James Gunn Says He Had Minimal Influence on HBO’s ‘The Penguin’

The Penguin is a resounding success. The series has garnered praise from both fans and critics alike, and it’s hard not to agree. Colin Farrell delivers an outstanding performance as Oz Cobb in this spin-off from Matt Reeves’ acclaimed film The Batman.

The show offers a gritty, realistic portrayal of crime in Gotham, exploring the aftermath of the Riddler’s attack and Penguin’s rise within the city’s criminal underworld.

While James Gunn and the DCU have expressed pride in the series, fans have pointed out that The Penguin is not part of the DCU, and Gunn appears to have had little to no influence on it.

The Penguin is firmly rooted in Matt Reeves’ vision, making it largely separate from Gunn’s direction. Recently, Gunn confirmed that his involvement with the series was minimal and insignificant, clarifying that he does not consider it part of his own work.

The Penguin is thriving. The reviews are outstanding, fans are enthusiastic, and viewership numbers are high, confirming that HBO has a significant hit series in its lineup.

Each new episode generates excitement among fans, and the series is set to serve as a lead-in to the upcoming Batman sequel, establishing the timeline for another adventure featuring Pattinson’s Batman.

Meanwhile, James Gunn, as head of DC Studios, has praised the series and previously expressed pride in its success. Some fans interpreted this as an attempt by Gunn to link The Penguin to his DCU, even though the two are entirely separate in every conceivable way.

Firstly, Reeves’ Batman universe was built on entirely different foundations unrelated to the DCEU or the current DCU. Reeves is developing his own universe, and The Penguin is a direct result of that work, both in tone and narrative.

Secondly, Gunn has confirmed that Reeves’ work exists in a separate continuity, which fans have long understood—he had no involvement with The Penguin. However, he’s still been perceived as claiming it as his own? Well, not exactly.

As you’ll see, Gunn clarified that he only provided a few notes on the initial episodes, but that the team behind the project is doing such an excellent job that his involvement is practically non-existent:

Gunn has clarified the situation, so there’s no need for concern—he isn’t claiming The Penguin as his own. However, he continues to offer strong support for the series!

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