Colin Farrell in talks to play The Batman's handsome new Penguin, with Andy Serkis as Alfred
Aux Features Film
According to Deadline, Colin Farrell is in talks to join the cast of Matt Reeves’ The Batman as stocky, bird-like nightclub owner/organized crime boss Oswald Cobblepot—a.k.a. The Penguin. This would be, let’s say, a divergence from traditional depictions of The Penguin, the most famous of which is Danny DeVito’s fish-eating, sewer-dwelling maniac from Batman Returns, so this might be something more akin to Robin Lord Taylor’s version from the show Gotham. In terms of Batman villains, Farrell will be joining Paul Dano’s Riddler and Zoe Kravitz’s Catwoman in The Batman, with the three of them (or at least two of them, given Catwoman’s history with the Dark Knight) facing off against Robert Pattinson’s Batman.
In other The Batman news, The Hollywood Reporter says that Andy Serkis (who worked with Reeves on two of the recent Planet Of The Apes movies) will be joining the film as Batman’s loyal butler Alfred Pennyworth. He probably won’t be some kind of CG creation, as Serkis does occasionally play regular human characters, but making Alfred into some kind of Snoke-like digital-man would be an interesting take—this is the same movie that’s getting a handsome, Irish Penguin, after all. On the side of the angels, Serkis Alfred will be joining Jeffrey Wright’s Commissioner Gordon.
76 Comments
Just a head’s up for anyone interested and not aware: Today’s “Hang Up and Listen” podcast over at Slate is entitled “What Happened to Deadspin, According to the People Who Were There”; the hosts interview Megan Greenwell (“who edited the site for 18 months before resigning this summer and is now editor of Wired.com”) Barry Petchesky (“who joined Deadspin in 2009 and was the longest-serving staffer when he was fired last Wednesday”) and Tom Ley (“who wrote and edited for the site for seven years, and was among the 20 or so staffers who resigned last week”). You can listen to the interview (at the very bottom of the page) and/or read a transcript of it here:https://slate.com/business/2019/11/deadspin-roundtable-barry-petchesky-megan-greenwell-tom-ley.html
And a hearty “fuck you” to you, too, random asshat!
We know it’s you, Spanfeller. Can’t mask that putrid stench.
Smells…herbaceous.
Smells like rotting herbs.
That’s your mom’s pussy on your upper lip.
I’m slightly worried about going with so many classic characters here, but it also might be that Reeves is playing more the long game here. He has spoken about it being a trilogy before and this could be setting out those pieces. Although I also find it difficult to believe that in the case of a trilogy that it wouldn’t build for the final film be about someone like Joker or Bane.
Also, have to be honest, Farrell would be a really intriguing choice for the Penguin. It would be such a different take, but I would love to see what he would do with the character.
I thought someone posted here a rumour that it was a bit of noir detective work, which would work with multiple characters. But that could very well be a rumour. (also yes, I know fantastic beasts is mediocre, but Farrells character was terrifying until they scooby doo’d him at the end)
The rumor is Penguin and Riddler are competing crime bosses. Firefly is an enforcer for one of them. Catwoman gets mixed up in it somehow. And Batman is in full detective mode trying to figure out exactly what is going on. More like Jack Nicholson in Chinatown than Christian Bale or Michael Keaton’s versions.
I always thought that if I were doing a Batman movie series, I’d start with Batman taking on the mob, augmented by a classic villain (Riddler is actually who I had in mind), and end the film with organised crime in Gotham in shambles. The final scene would be a goon telling his boss that it’s the perfect time to sweep up the pieces and become the new criminal kingpin of the city. The camera swings around to reveal the boss is a short guy in a tux with an umbrella.
I’m slightly worried about going with so many classic characters here,
but it also might be that Reeves is playing more the long game here.Batman comic book stories often involve multiple villains, as did Nolan’s films, so it should work. I think the press still refers to the 1990s Batman films that involved villain (well, movie star) team-ups instead of an actual plot as a knock against multiple villains. If they serve the story it should be awesome.
I think you replied to the wrong person here…
And then pans further out to reveal— THE CONDIMENT KING!
