Here's Why HBO's The Penguin Changed Oswald Cobblepot's Name

As a long-time Batman fan who has seen numerous iterations of the Penguin, I must say that this latest portrayal of Oswald ‘Oz’ Cobb in HBO’s The Penguin is a refreshing take on a classic character. While it may seem like a minor change to call him Oz instead of Cobblepot, it adds a layer of grit and realism to the character that I find intriguing.

In simpler terms, while many people might not recognize him by name, they’re familiar with the villainous character in Batman stories known as the Penguin, whose real name is Oswald Cobblepot. However, for the latest and potentially most outstanding portrayal of this character on HBO, the writers have decided to switch things up a bit. Instead of going by Oswald Cobblepot, the main character in The Penguin series is now referred to as Oswald ‘Oz’ Cobb.

Instead of suggesting a future change to his real name, it seems clear that the character we know as the Penguin was originally named Oz Cobb. For some reason or another, his mother may have changed his name at some point, but this character, known as Oz Cobb, has not regained his original identity.

In an interview, producer Dylan Clark stated that the Riddler’s name was altered in the comics from Edward Nigma to Edward Nashton, making it more realistic. This change, he added, made the character feel more grounded.

Initially, when the Riddler was brought to life, his name was Edward Nigma or Nygma, a playful nod to his future character traits. Over time, it was revealed that Edward Nashton was actually his birth name, with Nygma being a name he adopted later in his life.

As a gamer, I’ve been fortunate enough to have some in-depth chats with the bigwigs over at DC Comics, including Jim Lee himself. They’d been pondering a potential name change for our character, but it had never happened before. Me, being curious as ever, asked if we could call him Oz Cobb instead. To my delight, Jim gave us the green light! So, with the blessing of the king of comics, we got to view this character from a more down-to-earth perspective.

It’s true that Oswald Cobblepot is a comically fancy name, like the kind of name someone gives a cat with a particularly luxurious coat. But it’s not like his name was Partridge Egret Nighthawk Guin or something. Oswald Cobblepot is just a fancy gentleman’s name for a fancy gentleman who wants to be part of high society. It’s also true that while DC did rename the Riddler to Edward Nashton, and that Reeves’ Batman called him by that name, Batman fans still think of him as being Edward Nygma.

In an interview, showrunner Lauren LeFranc explained that she is developing a unique storyline for the show, similar to how Matt created a distinct narrative for his film. She mentioned that while we may recognize some characters, they will have a fresh interpretation. Regarding one character in particular, Penguin (Cobblepott), she suggested that in the world Matt created for the film, he seemed more like a fictional character, whereas in this show, Penguin is portrayed as a genuine individual with the last name Cobb. Essentially, it feels more authentic.

In Fox’s Gotham TV series, they creatively approached this by revealing that Oswald’s mother was named Gertrud Kapelput, a Hungarian surname similar to his own, but hinting that his family’s name had evolved over the years as they assimilated into American life.

In this iteration of the Penguin, who’s more of a determined mobster instead of a hopeful high-society figure, the name seems quite fitting. It’s a minor, almost accidental alteration, yet it feels oddly superfluous.

As a dedicated fan, I’m thrilled to share that “The Penguin” is a production masterminded by Matt Reeves, Dylan Clark, Colin Farrell, and Lauren LeFranc. In this captivating series, it’s Colin Farrell who brings the titular character to life, while Lauren LeFranc skillfully guides the narrative as the showrunner. Mark your calendars, because the premier episode of “The Penguin” will be gracing our screens on HBO and Max on September 19!

2024-09-18 17:39

Here’s Why HBO’s The Penguin Changed Oswald Cobblepot’s Name

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