The HBO series The Penguin has taken a fresh approach to the iconic Batman villain, Oswald Cobblepot. While the character’s name has been changed to Oz Cobb, his infamous nickname, “The Penguin,” remains. However, as revealed by showrunner Lauren LeFranc, this moniker holds a deeply personal and painful meaning for the character.
Why is Oz Cobb Hates Being Called the Penguin?
In HBO’s The Penguin, audiences are quickly introduced to Oz Cobb (played by Colin Farrell), but one crucial detail is not to be overlooked: calling him “The Penguin” to his face is a dangerous mistake. While the name is iconic in Batman lore, showrunner Lauren LeFranc has explained that there are deeply personal reasons why Cobb, formerly known as Oswald Cobblepot, takes offense at being called by his comic book moniker. The show’s adaptation, which grounds the character within Matt Reeves’ The Batman universe, modifies his backstory and even his name, but the notorious nickname remains—though it’s one that cuts deeper than it appears.
According to LeFranc, Cobb’s anger at hearing “The Penguin” stems from painful personal experiences. In the comic books, Oswald is portrayed with penguin-like physical traits, including a short, stocky build and a long, hooked nose. However, Reeves’ version of the character has taken a more realistic approach, focusing on a physical deformity that sets him apart from others. In the show’s first episode, it is revealed that Oz Cobb has a congenital foot condition, causing him to walk with a limp. His criminal peers mockingly bestowed the nickname upon him, linking his appearance and disability to that of a penguin.
LeFranc shared in a Deadline interview that Oz’s perception of the nickname goes beyond surface-level teasing. “Oz didn’t appreciate the term, and that was something that felt derogatory toward him,” she stated, suggesting that Cobb sees it as a cruel reminder of his physical challenges. This nickname, in his mind, represents his enemies mocking his disability, making it more than just a title—it’s a personal attack. LeFranc emphasized that this aspect of the character needed to be handled delicately, striking a balance between Cobb’s physical limitations and his ruthless personality.
The showrunner also revealed her intention to maintain an empathetic yet unsentimental portrayal of Cobb. “It was important when we filmed it and when we chose music for it, that we don’t have saccharin music. It’s not something that’s supposed to say, ‘oh, look at Oz, poor him,’” LeFranc explained, underscoring that the character does not view his disability as a source of pity. Cobb’s life and choices are not defined by his limp, and the show deliberately avoids portraying him as a victim.
The Penguin Avoids Stereotypical Depictions of Disability in Comics
In the world of comic book superheroes and villains, where characters often wear exaggerated costumes to battle, there has been a persistent trope that uses physical disabilities to mark certain characters as different or “other.” Over the years, both comic books and Hollywood have been criticized for their portrayal of villains, often depicting them with disabilities or impairments to heighten their strangeness or villainy. One major example that has drawn attention is the James Bond franchise, where villains were frequently presented with physical impairments to symbolize their evil nature. Such portrayals have come under fire, reflecting a need to rethink how characters, especially antagonists, are presented to audiences.
When discussing the portrayal of Oswald Cobblepot, better known as the Penguin, the creative team made a conscious decision to avoid these outdated tropes. Lauren LeFranc, a key figure in the show’s development, emphasized that despite the Penguin having a physical impairment, it does not serve as the defining trait of his villainy. The physical aspect is merely an element of his character, not the root of his evil tendencies. Instead, the focus is placed on the psychological and emotional elements that shape his identity.
SUGGESTED: The Future of ‘The Penguin’ Series: More Than Just a One-Off?
LeFranc, addressing the issue, noted that the entire team was committed to not falling into the same traps as past portrayals of disabled villains. As she elaborated, “Also, I am conscious of the terrible tropes in the comics in terms of disability and what defines a villain. A lot of it would be facial scarring or something that makes them feel other. I wanted to understand him psychologically and have his villainy come from who he is at his core emotionally and not have it because of any kind of physical ailment or disability.”
This approach highlights a growing awareness in the entertainment industry, where creators are moving away from simplistic or harmful characterizations. The narrative gains depth by exploring a villain’s emotional and psychological foundation rather than relying on external traits like physical impairment and avoids perpetuating harmful stereotypes. The Penguin’s portrayal reflects this shift, presenting a more nuanced character who stands apart from traditional portrayals of villainy, grounded in authentic human traits rather than outdated depictions of disability.