Minor characters in the first film could end up being major characters in subsequent films. In a near-certain hit like a BATMAN movie, you may as well just invest in good actors now and then call them up down the road when you need them again.Also, I’m a little amused that people think Farrell is too handsome to play the Penguin. This guy has a lot of movies where he’s leaning into unflattering and straight-up unlikeable characters. Does anyone really think he’s going to play the Penguin like James Bond?
Or the reverse, like how in the Nolan films Scarecrow is a minor character. Which i wasn’t complaining about, any chance to get more Cillian Murphy is a good call.
In the eventual sequel to this new reboot, I propose they bring back that dastardly villain, THE SCARECROW!
What’s interesting is this could be the first time we see a live-action Penguin use an accent. The Arkham series Penguin is the only one I can think of offhand that paid attention to that part of the character’s history.
Cockney Penguin is the best.
Can I point out that Farrell playing Marvel Villain ‘Bullseye ‘ was the only remotely good thing to come out of Daredevil, so he has form.
The scene in the airplane, where Bullseye kills his seat mate with a peanut, is the best part of the entire movie. Farrell was also the best part of Fantastic Beasts in my opinion. I felt disappointed when that character changed to Depp, not because I dislike Depp, but because Farrell was so good the change felt unnecessary.
I never really rated Farrell until I saw him in ‘The Lobster’. It’s one of the most effectively restrained performances I’ve ever seen on film.
Farrell is great the same director’s Killing of a Sacred Deer.
If they have that director do the next Batman movie, THEN I’ll be interested.
He’s awesome in “In Bruges” too
Farrell has always been elevating whatever movie he’s in – I think he just got too much early-career “It Guy!” buzz without equivalent, major hits to hang his reputation on. Now people either think he’s a light-weight, or a has-been (or both).
Honestly 80% of the reason that I have a soft spot for the weird 2008 Miami Vice movie is that Farrell clearly made a decision to neither ape Don Johnson’s mannerisms nor condescend to the (frankly kinda silly) material.
really? it sort of seems like perception of him is shifting from ‘that guy who’s funny in In Bruges’ to ‘actor who’s working with some of the most interesting filmmakers around and really pushing himself out of his box’, at least where I’m sitting. The Lobster was where it seemed to start changing for the better
The audience in the theater I was in audibly sighed in disappointed when his character turned into Johnny Depp in that Fantastic Beasts movie.
Seriously, he was a great choice for Bullseye. I’ve been waiting for him to get another shot at playing a villain.
I’d go so far as to say I still prefer his Bullseye over the one Netflix brought in for DD season 3. Benjamin Poindexter disappointingly used a gun for most of it.
Yeah, good. Let’s shift from “in talks” to getting this into “officially cast” territory.
Apparently Ana De Armas was tested for the Catwoman role. I think about that a lot.
Ana de Armas is amazing. But hey, now she’s free to be cast as Poison Ivy, or Talia al Ghul.
Yeah whatever, still bet you he turns into Depp at the end.
Fool me once!
The only real question is will he have a costume?
No it’ll be all naked.
laughed too hard at dis.
I reckon he’s got a good look for Two-Face, dunno about Penguin.
Would have pegged him for Harvey Dent as well. One of Penguin’s whole things is people make fun of him. Who would make fun of Colin Farrell?
Personally I would have preferred Patton Oswalt
Yep you could say that about every character in every movie.
I like the new interpretation of Penguin, pioneered by Robin Lord Taylor, that emphasizes the signature trait of the villain is that he tries to hide his moral, psychological and physical flaws under a polished veneer. The implication was always there in the name, the canonical portliness is actually not important and actually distracts from Penguin’s main motivation — hiding his venality, crudeness and rot under the trappings of a sophisticated gentleman. In some ways it makes him a better counterpart to Bruce Wayne: both men present a surface facade.
If only Robin Lord Taylor and Gotham’s version of The Riddler, Ras Al Ghul, Catwoman, etc, was more “bankable” in a major studio’s eye to cast in this. That show’s interpretation of Penguin, Riddler, and etc was the best and most accurate we’ve gotten onscreen.
The way you describe him he kinda reminds me of V.M. Varga from season 3 of the “Fargo” tv show
Gotham’s take on Penguin was a bit more pathetic, needy, and insecure, than VM Varga, who I felt was kinda gross, but really had it together, and was a brilliant tactician.
