Colin Farrell Talks Texting Danny DeVito About Their Penguin Rivalry

This week, Colin Farrell returns to the screen as Oz Cobb in “The Penguin,” a character first introduced in the 2022 film “The Batman.” This new series dives deeper into the gritty criminal underworld of Gotham City, where Farrell’s portrayal of the infamous mobster takes center stage.

The character of The Penguin, a notorious figure from DC Comics, has seen numerous interpretations over the years. Perhaps the most iconic version remains Danny DeVito’s portrayal in Tim Burton’s 1992 film “Batman Returns.” As Farrell prepared to reprise his role, he reached out to DeVito for a bit of fun, exchanging texts that playfully debated “who’s the best Penguin.” Their friendly banter stems from a long-standing camaraderie, as the two actors previously worked together in the 2019 film “Dumbo,” also directed by Burton.

While Farrell acknowledged that he grew up watching DeVito’s version of The Penguin and admired Burgess Meredith’s take in the classic 1960s “Batman” TV series, he found his inspiration for this portrayal in darker, more complex sources. He cited influences such as Dustin Hoffman’s Ratso Rizzo in “Midnight Cowboy,” Robert De Niro’s Al Capone in “The Untouchables,” and James Gandolfini’s Tony Soprano from “The Sopranos.”

“All of them are in there,” Farrell explained. “I’ve seen ‘The Untouchables’ twice and ‘Midnight Cowboy’ four times. As an actor, everything you watch or listen to resonates with you. It all filters into the characters you play, in various ways.” This multifaceted approach allowed Farrell to craft a Penguin that is both distinctive and deeply rooted in the character’s darker traits.

Delving into such a morally bankrupt character brought its own challenges. Farrell admitted that embodying the remorseless cruelty of The Penguin took a toll on his mood. “By the end of it, I was grumpy because he’s such a dark and cruel character. I was in a bit of a funk by the end. I was glad to be done,” he reflected.

To cope with the emotional weight of the role, Farrell found solace in light-hearted entertainment. After a long day of filming, he would retreat to his hotel room and unwind by watching Pixar movies. “I’d put on ‘Finding Nemo.’ Honestly, I had to watch something uplifting. No dark material for me,” he shared, highlighting the stark contrast between his on-screen persona and his off-screen needs.

Farrell’s approach to portraying The Penguin emphasizes the importance of balancing the character’s darkness with personal well-being. The contrast between the heavy themes of his role and the light-hearted films he turned to for relief showcases the complexity of an actor’s life, navigating between intense emotional experiences and the need for lightness.

As “The Penguin” prepares to debut, fans can anticipate a nuanced performance from Farrell that pays homage to the character’s storied legacy while also paving a new path. With his blend of inspiration from classic cinema and his own unique take, Farrell is set to bring a compelling version of The Penguin to life, making the character his own in the process.

Ultimately, the conversation between Farrell and DeVito highlights not just a playful rivalry but also the camaraderie that exists among actors who share a role, no matter how varied their interpretations may be. As Farrell steps back into the shoes of this complex character, he embraces the challenge with both respect and a sense of humor, promising an engaging experience for fans of the franchise.