Sagan in the story of the romance between Sagan and his wife, Ann Druyan.
Also on his list? ‘The Rage,’ a new Paul Greengrass movie set during the Peasants’ Revolt, a major uprising that took part across large parts of England in 1381 in response to socio-economic and political tensions and high taxation.
Finally, hopes remain that he’ll reunited with his ‘Silence’ director Martin Scorsese for the filmmaker’s passion project ‘The Life of Jesus.’
What other projects does Monica Barbaro have lined up?
Barbaro, who had a breakout role in ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ and scored an Oscar nomination playing Joan Baez in ‘A Complete Unknown,’ will be back on small screens next month in the second season of ‘FUBAR,’ the Netflix action comedy in which she stars alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Given that the deals are still being hammered out, Amazon MGM has yet to give this one a release date.
Guadagnino’s latest, the aforementioned ‘After The Hunt,’ which stars Garfield alongside Julia Roberts and Chloë Sevigny, is scheduled to arrive in theaters on October 17th, signaling a potential awards contender.
Andrew Garfield in ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’. Photo: Sony Pictures.
(Left) Director Joseph Kosinski at CinemaCon 2025. Photo: Warner Bros. (Right) Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas in the TV series ‘Miami Vice’. Photo: NBC/Universal.
Preview:
A new version of ‘Miami Vice’ is in development as a feature film, with Joseph Kosinski on board to direct.
Kosinski is the director of ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ and the upcoming Brad Pitt racing drama ‘F1.’
Originally a hit TV series in the 1980s, ‘Miami Vice’ was made into a feature film by the show’s producer, Michael Mann, in 2006.
Director Joseph Kosinski has been tapped to direct a new version of ‘Miami Vice’ for the big screen, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
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The Universal Pictures project will be scripted by Dan Gilroy, whose previous credits include ‘Nightcrawler,’ ‘Velvet Buzzsaw,’ and several episodes of ‘Andor.’ There is no word yet on casting or a release date.
Director/Producer Joseph Kosinski on the set of Apple Original Films’ ‘F1,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
It’s fair to say that Joseph Kosinski has become one of the hottest directors in Hollywood following the billion-dollar, Oscar-nominated triumph of his ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ in 2022. Kosinski’s next movie, ‘F1,’ is due out in late June and will star Brad Pitt in a Formula One racing drama that carries a reported price tag of $200 million.
Although Kosinski has signed up for ‘Miami Vice,’ his next film will be a similarly high-profile UFO thriller which is being produced by Apple Original Films (which also produced ‘F1’). His previous pictures include ‘Tron: Legacy,’ ‘Only the Brave,’ and ‘Oblivion,’ the latter of which marked his first collaboration with ‘Top Gun’ star Tom Cruise.
What is the background of ‘Miami Vice’?
(L to R) Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas in the TV series ‘Miami Vice’. Photo: NBC/Universal.
‘Miami Vice’ began life in the early 1980s as a TV show created by ‘Hill Street Blues’ writer Anthony Yerkovich, after NBC president Brandon Tartikoff requested a program that combined the style of MTV with a cop series. The result, produced by Michael Mann, starred Don Johnson as Sonny Crockett and Philip Michael Thomas as Rico Tubbs, two detectives working undercover in Miami. The show, which ran for five seasons from 1984 to 1990, became known for its groundbreaking visual style, its hip needle drops, and the fashions worn by its characters, arguably revolutionizing the look of TV crime drama for decades to come.
After Mann moved into directing feature films with ‘The Last of the Mohicans,’ ‘Heat,’ and others, he rebooted ‘Miami Vice’ as a 2006 movie starring Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx as Crockett and Tubbs. While not initially a hit with either critics or audiences, the film has since been reappraised and is now considered a cult classic.
Since it’s unlikely that Farrell and Foxx will reprise their roles 20 years later, a new Crockett and Tubbs will no doubt be the first items on Kosinski’s to-do list.
(L to R) Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas in the TV series ‘Miami Vice’. Photo: NBC/Universal.
Colin Farrell is circling the lead in ‘Sgt. Rock.’
Luca Guadagnino is attached to direct the movie for DC Studios.