Maybe Penguin will turn into Varga in like twenty or thirty years after he’s lived through some more hell, maybe No Man’s Land, and gotten a bit more jaded and together and shed his last vestiges of wanting to be liked/respected that Penguin still has.
The way you describe him he kinda reminds me of V.M. Varga from season 3 of the “Fargo” tv show
This Penguin FUCKS!
+1 Very funny, but the idea of Penguin as a pleasure glutton — for something beside food — again creates a greater contrast with Bruce Wayne/Batman, who denies himself pleasure. Penguin, other than his look, has never had a strong reason for being. Joker is chaos to Batman’s order, Riddler matches wits, Bane matches strength, Two Face expresses a similar duality, Catwoman attracts him and appeals to his id, R’as Al Ghul is his equal in dedication and core integrity. Now the Penguin represents the desire for all Bruce has, the wealth, sophistication and attractiveness, but with a depraved core.
I’ve been watching a few episodes of ‘Gotham’, and it’s mostly awful, but Lord Taylor’s Penguin is great. I love how he needs just the smallest motivation for his viciousness to come out.
I’ve just finished watching Gotham through, and yeah, it runs to awful at times… but there are also flashes of brilliance that, for me at least, make up for it. Nearly all of the central villains are excellent, feeling somehow both traditional and fresh, foremost among them Penguin and Riddler.
Not sure I would have been able to picture this prior to Widows, but now I can totally see him as Penguin. Serkis as Alfred is fine, but can they motion capture him a combover and pencil mustache so he looks like the version from Batman The Animated Series (and also basically every modern comic design of the character)?
Alfred as an aged, twisted, river halfling would be an inspired take
“My preciousssss…”“Alfred, I’ve asked you to stop calling me that. ‘Bruce’ is fine.”
To save money they’re just going to reuse all the CGI files from the PLANET OF THE APES movies and have Alfred be a talking chimpanzee.
He can date Helena Bonham Carter’s ape lady then.
To save money they’re just going to reuse all the CGI files from the PLANET OF THE APES movies and have Alfred be a talking chimpanzee.Better yet, he can partner with Bats and be the world’s second greatest detective:
I don’t see why Alfred can’t be young and hunky like on Pennyworth. Really, they should make a movie where he and Bruce are as close as brothers.
Bullseye & Ulyssess Klaw? I’m game. Funny enough a lot of fans wanted Serkis as a mentally unhinged Penguin. Colin is a highly capable actor. I trust Matt Reeves
This is the Batman movie we neither need nor deserve.
But on the plus side, no Affleck.
Penguin is the best Batman villain, according to my calculations. Although I am not sure this is the best chap for the job. We shall see.
Can we just not with Batman for a while? I’m just so Batman-ed out. Just no Batman for like 7-8 years, please.
Just no. Penguin is supposed to be a short guy, not a tall handsome guy.
nah, Phoenix is a regular hottie and he was far from that in the Joker. Farrell’s an amazing actor, have some faith.
Yesss, loving this cast! Though if they wanted the more traditional plus sized Penguin then going with Jesse Plemons would have been my choice. Colin Farrell is awesome though.
Wouldn’t call DeVito’s take “traditional” as I don’t think having the Penguin be a sewer-dwelling mutant was precedented at that point. Most famous traditional take would probably go back to Burgess Meredith. Anyway, I’m excited about this, despite potential for villain overflow.
I trust Reeves a thousand percent but this seems off. But who knows? I’ve seen the weirdest shit work out. Ledger’s Joker for instance. I still hope it’s still in line with how we expect Penguin somehow. Farrell is a great actor at times and pretty damn good at worst.
Put him in a purple top hat and give him an absurd cigarette holder, and I’m interested.
Not that I’m particularly down on all this casting news (Colin Farrell is almost never rubbish), but it does feel a bit like Matt Reeves has just been picking names out of a hat. “Aaaand Harvey Dent will be played by…Ice Cube. Sure, why not.”
I’d pay to watch that, just saying…….
‘In Bruges’ was Farrell’s best performance.
A 55-year-old is going to play the butler of a 33-year old.How old was he entering the parents’ service? 10?