‘I’ve Never Felt Such Lack Of Total Ownership Over A Character’: The Penguin’s Colin Farrell Defends Himself Being Cast Instead Of A ‘Bigger Actor’

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'I've Never Felt Such Lack Of Total Ownership Over A Character': The Penguin's Colin Farrell Defends Himself Being Cast Instead Of A 'Bigger Actor'More About The Penguin

As a humble observer of the silver screen, I must confess that I’ve longed for moments when the magic of cinema transcends the ordinary and transports us to realms of extraordinary artistry. And from the tales spun by the esteemed Colin Farrell himself, it seems that the making of ‘The Batman’ has been one such journey.

Colin Farrell provides additional insights about the timeline for his role as The Penguin in an upcoming TV series, which hints at potential appearances of other DC Comics characters in live-action.

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Even though Batman is absent from the latest trailer for The Penguin’s show, his absence only heightens my anticipation for this series.

It’s no wonder that HBO is developing a spinoff series centered around Colin Farrell’s character, Oswald Cobblepot (aka The Penguin), following his exceptional performance in “The Batman”. In Matt Reeves’ film, Farrell completely immerses himself in the role, convincingly portraying a ruthless crime boss within Gotham’s underworld. Moreover, his transformation into The Penguin is so impressive due to remarkable design and special effects that it’s hard to recognize him. However, while Farrell has received widespread praise for his acting, there have also been some criticisms, which he addressed during a panel at San Diego Comic-Con last weekend.

Approaching the premiere of “The Penguin” on HBO, scheduled for September 19, Colin Farrell recently participated in a panel discussion via virtual means. During this event, he shared extensive insights into the process of transforming himself into the menacing, overweight, and scarred Oswald Cobblepot. He expressed admiration for practical effects and the collective effort required to animate the character, but also acknowledged his initial reservations about the approach.

Colin Farrell Inquired About Playing A ‘Thin Penguin’ – And Shared Love For Gotham’s Robin Lord Taylor

As I stood before a colossal screen, flanked by my fellow cast members Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz, series creator Lauren LeFranc, makeup designer Mike Marino, and executive producers Matt Reeves and Dylan Clark during The Batman panel, I took a moment to address the critics who’ve questioned my casting as Oswald Cobblepot. Frankly, if I were an outsider, I’d be asking the same questions myself. After all, I did wonder if embodying the comic book size of the character was essential for the role. But here I am, ready to bring this iconic villain to life in a way that feels authentic and true to me.

Initially, some people might have questioned the casting choice by saying things like, “Why wasn’t a larger actor or someone who resembled the character more chosen?” If I weren’t part of the show, I might have thought the same way. However, since I am in the show, I understand the circumstances. As we discussed before, my role was already set, and I didn’t want to add excessive weight. Matt suggested a larger Penguin, but I proposed a slim version instead.

After presenting his last concept, Farrell admitted that a “slim Penguin” wouldn’t have been an entirely original take. Historically, the character in comics, TV shows, and movies has been depicted as plump. However, this was not the approach taken for the extended series Gotham, and Oscar-nominated actor Robin Lord Taylor recognized his role in continuing the Penguin legacy.

As a lover of cinema and television, I must admit that I’ve missed out on watching Gotham. However, having followed the careers of Burgess Meredith and Danny DeVito for quite some time, I was intrigued to explore this series as well. Yet, when I heard about Robin Lord Taylor’s exceptional acting skills, I hesitated to dive in, fearing my interpretation might be influenced or tainted. After all, I don’t want to consciously imitate or replicate someone else’s work; I prefer to let each artist’s unique talent inspire me instead. So, while I haven’t seen Gotham, I’ve heard nothing but praise for Robin Lord Taylor’s performance, and I look forward to experiencing it at some point in the future.

Despite the possibility that the method might have been distinctive, director Matt Reeves of “The Batman” did not conceive of a ‘slender Penguin’ for his film. Instead, the creative team focused on crafting a unique appearance.

Embracing The Dying Art Of Practical Effects

Colin Farrell attributed the distinctive appearance of The Penguin in “The Batman” to Michael Marino’s work, expressing admiration for the feat, considering it a remarkable achievement in what he refers to as a “dying art.” While advanced technologies like performance capture and digital creation are prevalent in modern Hollywood, Colin appreciates the tangible quality that practical effects such as prosthetics and special makeup bring. Farrell further emphasized his appreciation for this traditional craftsmanship.

In this scenario, I was assigned the role, and it was Michael Marino who came up with an intriguing concept. To be specific, Matt Reeves had a particular vision for the character’s appearance, exchanging images to convey his ideas. What made the process fascinating was the use of practical makeup effects, a rare skill in modern cinema today, as digital effects are becoming more prevalent and cost-effective. For me, movies like The Thing stand out because they offer an incredibly immersive experience. John Carpenter’s The Thing is so visceral since it appears that the events are unfolding in a real environment and being captured on camera.

Farrell stated that the detailed design of The Penguin’s character in “The Batman” wasn’t finalized until after he was confirmed for the role in the movie. However, once he joined the cast, a magical transformation ensued. (Farrell) said.

Instead, the initial plan wasn’t about me playing a large, bald man with a hooked nose and pockmarks. That might have seemed strange or even comical. However, before this could happen, I was already offered the role. Later, Michael Marino, a true genius, joined us and transformed the character. Essentially, it was a blend of his creativity, Matt Reeves’, Lauren LeFranc’s, and Dylan Clark’s artistic visions that shaped the character. So, in essence, that’s how we developed this character, possibly different from the traditional Penguin depiction.

When portraying both The Batman’s foe, The Penguin, Colin Farrell discovered an unprecedented approach to embodying characters that was entirely novel to him.

Colin Farrell Feels He Owes A Lot Of Credit To His Collaborators For His Performances In Both The Batman And The Penguin

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but appreciate the intricate process behind bringing characters to life on screen. While Colin Farrell is undeniably the face of Oswald Cobblepot, it’s important to remember that his performance isn’t just an impromptu act. In fact, he’s emphasized that embodying this character has been a unique and enriching experience in his career. What makes it extraordinary is not just his personal spirit infusing the role, but also the collective effort that breathes life into the part.

In a unique experience, I haven’t felt such a profound sense of full control over the character I portrayed. Interestingly, I’m thankful for this detachment since I feel like I co-own this character with an equal share – though on particularly needy days, I might claim slightly more at 51%. However, the remaining 49% always belongs to Mike, a testament to his contribution. Of course, I must acknowledge Lauren’s brilliant writing, Matt’s efforts, Dylan’s contributions, and everyone else involved in this collaborative effort.

In essence, Michael Marino’s outstanding work on The Batman was widely recognized and applauded, culminating in a prestigious Academy Award nomination in the year 2023.

Colin Farrell isn’t typically known for method acting, yet through his work with Michael Marino and the artists on “The Batman” and “The Penguin”, he had the chance to immerse himself deeply in the characters, allowing them to exist independently without him, as he put it, “disappear” and let the characters simply be who they are.

Essentially, it’s a 50/50 chance for Marino, myself, and our exceptional team – considering his crew as well, including the makeup artists he works with. However, it’s a fading skillset, truly remarkable. It was exhilarating to be involved in such an endeavor, feeling almost invisible. I practically vanished. After three hours of morning makeup, the suit went on and I was gone. The experience was delightful, and it did me a great service. It was a significant honor.

Starting this coming Thursday, September 19th, the eighth series of the popular show “The Penguin” commences. For those with a Max subscription, fresh episodes from each week’s run can be streamed right after they are broadcast.

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2024-07-30 23:07