Batman prequel Pennyworth ridiculed after announcing ‘preposterous’ new title for season three
‘Why didn’t you call this “Butler Begins”?’ one person joked
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Fans have ridiculed the DC Comics adaptation Pennyworth after it was announced the Epix TV series was changing its title ahead of its third season.
The series, which focuses on Bruce Wayne’s manservant Alfred Pennyworth (Jack Bannon) will now be called Pennyworth: The Origin of Batman’s Butler.
People shared jokes about the clunkily literal name on social media after the change was announced yesterday (10 August).
“Only worth it if they make the actors say the full title in interviews, or even casual conversation,” Twitter user @JeremyMonjo joked.
“That is the funniest title I’ve ever heard good job,” wrote @staticbluebat.
“This would be really cool if for the first 2 seasons they didn’t let on that that’s what the show has been about and this was like a bombshell press release, like everyone thought they were just watching a period drama,” joked content creator Jenny Nicholson.
“Dear @hbomax why didn’t you call this BUTLER BEGINS?” quipped screenwriter Brian Lynch.
Others, however, were even more scathing of the new name.
“Changing the title of Pennyworth to Pennyworth: The Origins of Batman’s Butler is the sort of creativity-free brand-chasing that you’d assume was parody except that apparently it’s not a joke,” wrote TV critic Daniel Fienberg.
“I love Pennyworth man, but I genuinely wanna boycott the show over that title, like it takes what is a really cool gritty spy drama and makes it sound like this jokey, parody show. Just keep the f***ing name as is,” one fan of the series wrote.
“It’s hilarious that WB has concocted this preposterous title to highlight who the hell Pennyworth is in reference to when they could’ve just called this show ‘Alfred’,” another suggested.
In the UK, Pennyworth is available to stream on Starz. In honour of the show’s name change, we’ve compiled the 35 most absurd titles of all time.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments