HBO Originals to Rebrand The Penguin, Dune: Prophecy

HBO is making a strategic move with its upcoming series, “The Penguin” and “Dune: Prophecy,” transitioning them from Max Originals to HBO Originals. This decision comes after negotiations to rebrand the shows under the HBO Originals umbrella. The shift was orchestrated by HBO and Max Content CEO Casey Bloys, who found a way to integrate both series into the HBO Originals lineup.

The decision to reposition “The Penguin” and “Dune: Prophecy” as HBO Originals follows the recent announcement by Warner Bros. Discovery to market other series like the Harry Potter series, IT prequel series Welcome to Derry, and Green Lantern series Lanterns as HBO Originals as well. As a result, these shows will now be broadcast on HBO and available for streaming on Max.

“The Penguin” features Colin Farrell in the role of Oswald Cobblepott, a gangster aiming to take over the criminal underworld in Gotham City following the demise of Carmine Falcone. The series serves as a spinoff from Matt Reeves’s film, The Batman, and boasts a star-studded cast including Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz, Michael Kelly, and others. Created by Lauren LeFranc, “The Penguin” is set to debut on September 19, 2024, on HBO and Max.

On the other hand, “Dune: Prophecy” is a prequel series to Dune that delves into the origins of the Bene Gesserit. The show stars Emily Watson as Valya Harkonnen and Olivia Williams as Tula Harkonnen, leading a talented ensemble cast. Created by Diane Ademu-John, “Dune: Prophecy” is scheduled to premiere in the fall of 2024 on HBO and Max.

These strategic shifts in branding for “The Penguin” and “Dune: Prophecy” mark a significant move for HBO as it consolidates its original content offerings under the HBO Originals banner. Fans of these highly anticipated series can look forward to enjoying them on HBO and streaming on Max in the near future.