Daniel Craig was previously considering the idea.
It looks like it’s all change in the ranks for ‘Sgt. Rock,’ though depending on who you believe, not such a big change.
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While word arrived back in November that Daniel Craig was looking to reunite with his ‘Queer’ director Luca Guadagnino for a very different project –– the adaptation of the militaristic DC Comics title –– there have been conflicting reports of how far Craig got in the process.
DC Studios co-chief James Gunn, for example, shot down the idea that the actor was actively in consideration, merely that he was floated as a potential lead.
Here’s what Gunn and co-president Peter Safran said recently:
“You know, we never met with Daniel. We never really even announced ‘Sgt. Rock.’ ”
Still, it would appear that the process of finding a main man for the ‘Rock’ role has been ongoing no matter what the DC bosses say, and Deadline reports that Colin Farrell is now circling the part.
Farrell, of course, is fresh off of winning a clutch of awards for another DC-related project, the TV spin-off of ‘The Batman’ called ‘The Penguin,’ focused on the criminal character.
According to Deadline’s sources, he’s looking to board ‘Sgt. Rock’ but will first have to figure out his busy schedule (more on that below).
Created by Robert Kanigher and Joe Kubert, the character first debuted in the 1959 DC issue ‘Our Army at War’ as a WWII soldier who served in the infantry. The character gained steam in 1977 when he received his own comic book series; it ran until July 1988.
Rock’s talent includes shooting down German fighter planes with a single submachine gun and tossing grenades with great accuracy. When he’s without a gun, he’s a great street fighter, and can survive gunshots. He’s a calm guy with heart, but also has a “combat antenna” able to detect an incoming enemy siege. There was also a toy series in the 1980s for Sgt. Rock around the time G.I. Joe was soaring in comic books and on TV.
Who else is working on ‘Sgt. Rock’?
Director Luca Guadagnino attends the Los Angeles Premiere of Amazon MGM Studios’ ‘Challengers’ at Regency Village Theatre on April 16, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Amazon MGM Studios.
Though Craig is not reuniting with Guadagnino for this new project, the director has recruited someone he’s worked with before: screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes. Which, given that he collaborated with the director on both tennis love triangle drama ‘Challengers’ and the Craig-starring William S. Boroughs ‘Queer’ suggests this is coming together quickly.
And the prolific director has been busy –– he already has Amazon MGM Studios’ Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield thriller ‘After the Hunt’ making its way through post-production release later this year on October 10th.
What else is Colin Farrell working on?
Colin Farrell as Oswald “Oz” Cobb in Max’s ‘The Penguin.’ Photo: Macall Polay/HBO.
Farrell, is, of course, an actor in demand, and he has a few projects lined up in the coming months.
He’ll be filming the second season of twisty Apple TV+ drama ‘Sugar’ this year.
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Plus, assuming he’s ready to put himself back into the prosthetics for the character –– something he’s said he definitely needs time away from –– Farrell may well be preparing for a new season of ‘The Penguin.’ There’s also the chance he’ll be back in for ‘The Batman’ sequel.
The story for that one follows a high-stakes gambler who decides to lay low in Macau after his past and debts catch up with him. Along the way he encounters a kindred spirit who might just hold the key to his salvation.
Production Asia occurred last summer, with Rowan Joffe adapting the script based on the novel by Lawrence Osborne.
Beyond that, the picture is murkier despite a big confident announcement from Gunn and Safran. A movie based on Batman villain Clayface is in development and recently landed ‘Speak No Evil’ director James Watkins to call the shots.
Batman himself is likely to return in ‘The Brave and the Bold,’ but that has experienced some scripting and director delay issues.
On the small screen, things are healthier, with the likes of the animated ‘Creature Commandos’ already out and a new season of ‘Peacemaker’ on the way. We also know that ‘Green Lantern’-based series ‘Lanterns’ is now filming.
When will ‘Sgt. Rock’ be on screens?
With no official commitment to the movie yet, there is zero information about a release date for the movie at this time.
Colin Farrell as Oswald “Oz” Cobb in Max’s ‘The Penguin.’ Photo: Macall Polay/HBO.
