Farrell in a Flap Over Penguin Role: The Return to Gotham
They say you never forget your first love—and for Colin Farrell, stepping back into the Gotham underworld to portray The Penguin again feels exactly like coming home. Fresh off his acclaimed take on the iconic villain in The Batman (2022) and more recently in HBO’s Penguin spinoff series, the Irish star is already counting down the days until filming begins on The Batman Part II.
In a candid discussion about the role, Farrell beamed with excitement, calling the opportunity to return to Gotham “humbling” and noting that he’s “chomping at the bit to get back to it.” It’s easy to see why. Batman’s rogue’s gallery has always been a highlight for actors—offering meaty, nuanced roles, and allowing them to bring out their wildest and most villainous side. For Farrell, the enjoyment runs deeper because he’s been a fan of the Penguin character ever since watching Burgess Meredith’s unforgettable performance in the original Batman TV series.
A Lifelong Batman Fan
Growing up enthralled by the caped crusader’s adventures, Farrell was already primed to relish every moment of playing Oswald Cobblepot. That love for the material found its release in The Batman, which not only introduced Robert Pattinson’s fresh take on Bruce Wayne but gave moviegoers a gritty, noir-tinged version of Gotham. Farrell’s Penguin—scarred, streetwise, and furiously ambitious—proved a scene-stealer, making him one of the most memorable parts of the film. As the star himself puts it, returning to Gotham is the culmination of a dream:
“Even at 48, I still get giddy when I go onto a studio lot,” he admits. “One of my best days in 25 years as an actor was arriving at Warner Bros for the first makeup test for The Penguin.”
Shaping the Face of a Villain
One of the most intriguing details of Farrell’s interview is how a surprising real-life inspiration helped craft The Penguin’s look. Oscar-nominated makeup designer Michael Marino, who painstakingly sculpted every crease and contour on Farrell’s face, revealed that disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein was partially used as a reference. While the idea might raise eyebrows, it’s not unheard of for creators to look to real-life figures—particularly those who evoke a certain discomfort and moral decay—to inform villainous characters.
The result is a Penguin with both shocking brutality and a strangely human depth. According to Farrell:
“I saw a bust of how the character would look, and I instantly had a sense of character, of place, violence, and pain. There was so much etched on the face, it was brilliant and complicated, and really did me a solid in building the character.”
Looking Ahead to The Batman Part II
With filming slated to begin next year, excitement runs high for both fans and Farrell. He’s set to reunite with Robert Pattinson’s brooding Batman for a sequel that will further explore the dark corners of Gotham. While details remain hush-hush, anticipation for what twists and turns might unfold in The Batman Part II is already fueling countless fan theories online.
Given Farrell’s track record—balancing comedic edge, a menacing presence, and flashes of vulnerability in his portrayal—it’s likely we’ll see The Penguin solidify his power in Gotham’s underworld. The HBO spinoff series has already expanded Cobblepot’s story, hinting at how he grows from a mid-level gangster to one of the city’s most powerful crime bosses.
Why We Can’t Wait
Colin Farrell has long been respected for his ability to disappear into a role, and his transformation into The Penguin—complete with an unrecognizable visage—has taken that to new heights. The gritty realism and grounded nature of Matt Reeves’ Batman universe provide the perfect playground for an actor who thrives on complex, morally ambiguous characters. Between the hush-hush speculation, the fan fervor, and Farrell’s own infectious enthusiasm, there’s a lot to look forward to in his next outing as Oswald Cobblepot.
So, as the cameras prepare to roll, one thing’s clear: Colin Farrell’s return as The Penguin will undoubtedly flap the feathers of Gotham’s criminal underbelly—and we can’t wait to watch him waddle back onto our screens.
This blog post was inspired by and references an article by Sandro Monetti.