What caused The Penguin’s limp in the new TV series? Showrunner explains the condition

Viewers who have been following The Penguin on HBO since its debut will have noticed Oswald "Oz" Cobb's distinct limp throughout the series. While the show doesn’t provide an explicit explanation for Oz’s condition, showrunner Lauren LeFranc shed some light on it during an interview with Digital Spy on September 20, 2024.

During her conversation with the news outlet, LeFranc revealed that Oz's limp is due to clubfoot, a type of foot deformity. She also explained why she believed it was essential to portray the condition on screen.

LeFranc said:

"What we establish in the first episode is that he has a clubfoot, and to me what I found interesting about that, in present times, often people get surgery and often fix a clubfoot."

She added:

"But in my mind, his mother, who didn't have a lot of money, decided that the difference in him would make him stronger. That he didn't need to change an aspect of himself in that regard."

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What is clubfoot, the reason behind Oz's limp in The Penguin?

As previously mentioned, Oswald Cobb's limp in The Penguin is attributed to a condition called clubfoot, as explained by showrunner Lauren LeFranc in an interview with Digital Spy.

For those unfamiliar with clubfoot (or congenital talipes equinovarus), it’s a congenital condition where one or both feet are turned inward and downward. This occurs due to shortened tendons that connect muscles to bones, which pulls the foot out of alignment.

If left untreated, clubfoot can lead to significant issues, including difficulty walking, soreness, and the noticeable limp seen in Oz's character. However, the condition is treatable, and a specific casting technique has been used for years to effectively correct the alignment, helping individuals overcome its effects.

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How was Oswald Cobb's clubfoot condition brought to life in The Penguin?

Since Colin Farrell, who plays Oswald Cobb in the series, does not have clubfoot, the makeup and prosthetics team had to take special measures to convincingly depict his character’s condition.

In an interview with The Wrap on September 19, 2024, Mike Marino, The Penguin's prosthetic makeup designer, shared that he created the prosthetic for Oz's clubfoot just 20 minutes before Farrell arrived for the shoot. He said:

“I had sculpted like 20 minutes before [Colin] came — a foot that I thought was crazy. He sat in the chair and I was working in the corner and I showed him and I was like, ’What do you think of this thing?’”

During the conversation, Farrell echoed Marino's sentiments, praising the makeup and prosthetics team for their work. He highlighted Marino's innovative techniques, which added depth to his character portrayal, and described his craftsmanship as “so lofi and yet so highly brilliant.”

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The next episode of The Penguin is scheduled for release on October 27, 2024.