Launching on HBO and Max with its first episode on September 19th, ‘The Penguin’ marks the first (and so far only) series to continue the story of Matt Reeves’ 2022 superhero movie ‘The Batman.’
Switching the focus from the suited vigilante played by Robert Pattinson (who the producers have been at length to point out won’t appear in case you were waiting for the hero to flap in and deliver some “kapow” punches to our wannabe kingpin), the story here is told at street level, with the machinations double-crosses of the criminal world at the forefront.
Does ‘The Penguin’ succeed in its plans?
Colin Farrell as Oswald “Oz” Cobb in Max’s ‘The Penguin.’ Photo: Courtesy of Max.
With executive producer and showrunner Lauren LeFranc citing ‘The Sopranos’ as a big inspiration for the new show, it’s not hard to see where ‘The Penguin’ takes its endless double-crosses and criminal political maneuvering from.
Trouble is, a lot of what happens here –– minus the ‘Batman’-flavored trappings including Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti’s characters in particular, doesn’t exactly feel fresh. We’ve seen small-time gangsters looking to make it big in movies and TV for years, and you’ve really got to offer something more special than just Farrell given the chance to speechify about gangsters from whom he takes his own inspiration or wax nostalgic about how his neighborhood and Gotham in general were better back in the day.
Fortunately, a scattering of truly solid performances do help boost the interest levels higher than it might be, and the show does tend to maintain the style of Reeves’ movie.
Script and Direction
(L to R) Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti in Max’s ‘The Penguin.’ Photo: Courtesy of Max.
As we mentioned above, a lot about the show feels quite familiar if you’ve watched any movie or show set within a gangster world. There is jockeying for power, criminal schemes involving drugs and one or two explosions of action, such as an impressive set piece in the second episode where Oz is chased by Sofia Falcone’s forces.
It’s just that little of it is truly all that revolutionary, and you’ll be able to see a lot of the plot turns coming. And there are some remarkable coincidences that help our main character along the way.
Main director Craig Zobel, who handles the first three episodes, does make a good stab at convincing us that this is set in the same Gotham of ‘The Batman.’ The only downside is that scenes set in the suburbs, or at the sprawling Falcone compound outside of it look starkly realistic compared to the visual effects-heavy grubbiness of the main cityscape.
The show’s saving graces are mostly in its acting, with Farrell and Milioti in particular standing out –– not shocking since they are the narrative’s twin focus.
Colin Farrell as Oz Cobb
Colin Farrell as Oswald “Oz” Cobb in Max’s ‘The Penguin.’ Photo: Courtesy of Max.
Reprising his role from the movie, Farrell once more dons the prosthetics and fat suit so as to become almost unrecognizable as the scheming wannabe kingpin. Here in series form, given the scope and breadth to really explore the character, he goes to town, chewing through the scripts and bringing him to vibrant, waddling life.
He’s helped by some enlightening –– if predictable –– backstory elements, including deceased family members and a doting mother (played by Tony Winner Deirdre O’Connell) sliding into dementia.
Cristin Milioti as Sofia Falcone
Cristin Milioti in Max’s ‘The Penguin.’ Photo: Courtesy of Max.
Milioti is given a truly different role here, and she embraces it fully –– all wide-eyed psychopathy and chilling ability to order the deaths of her enemies. It helps that she also has a troubled backstory and, in the first few episodes is dealing with not only the death of her father but another personal tragedy.
She makes for a superb foil to Farrell and the two share excellent chemistry, weaving around one another as they jostle for power.
Rhenzy Feliz in Max’s ‘The Penguin.’ Photo: Courtesy of Max.
Introduced as a street kid interrupted trying to steal the rims from Oz’s car, Feliz’ Victor is the third pillar in the triumvirate of lead roles. He quickly becomes a driver and potential protégé for Oz, who recognizes the same scrappy ambition he possesses in the young man.
And in his interplay with Farrell, Feliz is able to interject some of the rare flashes of humor into the show.
Clancy Brown in Max’s ‘The Penguin.’ Photo: Courtesy of Max.
The main rival to the Falcone family, Maroni is currently languishing in jail for his crimes after being set up.
