As a film enthusiast with a deep appreciation for cinematic history, I can’t help but reminisce about the days when Marlon Brando graced our screens with his mesmerizing presence. His career spanned over five decades and he played some of the most iconic roles in cinema history, including Don Vito Corleone in “The Godfather.
Due to Colin Farrell’s outstanding portrayals in “The Batman” and more recently, “The Penguin”, DC enthusiasts are deeply discussing who delivers the finest live-action depiction of Oswald Cobblepot (or Cobb). Just as Heath Ledger did with The Joker in “The Dark Knight”, Farrell has poured a great deal of effort into making his character as flawless as possible. However, in an era where some fans still hold Jack Nicholson’s portrayal of the Joker in high regard, others argue that Danny DeVito’s performance in “Batman Returns” is unrivaled. But is this truly the case? This debate certainly warrants many hours of passionate discussion.
1992 saw a remarkable portrayal of the Gotham criminal by none other than Danny DeVito. Unlike the scheming Cosa Nostra member aiming to destabilize the most powerful crime family in the city, this Penguin was born malformed and abandoned by his indifferent high-society parents into the sewers. Over time, he found a family among penguins and, as an adult, transformed Gotham into his personal playground. DeVito’s performance was more of a Penguin-Man than the traditional portrayal of the character. Interestingly, Tim Burton initially favored another actor to play the iconic scoundrel.
Several Great Actors Were in Contention, with Marlon Brando as the First Choice
Following the triumph of the 1989 film “Batman”, a sequel was essentially unavoidable, much like Thanos’s arrival in the Marvel universe. However, Tim Burton had his doubts. He felt the narrative didn’t require further development, but Hollywood’s financial priorities don’t often accommodate such sentiments. Money takes precedence, so the studio continued to push, eventually persuading Burton under the condition that he would maintain creative control. He discarded the script penned by Sam Hamm for the first film, which featured the Penguin and Catwoman as partner villains, and recruited Daniel Waters instead. Waters’ work on the ’80s cult classic “Heathers” had left a lasting impression.
In the matter of selecting the Penguin, Tim Burton had a different vision. He desired Marlon Brando to portray Gotham’s Godfather, but Warner Bros. executives rejected this idea in favor of Dustin Hoffman. Christopher Lloyd was another contender due to his likeness to the suited criminal from the 1966 Batman television series, but none of these actors ultimately landed the role.
When Burton and Waters revised the character into a malevolent, deformed figure who thrived in the sewers, the focus moved towards Danny DeVito as his appearance closely matched their written description.
As per Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), DeVino found himself inundated with offers at that moment. Nevertheless, he pondered over refusing the role momentarily. However, after discussing the atmosphere on such film sets with his friend Jack Nicholson, he decided to take it up. To further clarify his vision, Burton presented DeVino with a painting of the villain which he had created, accompanied by an intriguing caption.
“My name is Jimmy, but my friends call me the hideous penguin boy.”
Following that, the actor became fully engrossed in his role. He maintained a veil of secrecy about the character’s physical attributes, even from his own family, ensuring that viewers would be taken aback when the movie was finally released. Interestingly, Burgess Meredith, who portrayed the Penguin on the television series, was initially offered the role of the villain’s father at the beginning of the film. However, he became unwell, causing the concept to be abandoned.
Like Jack Nicholson, Danny DeVito Gave an Over-the-Top Performance
In “Batman Returns,” Danny DeVito’s portrayal of the Penguin is widely admired, but not everyone shares this view. While Jack Nicholson’s performance as the Joker was universally praised, opinions on DeVito were divided. He was nominated for a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor, yet he also received a Razzie nomination in the same category. Furthermore, Warner Bros. faced numerous complaints from parents due to the Penguin’s menacing black saliva and behavior, which many found frightening.
Nonetheless, DeVito’s and Nicholson’s portrayals in their respective roles are quite similar, both exhibiting an exaggerated style. In the film ‘Batman Returns’, DeVito’s Penguin character is filled with circus-like antics and seems to shout at every opportunity. This fits perfectly with the narrative as his character serves as a vivid reminder of itself within the movie.
“My name is not Oswald! It’s Penguin! I am not a human being! I am an animal! Cold blooded!”
Following the debut of “The Batman,” DeVito didn’t hold back his thoughts. In an interview with Vanity Fair, he boldly stated that his portrayal of the Penguin surpassed that of Colin Farrell. This mirrors the trend among older actors in the Batman franchise who often express disapproval towards modern interpretations of their characters. For instance, Nicholson was rumored to be unimpressed by Heath Ledger’s Joker, while Michael Keaton has consistently asserted that he is the definitive Batman.
Marlon Brando’s Penguin Could Have Been Closer to Collin Farrell’s Version
Industry experts often spoke about Marlon Brando’s stubbornness, which frequently drove directors and producers to exasperation. Considering his challenging demeanor on set, it is understandable that Warner Bros. might have decided against casting him as the Penguin, given the potential difficulties.
Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that the seasoned actor could have been an excellent fit for the umbrella-wielding antagonist in Batman Returns, as this character type aligns well with roles he has masterfully portrayed in the past. In the film, The Penguin, head of the Red Triangle Gang and primary instigator of much of Gotham’s criminal activity, displays a rhythm similar to Farrell’s portrayal. Although not yet at the pinnacle of power, he is certainly moving in that direction. Interestingly, he also exerts significant influence over most illicit activities within the city.
The portrayal of Don Vito Corleone demonstrates that Brando could effortlessly embody the key qualities needed for a crime boss like Oswald, and even though some may argue that The Godfather was a distant memory, Brando had already played a character with similar traits in The Freshman, just two years before the release of Batman Returns. To add to this, Brando wasn’t a stranger to the world of superheroes, having taken on the role of Jor-El in Superman. Lastly, it’s worth mentioning that Keaton admired the actor greatly. Similar to Coppola, he considered Brando a genius, which suggests they would have shared an exceptional working relationship and potentially produced something extraordinary together.
It’s a shame it didn’t happen, but there’s certainly nothing wrong with what we got instead.
Batman Returns
is available to stream in the US on Max
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2024-10-06 23:31