According to an official press release, HBO’s highly anticipated original limited series The Penguin, starring Academy Award-nominated actor Colin Farrell (The Batman, Sugar, The Gentlemen) as Oz Cobb, is set to make a splash in New York City and beyond. Following a successful takeover of San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, The Penguin Takeover global campaign will continue to build excitement ahead of the series premiere on Thursday, September 19 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and Max.
Also mentioned by the press release, as part of The Penguin Takeover, Oz Cobb and his crew will bring exclusive merchandise trucks to various locations across New York City, partnering with local businesses and illuminating iconic landmarks in the Penguin’s signature plum purple hue. Fans will have unique opportunities to engage with the show, from attending early screenings to enjoying specialty menu items at select businesses. The Penguin Takeover is designed to immerse fans in Gotham City, the setting for the series, and bring the world of The Penguin to life across the city.
New York City’s Feast of San Gennaro and the New York Latino Film Festival Block Party will also be key venues for The Penguin Takeover. Exclusive Penguin-themed merchandise, street food, and a signature purple Maserati will be featured at these events. According to the press release, the Alamo Drafthouse will host early fan screenings of the series’ first episode across eight locations nationwide, including a special event in Lower Manhattan with a Q&A session featuring director Craig Zobel (The Hunt, Undertow, Great World Of Sound), showrunner Lauren LeFranc (Impulse, Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D, Hemlock Grove) and executive producer Dylan Clark (Portraits Of God, Transfigure, Behind The Frame).
As mentioned in the press release, on Tuesday, September 17, several New York City landmarks—including the Empire State Building, One World Trade Center and the Javits Center—will light up in plum purple to celebrate the series’ upcoming debut. Max, HBO’s streaming service, has also expanded the campaign internationally, with plans to bring The Penguin’s Iceberg Lounge and other experiences to France, Spain, tThe Netherlands and Thailand.
As part of the Penguin Takeover, Max has teamed up with local establishments like Emillio’s Ballato, Scarr’s Pizza and Casa Magazines to offer exclusive menu items and merchandise from September 12 to 22. Gotham-themed locations like Gotham Burger Social Club and Gotham Wine & Liquors will also be transformed to reflect the dark, post-apocalyptic world of Gotham City.
According to the press release, The Penguin is a major production for New York City, earning the prestigious “Made in NY” title for its heavy use of the city’s iconic locations. The series is a spin-off of Matt Reeves’ (Cloverfield, Let Me In, Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes) The Batman, continuing the crime saga with Farrell reprising his role as the cunning and ruthless Oz Cobb, also known as The Penguin. The series promises to explore the underbelly of Gotham City through the eyes of one of its most iconic villains.
With an expansive marketing campaign and immersive fan experiences, The Penguin takeover is building anticipation for what is sure to be one of the most talked-about premieres of the year.