Brown is typically good in the role, bringing quiet menace mixed with charisma, though the role is naturally smaller and more limited given his location (for now).
He’s ably supported by Shohreh Aghdashloo as wife Nadia, even if fans of ‘The Expanse’ might bemoan the fact that she has (yet) been given the chance to unleash foul-mouthed rants given the less restrictive environs of an HBO show.
Other Notable Characters
While he isn’t introduced until late into episode 2, Theo Rossi’s Dr. Julian Rush shows promise as a fun character to watch. Michael Zegen, meanwhile, has a small yet pivotal role as Alberto Falcone, the crime boss’s drug addict –– and drug pushing –– son.
Final Thoughts
Colin Farrell as Oswald “Oz” Cobb in Max’s ‘The Penguin.’ Photo: Courtesy of Max.
‘The Penguin’ won’t win many awards for originality in its crime story, but it is at least watchable and certainly isn’t a waste of its main cast. It just doesn’t always live up to the movie.
Eagle-eyed fans of the ‘Batman’ franchise as a whole, meanwhile, will appreciate subtle nods to actors who played the Penguin on TV and in movies –– make note of two particular Gotham storefronts.
‘The Penguin’ receives 6.5 out of 10 stars.
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What’s the story of ‘The Penguin’?
The new series is set a week after the events of ‘The Batman’ left crime boss Carmine Falcone dead and his empire in disarray.
As seen in the movie, Oz Cobb (Colin Farrell), also known as The Penguin, formerly a lieutenant to Falcone, tries to fill the power vacuum left by his death. He faces off against rival factions as he asserts his authority.
But he’ll face a big challenge from those who Falcone left in charge of his operation, and particularly from Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti), recently released from Arkham Asylum.
‘The Penguin’ had new footage to show at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con event.
Star Colin Farrell and executive producer/‘The Batman’ director Matt Reeves were among those attending (Farrell via video).
The show is a spin-off of 2022’s ‘The Batman’.
‘The Penguin’ might not have had the most promising start at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, making headlines after an immersive “activation” event based on a nightclub from the HBO series for press and the cast was evacuated on Friday night when a fire broke out. No one was hurt, but the big question, of course –– did anyone check to see whether a cowled individual was involved, and were they carrying a Bat Fire Kit?
Regardless, some of the creative team, including ‘The Batman’ director Matt Reeves (who is a producer on the show), actors Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz, showrunner Lauren LeFranc and producer and Dylan Clark –– plus star Colin Farrell, live via video link from Macau, showed up on Saturday afternoon at its panel in Hall H to talk up the show, which continues the story of Farrell’s criminal schemer Oz Cobb from ‘The Batman.’
Colin Farrell as Oswald “Oz” Cobb in Max’s ‘The Penguin.’ Photo: Courtesy of Max.
The series, which has been described as in the style of classic crime drama ‘Scarface’, will pick up the story of Farrell’s character as he rises to power in Gotham City. Mild spoiler alert in case you’ve yet to see ‘The Batman’, but part of the movie’s plot involves Oz’s bosses either dying or heading to jail, leaving him a path to achieve his aims.
Yet given that there’s a whole series to fill with this story, we doubt the road will be an easy one. And there’s still that pesky Caped Crusader lurking around (even if Batman likely wouldn’t appear much if at all in the show).
Farrell’s character will face off against other notorious Gotham crime bosses, including Salvatore Moroni, played by Clancy Brown.
Clancy Brown in Max’s ‘The Penguin.’ Photo: Courtesy of Max.
One of Carmine Falcone’s chief rivals, he’ll be back on the streets for the series and ready to make his move now that he’s no longer at the mercy of Falcone (who, again spoiler alert, died in ‘The Batman’).
Cristin Milioti in Max’s ‘The Penguin.’ Photo: Courtesy of Max.
According to Reeves, Farrell’s Cobb was going to be a focus of the movie sequel to ‘The Batman’ (which the filmmaker is busy writing), but HBO bosses asked for a marquee character for the first spin-off show, and so the decision was made to use the series to bridge between the two movies and explore more about his rise to power.
