EntertainmentTVSuperhero ShowsThe PenguinThe Penguin producer says that you don’t need to watch The Batman to enjoy the spin-off, but it does “enrich” itWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
EntertainmentTVSuperhero ShowsThe PenguinThe Penguin producer says that you don’t need to watch The Batman to enjoy the spin-off, but it does “enrich” itWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: HBO)

Despite being the first major spin-off to emerge in Matt Reeves' The Batman universe, The Penguin producer has suggested that you don’t need to have seen the original.
“Matt’s words – and I love this phraseology – is that the movie vibrates against the show and the show vibrates against the movie,” Dylan Clark tellsSFX magazinein the new issue, which features Agatha All Along on the cover and hits newsstands on September 4. “They inform each other. You don’t need to watch the movie in order to enjoy the show. I just think it enriches it. They are connected.”
Reeves adds to SFX that he views the show as a “Scarface gangster story”. He explains of pitching it: “What I told Colin at the time is that after what happens to Falcone there’s going to be this power vacuum, and the thing about your version of the Penguin is everyone thinks he’s a joke to a degree. They underestimate him. Meanwhile he has this coiled ambition inside him. He is going to grab for power, and I see that as being one of the core aspects of the next movie.
“So I said to the network I was going to do an almost Scarface gangster story about a rise to power, that was really going to be an examination of what was inside Oz, what was driving him, what lack inside of him drove this voracious need for power. Literally on the call they were like, ‘Oh, that’s the show! We want to do that show!'”
Not a subscriber to SFX? Thenhead on over here to get the latest issues sent directly to your home/device!
The Penguin begins on HBO on September 19 and Sky Atlantic and NOW on September 20. Read more inthe latest issue of SFX magazine, which features Agatha All Along on the cover and will be available from Wednesday, September 4.
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Who’s been assembling a coven to walk the Witches’ Road? It was #AgathaAllAlong, of course… Get the exclusive inside scoop on Marvel Television’s spooky series in the new issue of SFX, on sale 4 September… if you dare! pic.twitter.com/mclked8GCqAugust 29, 2024
Who’s been assembling a coven to walk the Witches' Road? It was #AgathaAllAlong, of course… Get the exclusive inside scoop on Marvel Television’s spooky series in the new issue of SFX, on sale 4 September… if you dare! pic.twitter.com/mclked8GCqAugust 29, 2024
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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
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2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
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Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”