Actor Colin Farrell opened up about the difficulties of portraying iconic Batman villain “The Penguin” in an upcoming HBO series and potential future films. Farrell first took on the role of Oz Cobb in director Matt Reeves’ blockbuster movie “The Batman” last year. He has since signed on to star in an HBO series exploring the character in greater depth.
In a recent interview, Farrell described the physically demanding process of transforming into The Penguin through prosthetics and makeup. The application could take several hours and left him feeling drained by the end of long shooting days. “I don’t know, man. Don’t get me wrong – I loved it – but it got in on me a little bit,” Farrell said. Despite finding the role rewarding, he admitted to friends that he looked forward to the project ending.
Farrell said taking on such an iconic Batman villain came with pressure to honor the legacy of previous actors like Burgess Meredith and Danny DeVito. He called it a “privilege” to join their ranks in portraying the evolving character. Though tiring, Farrell called working with makeup designer Mike Marino to find The Penguin’s appearance a “powerful experience.”
While unsure initially about reprising the role, Farrell has since opened to returning depending on the story. Showrunner Lauren LeFranc proposed potential future seasons that interested Farrell, though he cautioned it may take a year’s break first. Director Reeves also said Farrell will feature in the currently planned sequel to “The Batman” set to film next year.
Audiences can expect the HBO series launching September 19th to provide a grittier depiction of Gotham’s criminal underworld through The Penguin’s eyes. Farrell teased the show will delve deeply into Oz Cobb’s complex personality in a “twisted” and “incredibly violent” manner.
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