Farrell reveals he was hesitant to take on the role for the first movie but was convinced by Reeves and especially delighted by the look of the character, keying in how to play the role and his background from the first sculpt he was shown.
For her part, showrunner LeFranc said her take on the character’s story was inspired by a corrupt mayor in Rhode Island, who was nevertheless hailed as a pillar of the community for the help he provided to people. She said there are no heroes in this series –– everyone is operating in shades of gray.
(L to R) Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti in Max’s ‘The Penguin.’ Photo: Courtesy of Max.
And LeFranc also talked up the idea that Sofia Falcone in the show is very different from how she’s been portrayed previously in the comics, praising what Milioti brought to the role.
Feliz plays Victor Aguilar, a new character created for the show, and one designed to give us a fresh way into Oz’s story through his connection with the wannabe crime boss.
Colin Farrell as Oswald “Oz” Cobb in Max’s ‘The Penguin.’ Photo: Courtesy of Max.
According to the team, Oz and Sophia Falcone mirror each other, but are on two sides of the series and Gotham’s fate is in the balance.
And if you were wondering whether Oz’s story is wrapped up in the limited series, Reeves confirmed that he will in fact be back on the big screen for ‘The Batman – Part II’, which kicks off filming next year ahead of its planned 2026 release.
The news for on-screen Batman –– and particularly The Penguin –– wasn’t limited to the ‘Penguin’ panel, as the presentation for animated series ‘Batman: Caped Crusader’ (also produced by Reeves, alongside Batman animation legend Bruce Timm) revealed that Minnie Driver is playing Oswalda Cobblepot, a female take on the character, who will sing in the show.
Colin Farrell in ‘Sugar,’ premiering April 5, 2024 on Apple TV+.
Arriving on Apple TV+ with its first two episodes on Friday April 5th, ‘Sugar’ throws Colin Farrell into the search for a missing young woman, who hails from a wealthy, influential Hollywood dynasty.
The new series, which comes from Mark Protosevich, the writer of movies including ‘The Cell’ and ‘I Am Legend’, looks to juggle two mysteries at once, the driving storyline and the allied background for our main man, snappily dressed investigator John Sugar.
Colin Farrell in ‘Sugar,’ premiering April 5, 2024 on Apple TV+.
‘Sugar’, at least on paper, has everything going for it. You have Mark Protosevich, who has worked in movies for years and is steeped in motion picture history. Sam Catlin, whose TV resume includes the likes of ‘Preacher’ (an extremely underrated graphic novel adaptation) and a key role bringing ‘Breaking Bad’, one of the most respected small screen series in history, to life. Add in direction from the likes of ‘City of God’s Fernando Meirelles and a cast made up of award-winning actors anchored by Oscar nominee Colin Farrell and there is plenty of reason to hope.
Most, though, should prepare to have those hopes dashed. Because while ‘Sugar’ certainly has a premium TV pedigree and the backing of Apple, very little about it screams quality. Mostly, it’s a drawn-out slog relying on that most overused trope of the kidnapped young woman, whose disappearance leads to revelations about all manner of sexual malfeasance and criminal underbellies in Hollywood, which, while it is always necessary to uncover, here feels cheap and undernourished, not to mention shallow in its exploration.
Allied to that, the twin mystery of why Sugar acts the way he does, the mysterious circle of friends he’s in contact with and how it impacts those around him, is dragged out and, when revealed, is far less satisfying than its creators clearly hoped it would be.
‘Sugar’: Script and Direction
(L to R) Colin Farrell and James Cromwell in ‘Sugar,’ premiering April 5, 2024 on Apple TV+.
Though creator Protosevich has a lot of experience in the movie game, it doesn’t seem to translate to TV, even with the likes of Catlin serving as showrunner. ‘Sugar’ follows some very well-trodden paths through its early episodes, and also finds itself spinning its wheels as our hero digs into the reasons for young Olivia Siegel’s disappearance. Along the way, his obsession with classic movies comes into play, though the stylistic choices of splicing in moments and scenes from old movies to hammer points home quickly becomes both confusing and tiring.
