The Penguin has got some serious mobster inspiration from the best of Hollywood gangster movies. And though The Sopranos might naturally come to mind, we could be in for something unexpected.
According to Matt Reeves, The Penguin is a mix of Gotham grit with a surprising twist. Reeves recently spilled the beans that The Penguin’s character, played by Colin Farrell, draws heavily from a character in The Godfather.
Now, if you're thinking of Don Vito or Michael Corleone, think again. Reeves actually took cues from Fredo Corleone, who could be called the “underdog” of the mob family.
Reeves saw something in Fredo's overlooked nature and wily ambition. That made him a perfect fit for shaping Oswald Cobblepot's story.
Fredo Corleone: The unlikely inspiration for The Penguin
Fredo, famously played by John Cazale, was the quieter Corleone brother. He was often underestimated and seen as weak by everyone. But Reeves saw something else.
According to FandomWire, the filmmaker saw a deep-seated ambition. He saw a man full of raw, underestimated rage that simmers just beneath the surface. It’s this “hidden fire” of Fredo that Reeves wanted to capture in The Penguin. And this is what he believed would give Oswald Cobblepot a layer of complexity.
In The Penguin, like Fredo, The Penguin has a bit of that “invisible ambition”. It is the kind of drive that might make him willing to do whatever it takes. No matter how ruthless he has to be to get where he wants.
He’s still Gotham’s unpredictable, eccentric villain. But now he’s got a deeper purpose, one that’s got a grittier edge.
Looks aren't everything, but…
Fredo’s ambitious spirit isn’t the only thing Reeves borrows from the character. Even The Penguin’s look is inspired by Fredo.
Reeves used elements of the less-popular Corleone to shape Oswald’s aesthetic. If you take a good look, you can spot those familiar, low-key vibes from Fredo in The Penguin’s wardrobe. It’s a little bit vintage and a touch awkward. But, as Gotham's underworld knows, underestimating The Penguin is a big mistake.
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Like Fredo, The Penguin is looked down on
One of the best parts about this Fredo-inspired Penguin is how he’s often underestimated by everyone around him. When it comes to Fredo, Reeves explained it perfectly, saying:
“... people just look at him as a joke.”
And this extends to The Penguin as well. And that's exactly what makes The Penguin much more dangerous than Fredo, perhaps.
While others brush him off, he’s brewing plans. He is plotting his rise in the criminal world. He might seem like just another player in Gotham, but there’s a fierce, ambitious side of him ready to pounce when the time is right.
Reeves has hinted that in the show's big finale, all the Fredo-inspired ambition and unpredictable rage we've seen building up in Oswald will come to a head. Fans can expect a serious payoff with a thrilling wrap-up.
Also read - The Penguin Episode 8: Release date and time, what to expect and more
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The Penguin is available to stream on Max.
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