HBO Max’s The Penguin Adds Rhenzy Feliz, Michael Kelly, & More

Encanto star Rhenzy Feliz has been tapped for one of the leading roles opposite Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti in HBO Max’s forthcoming The Penguin series. Feliz will reportedly portray a teenager who strikes up a friendship with Farrell’s Oswald Cobblepot. Production is expected to begin sometime this month in New York City.

According to Deadline, House of Cards star Michael Kelly and The Expanse actress Shohreh Aghdashloo have also been cast for Matt Reeves’ upcoming The Batman spin-off along with Outer Range‘s Deirdre O’Connell. Further details about their characters are still being kept under wraps.

Set in the world of the 2022’s The Batman, the HBO Max series will focus on Oswald Cobblepot’s past and show his rise to power in Gotham’s seedy underbelly rather than portray him as the established kingpin. The character has a rich history of live-action appearances, as Danny DeVito famously played Penguin in Batman Returns while Robin Lord Taylor portrayed him in Gotham.

The limited drama will be based on the DC characters created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger. It is being written by Lauren LeFranc, who is also set as the showrunner. The first two episodes will be directed by Craig Zobel.

The upcoming The Penguin series will be executive produced by The Batman‘s Dylan Clark and Matt Reeves, Farrell, LeFranc, Daniel Pipski, Adam Kassanand, and Rafi Crohn. It is a joint project between 6th and Idaho, DC Entertainment, Dylan Clark Productions, and Warner Bros. Television.