And if you’re coming to this series expecting some bold new take on the TV ‘tec voice-over gambit’, look elsewhere, as most of what Sugar has to say around the world he lives in will feel stale and warmed-over if you’ve watched (or read) any amount of detective fiction.
On the directing side of things, it’s not that much better. Despite a clearly solid budget and some creative use of Los Angeles locations, there’s little to truly make this stand out. Even with a directed as stylistically and emotionally engaged as Meirelles (who handles five of the eight episodes) on board, the result suffers from a severe blandness.
‘Sugar’: Performances
(L to R) Colin Farrell and Amy Ryan in ‘Sugar,’ premiering April 5, 2024 on Apple TV+.
It’s on the acting front where ‘Sugar’ really approaches anything worth recommending, though a talented cast struggles with the lackluster script and entirely predictable plot turns.
Farrell is naturally charismatic, scruffy in attitude if not in dress sense, but burdened with a character whose creators seem to believe that being a classic movie buff is substitute for a real personality. There are elements of the man that work –– he’s got a strict code and struggles with his knack for dishing out violence when it’s called for, but he still doesn’t really stand out from the 7,000 other detective characters already in existence. He’s good with dogs! He drives a beautiful classic car! It all starts to feel like options picked from a rack and slipped onto him like clothes from Target (a place he would most assuredly not shop!)
And while there is something else powering his personality, it’s such a letdown once you learn the truth of the matter (trust me, many will guess it long before the revelation) that it detracts, rather than adding to the story.
Amy Ryan, a consummate professional, brings welcome warmth and life to the character of Melanie, ex-wife of film producer Bernie Siegel (Dennis Boutsikaris) and worried mother of the missing Olivia. There’s also stalwart work from James Cromwell as Siegel family patriarch Jonathan, a powerhouse film producer, but even he has little to chew on.
Elsewhere, the likes of Nate Corddry, Anna Gunn and even Kirby as Sugar’s mysterious handler/pal are let down by roles that are beneath their abilities.
‘Sugar’: Final Thoughts
Colin Farrell in ‘Sugar,’ premiering April 5, 2024 on Apple TV+.
Perhaps the biggest mystery surrounding ‘Sugar’ is how a series with proven creators (particularly Catlin) and a veteran cast, funded by the deep pockets of Apple, can have gone quite so wrong. But this confused and often slow piece of bland gumshoe fiction offers little that is fresh in the genre –– and what it does employ to make it stand out, simply doesn’t work.
There is the lingering hope that a second season (set up by the end of the first) might proceed without the drag of the dull secondary mystery now that its elements have been revealed, but this may not warrant that, as its rarely compelling enough to draw and maintain a solid audience. All you’re really left with is a somewhat sour taste.
‘Sugar’ receives 5 out of 10 stars.
(L to R) Kirby and Colin Farrell in ‘Sugar,’ premiering April 5, 2024 on Apple TV+.
What’s the story of ‘Sugar’?
Colin Farrell stars as John Sugar, an American private investigator on the heels of the mysterious disappearance of Olivia Siegel (Sydney Chandler), the beloved granddaughter of legendary Hollywood producer Jonathan Siegel (James Cromwell).
As Sugar tries to determine what happened to Olivia, he will also unearth Siegel family secrets; some very recent, others long-buried. And what is Sugar himself hiding?
Who is in ‘Sugar’?
‘Sugar’ also stars Kirby, Amy Ryan, James Cromwell, Anna Gunn, Dennis Boutsikaris, Nate Corddry, Sydney Chandler and Alex Hernandez.
Colin Farrell in ‘Sugar,’ premiering April 5, 2024 on Apple TV+.
The full teaser trailer for ‘The Penguin’ has landed.
Colin Farrell reprises his role in the TV spin-off of ‘The Batman’.
This show is due on Warner Bros.’ Max service later in 2024.
Though it was originally aiming to debut in the middle of this year, the strikes of 2023 have somewhat put the brakes on ‘The Penguin’s plans.
Yet the series, which spins off from Matt Reeves’ well-received 2022 outing ‘The Batman’ and sees Colin Farrell once more slapping on prosthetics to play ambitious criminal type Oswald “Oz” Cobblepot, is now back on track for later in 2024 and has a first teaser trailer online.
