Directed by Craig Zobel, The Penguin is a gripping crime drama series that draws inspiration from the iconic supervillain, Penguin, found in the Batman comics. This series acts as a spin-off from Matt Reeves’ 2022 film, The Batman. Produced by DC Studios in collaboration with Warner Bros. Television, it made its exclusive debut on HBO on September 19, 2024.
Featuring an impressive ensemble cast that includes Colin Farrell, Carmen Ejogo, Cristin Milioti, Deirdre O’Connell, Rhenzy Feliz, Clancy Brown, Berto Colón, James Madio, and more, this eight-episode miniseries promises a captivating viewing experience.
Carmen Ejogo stars as Eve Karlo, an intriguing original character conceived specifically for the series. She is depicted as a sex worker who becomes romantically involved with Oswald Cobblepot, widely recognized as the Penguin.
Eve Karlo’s Role in The Penguin: A Nod to DC Comics Villains
In this miniseries, Ejogo portrays Eve Karlo, a character initially introduced as a minor figure who is both a sex worker and a love interest for Oz. Notably, her last name hints at a connection to a notable supervillain from DC Comics. There’s speculation within the fandom, particularly in a popular Reddit theory, suggesting Eve may have ties to Clayface, another character in the DC universe.
First appearing in Detective Comics #40 in June 1940, Clayface was originally depicted as Basil Karlo, a struggling actor turned malevolent figure after being rejected for a film reboot. Subsequently, he becomes Clayface, a vengeful killer targeting actors involved in the film and anyone who learns of his true identity. Over the years, Clayface evolved into a shapeshifting supervillain capable of assuming the identities of others. Moreover, the comics have introduced Lady Clayface, hinting that viewers may see further developments in Eve Karlo’s character in upcoming episodes.
Craig Zobel Discusses Eve Karlo’s Alleged Connection to Clayface
On September 18, 2024, Craig Zobel, the director of The Penguin, revealed his interest in exploring the backstory of the classic Clayface, whose jealousy led him down a dark path. In an interview with The Hollywood Handle, Zobel shared:
“I really don’t know what’s inside of people’s heads, but I was thinking about Clayface as a bad guy the entire time.” He elaborated on Farrell’s extensive makeup process, noting, “If you remember, the original Clayface was a makeup artist, and we were doing 3.5 hours of makeup every day.”
Carmen Ejogo, the British actress, has remained tight-lipped about Eve Karlo’s future developments. However, in a conversation with The Hollywood Handle, she hinted at Eve’s intelligence and resilience in navigating the perilous Gotham underworld.
Additionally, a Collider article dated September 12, 2024, confirms that The Batman Part II is in the works, following up on the events set in motion by The Penguin.
You can watch The Penguin on various streaming platforms, including Max, Hulu, Apple TV Plus, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube TV.
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