Believe it or not, Colin Farrell was “extremely uncomfortable” during The Penguin’s nude torture scene

September 26, 2024

Believe it or not, Colin Farrell was "extremely uncomfortable" during The Penguin's nude torture scene

As a fan who’s seen more than a few crime dramas in my time, let me tell you that The Penguin has left quite an impression. I must admit, I wasn’t expecting much from a series spun off from a superhero movie about a secondary villain, but boy was I wrong! Colin Farrell‘s portrayal of Oswald Cobblepot is nothing short of mesmerizing, and Cristin Milioti as Sofia Falcone is equally captivating.

It might shock you to discover that “The Penguin” could be the standout series this year. The reason it’s surprising is that it’s exceptionally well-made, which goes against my initial skepticism towards a miniseries stemming from a superhero film about a secondary antagonist in the Batman universe. However, it seems I was the one being fooled: “The Penguin” turns out to be an engrossing crime drama, with Colin Farrell delivering a powerful portrayal of ambitious criminal mastermind Oswald Cobblepot, and Cristin Milioti almost stealing the show as Sofia Falcone, the late daughter of Gotham City’s final major crime lord.

In the criminal realm, there’s currently a void of power and someone is poised to seize it. Oz believes it should be him, but Sofia emerges as a significant obstacle. She suspects that Oz played a role in her brother Alberto’s death, who was expected to lead the Falcone crime family before Oz allegedly killed him in rage. To uncover the truth, she plans to interrogate Oz intensely, going so far as to strip him, tie him up, and prepare to inflict pain on him.

In a dramatic turn of events, Oz is rescued by his latest companion Victor, making the scene both gripping and visually stunning. Colin Farrell, known for his striking good looks and slender physique, transforms into the homely and large Oz by being covered in heavy makeup and prosthetics. Remarkably, the transformation appears authentic, even during nude scenes, but it takes a toll on comfort, as Craig Zobel, the episode director, revealed to CinemaBlend.

Zobel stated, “The duration it took to accomplish that task was considerable.” On that day, Colin found himself in immense discomfort. He was unable to relieve himself for hours. It required a great deal of mental fortitude from all of us to figure out how to carry it out. This was after countless meetings about that specific scene. … It was quite an achievement. In fact, we postponed filming that scene multiple times because we weren’t fully prepared.

This particular scene played a crucial role for Sofia, as it served to introduce her as a potential danger. In Zobel’s own words, “I didn’t want the scene to seem too technical or dry; instead, I wanted it to remain engaging for Cristin. It showcases the development of that character, so she needed to have a genuine interaction, rather than acting in front of an empty chair. She required Colin’s presence, and the scene had to feel authentic.

Believe it or not, Colin Farrell was "extremely uncomfortable" during The Penguin's nude torture scene

Why the Penguin isn’t often called the Penguin in The Pegnuin

I strongly anticipate that Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti will be in Emmy contention for their roles later on, given his outstanding physical portrayal. Particularly, Farrell is excelling in this role, and it’s not just because of the exceptional makeup by Michael Marino, who is also certain to receive an Emmy. Farrell skillfully adopts an accent and walks with a limp that draws comparisons to a penguin. It’s a remarkable transformation, yet Oz’s intelligence always shines through his eyes.

When it comes to Oz’s character on the show, you might have observed that they rarely refer to him by his well-known alias. This deliberate choice was made clear by showrunner Lauren LeFranc in an interview with Deadline: “I understood that Oz didn’t care for the term,” she said, “and I felt it was disparaging towards him. Gangsters often have nicknames among their peers, so it seemed fitting that his nickname from others would be ‘The Penguin.’ However, it’s not a term he identifies with.

In essence, the nickname will be mentioned at some point, as Farrell discusses a deleted scene where Oz accepts it. He often responds to children who call him a “penguin” by agreeing, suggesting he’s embracing the term. It seems to me that Oz is embodying this nickname and his own unique mythology. While not crucial to the plot, I find the notion appealing that by the end, he’s comfortable with it, recognizing the power in having such a symbolic name.

As he implies, at the conclusion, it seems that circumstances may shift. Many viewers, I believe, will find themselves eagerly awaiting each new episode, which airs every Sunday night on both HBO and Max.

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2024-09-26 23:41