In it, we see Oz waxing poetic about an old gangster he knew of growing up who was garlanded when he died, clearly intending to be remembered the same way –– all intercut with flashes of Oz doing dark deeds.
The series, which has been described as in the style of classic crime drama ‘Scarface’ will pick up the story of Farrell’s character as he rises to power in Gotham City. Mild spoiler alert in case you’ve yet to see ‘The Batman’, but part of the movie’s plot involves Oz’s bosses either dying or heading to jail, leaving him a path to achieve his aims.
Yet given that there’s a whole series to fill with this story, we doubt the road will be an easy one. And there’s still that pesky Caped Crusader lurking around (even if Batman likely wouldn’t appear much if at all in the show).
Farrell’s character will face off against other notorious Gotham crime bosses, including Salvatore Moroni, played by Clancy Brown.
One of Carmine Falcone’s chief rivals, he’ll be back on the streets for the series and ready to make his move now that he’s no longer at the mercy of Falcone (who, again spoiler alert, died in ‘The Batman’).
Matt Reeves, who co-wrote and directed ‘The Batman’ is an executive producer here, but while he’s certainly had input (alongside the movie’s fellow producer, Dylan Clark), he won’t be overseeing the day-to-day work of the show, what with being busy writing the big screen sequel.
That job instead falls to Lauren LeFranc, a veteran of shows including ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’, ‘Chuck’ and ‘Hemlock Grove’. Craig Zobel, director of movies such as ‘The Hunt’ who has also worked in TV on the likes of ‘Mare of Easttown’ and ‘Westworld’, shot the first three episodes of a planned eight.
Here’s what LeFranc said when the show was announced:
“I have long been a fan of the world of ‘The Batman’, and Matt’s film is such a powerful and bold entry into the canon. I am excited and humbled to continue telling stories in the grimy world of Gotham City –– and what better excuse to channel my inner villain than to tell the story of Oswald Cobblepot? I am thrilled to work with Colin, Matt, Dylan, 6th & Idaho, Warners, and Max as we work to bring this story to the screen.”
When will ‘The Penguin’ be on our screens?
As of right now, the show doesn’t have a formal date, but it’s expected later this year.
Colin Farrell as Oswald “Oz” Cobblepot in Max’s ‘The Penguin.’
The sequel to ‘The Batman’ will now be released in 2026.
Matt Reeves is once again directing.
Beyond Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne, the cast has yet to be confirmed.
Those who have been eagerly awaiting director Matt Reeves’ sequel to his darkly gritty take on the Caped Crusader, ‘The Batman’, will have to be more patient.
Warner Bros. has announced that the new movie will not now be released on October 3rd, 2025, but instead heads back a year to October 2nd, 2026.
Part of the reason for the delay is that the ‘Batman’ sequel has reportedly just begun filming, and that Reeves has been at work on the script with Peter Craig and Mattson Tomlin. The shift from a potential shoot last year means that the production has had to wait for soundstages to be available.
Robert Pattinson is returning as Bruce Wayne, AKA Batman, though there has been little confirmation of any other casting –– Jeffrey Wright has said he’ll be back as Commissioner Jim Gordon, while we’d predict Andy Serkis once more playing loyal Wayne family butler Alfred.
The plot, however, is a mystery, and the villain for the new movie has yet to be revealed.
Also, while the film is considered an “Elseworlds” title and not directly connected to the new DC movie universe, the delay means that James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ will get a clear shot at launching the fresh DCU on the big screen with its July 11th, 2025, release date.
This delay for ‘The Batman Part II’ hasn’t yet impacted TV spin-off ‘The Penguin’, which sees Colin Farrell playing crime boss Oswald Cobblepot. That show is still due to arrive later this year on streaming service Max.
With the new ‘Batman’ movie on the move, there is a hole in Warner Bros.’ schedule. The studio has now given that October 3rd, 2025, slot to ‘The Bride!’ (yes, it apparently does have an exclamation mark at the end of its total), the take on ‘Frankenstein’ to be directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal and starring Christian Bale, Jessie Buckley and Peter Sarsgaard.
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