Minnie Driver Talks About Playing An ‘Androgynous’ Penguin In Batman: Caped Crusader And What She Would Ask Danny DeVito And Colin Farrell About Their Stints

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As a long-time fan of Batman and a connoisseur of innovative interpretations of beloved characters, I must say that Minnie Driver’s portrayal of Oswald Cobblepot, aka Penguin, in Batman: Caped Crusader is nothing short of brilliant. Her genderless take on the character adds a fresh perspective to the classic villain, creating an organic and compelling depiction that truly honors the original comics and animated series.

SPOILERS are ahead for Batman: Caped Crusader, now streaming with an Amazon Prime subscription.

In the upcoming fall, Colin Farrell will reprise his role from “The Batman” for the Max “Penguin” series. Meanwhile, another fascinating portrayal of the comic book villain has surfaced with Minnie Driver voicing the character in “Batman: Caped Crusader.” She is the first antagonist to appear in the new Amazon series, and she enjoyed creating a fresh spin on the role, describing her interpretation as an “androgynous” one.

At San Diego Comic Con, our team from TopMob had an opportunity to chat with Minnie Driver while she was promoting her series. She was there alongside Hamish Linklater, the new voice of Batman, and Jamie Chung, portraying a unique version of Harley Quinn. Here’s what she shared about playing the first female Penguin:

Hey there! It’s fantastic to see a game where diversity feels natural and authentic. Unlike some stories that can feel forced or contrived, this game seamlessly integrates characters that reflect real-world diversity. For instance, this peculiar, captivating character seems genderless in the most organic way possible – it’s like they’ve been part of the story since its inception. This authenticity reminds me of the original comics and animated series where the essence of the Penguin shines through, making it feel as if this was always the case.

According to Driver’s statement, it seems fitting that the character of Penguin should not be identified by a specific gender because this “creature” primarily identifies herself as an animal rather than human. In discussing her portrayal of this Penguin in the 1940s-set world of Caped Crusader, Minnie Driver mentioned her sources of inspiration.

She often donned men’s suits, similar to Marlene Dietrich, for her performances. While practicing my act, I’ve adopted this style slightly, as I initially appear in a suit during my opening number. Afterward, I switch to a dress for the rest of the show.

In her first appearance, this penguin character transitions from donning a penguin costume while singing in a club, to changing into a dress for a subsequent scene. This character’s creator drew inspiration from the renowned German silent film actress who was known for swiftly switching between wearing suits and gowns, much like the versatile penguin does. As the story progresses:

In my opinion, portraying the Penguin as a mother is quite intriguing, with an added layer that I can’t reveal too much about, as it gets quite grim and twisted. This dark twist seems fitting for Batman. It’s a fresh take on the character, though she’s entirely new, and there are hints of Danny DeVito and Colin Farrell in this interpretation.

After she listed the well-known actors who portrayed Penguin in previous live-action Batman films, I wondered whom she’d like to quiz Farrell and DeVito on their shared role, if given a chance. In her own words: “If I could, I’d love to pick their brains about the Penguin role they both play.”

As a huge fan, I can’t help but imagine how delightful it must have been for the actors to embody such an eccentric character. I mean, come on, Oswalda is a penguin! She’s sailing on this boat, which is essentially her floating iceberg, her home. The humor in the show is so rich and layered with clever analogies. I find myself wondering what personal touches or Easter eggs they incorporated into their performances that we might have missed. I mean, those were my favorite parts!

In the new animated series of Caped Crusader set in the ’40s, the driver’s portrayal may not be as prominent as in previous films, but it plays a crucial role in shaping a fresh perspective of Gotham. Since there have been numerous outstanding adaptations of the DC comic series, it’s only natural that this production by Matt Reeves, J.J. Abrams, and Bruce Timm aims to innovate, offering a fresh take on an animated reinvention.

The Dark Knight, who graced our screens with his return on Amazon, has been given a green light for another season. This means we’ll delve deeper into the mystery hinted by the Joker at the end of the first season. Fingers crossed that Minnie Driver’s portrayal of the Penguin will continue to send shivers through us in innovative ways during Season 2.

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2024-08-07 17:39