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Colin Farrell won’t rule out returning as the Penguin, but HATES wearing the fatsuit

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Colin Farrell won't rule out returning as the Penguin, but HATES wearing the fatsuit

As a long-time fan of both Batman and quality television, I must admit that I am quite excited about the upcoming HBO series, The Penguin. While it may seem odd to base a whole spinoff on a minor character from a Batman movie, I have faith in HBO’s ability to deliver something compelling.

Coming up next week, HBO is set to broadcast “The Penguin,” a fresh series chronicling the rise of the notorious Batman adversary through the criminal underbelly of Gotham City. Colin Farrell will reprise his role as the titular character, having initially portrayed him in 2022’s “The Batman,” directed by Matt Reeves.

I am intrigued. Basing a whole spinoff on a minor character from a Batman movie sounds a little suspect, but HBO usually puts out quality TV, so I’ll assume they had a good reason for making this. Also, it’s wild to know that it’s famous actor Colin Farrell beneath all that makeup and under that prosthetic fatsuit. He looks unrecognizable. When I saw The Batman, I don’t think I realized Farrell was in it until I read about it later.

Farrell found the transformation challenging and confesses that considering another round of it is one factor deterring him from promptly agreeing to a second season. As he explained to Total Film, “I’m not sure, man,” but he made clear that he enjoyed the experience. However, by the end of it, he was venting his frustrations to anyone who would listen, expressing a desire for the project to be over. He attempted to remind them of his ‘grumpy gratitude,’ meaning he was still appreciative and honored, despite feeling irritable at times. He grew up admiring Burgess Meredith, who played the Penguin in the 1960s Batman TV series, and Danny DeVito, who portrayed the character in Tim Burton’s 1992 film Batman Returns. Thus, being a part of the lineage of that storytelling left him feeling privileged, but by the end of it…

[Showrunner Lauren LeFranc] said, ‘Look, if I could find a way that makes sense, would you talk about it?’ And I said, ‘Absolutely.’ And maybe in a year I would. But when I finished I was like, ‘I never want to put that fucking suit and that fucking head on again.’

For Farrell, the transformation wasn’t just about the physical change that seemed intimidating. It was equally challenging to inhabit the psyche of such a ruthless character. As he explained, “It wasn’t as if I didn’t recognize myself or started setting cars on fire, but… when you combine what Matt Reeves created, what Lauren did, and what Mike [Marino, prosthetics and make-up designer] did, it was a truly impactful experience.

We’ll determine if there’s any enthusiasm for another season of “The Penguin” when it debuts on HBO and Max on Thursday, September 19. However, keep in mind that the next episode won’t air until Sunday, and new episodes will follow every Sunday after that; the release schedule is a bit peculiar. As for the dramatic makeover, I can’t help but wonder: since making Colin Farrell into an unattractive, overweight villain was such a challenge, why didn’t Matt Reeves consider casting someone who resembled the Penguin more from the start?

As a fan, I can’t help but ponder if Farrell was brought on board not just for his undeniable talent, but also due to his renowned name. He certainly is a skilled actor. Yet, I can’t help but wonder if perhaps a talented plus-size actor without the typical matinee idol looks was overlooked. If so, it might have saved us all a significant amount of time.

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2024-09-12 20:42

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