Colin Farrell gushes about Matt Reeves, promises his involvement in The Penguin series
Farrell calls playing The Batman baddie "a joy," says he'd like to be in the sequel
Aux News Colin Farrell
The role of the Joker has long been mythologized to torment actors, placing them in their darkest headspace and leaving a stain on their very souls. The role of the Penguin, on the other hand, sounds like a rollicking good time.
“Oh my god, you kidding me?!” Penguin portrayer Colin Farrell exclaimed when Entertainment Tonight asked whether he’d participate in The Batman sequel. “It’s so much fun, are you joking [with] me? I’ve been around the block man. That was an easy sport, I mean … it was a joy.”
This particular Batman (as opposed to the other one) will indeed be coming back for a second film, so Farrell’s chances are high. But in that case, he’d most likely be relegated once again to a second-string baddie, since the first film teased yet another dark and twisted Joker (played by Barry Keoghan). Batman boss Matt Reeves claimed he has “no idea when or if we would return to that character in the movies,” but it seems pretty unlikely they’d set up something that big just to leave it on the shelf.
Still, even if Farrell’s Penguin doesn’t get his Big Bad moment on the big screen, he’s due to have his starring moment in the upcoming Penguin HBO Max series. In his interview with ET, Farrell praised Reeves, who serves as executive producer on the show. “Matt’s up to his bollocks, you know, hovering over the keyboard and just planning the story because he’s just so meticulous. He’s so obsessive about what he does, but he’s all over The Penguin as well.” He adds, “I mean, he’s not gonna direct it but he’s all over the structure of the scripts and who’s gonna direct them. And so, it’s exciting.”
Farrell offered no details about those scripts, nor can he share a date for when the spin-off will come to television (he told the outlet he hopes to start filming the project in the new year). That said, we can all rest easy knowing more good times are ahead for Oswald Cobblepot.
16 Comments
“but it seems pretty unlikely they’d leave set something that big up just to leave it on the shelf.”What? My brain hurt trying to understand that.
They fixed it for ya.
I must have been in the wrong mood or something when I watched The Batman, because I couldn’t even finish it. Is it worth a second chance? If they’re set to go all in on this continuity, I’d like to keep up as a franchise fan, but TB just felt like such a lifeless slog.
I’m a huge Batman fan generally, and I liked it a lot. I’d give it probably an 8/10. By comparison, I’d give Batman v Superman a 2/10.I think the movie is very comic-book-like, with an episodic structure, good visuals of Gotham city, strong depictions of the characters sort of just finding their footing. I went into this movie hoping it’d show off Batman’s detective side, and while I wasn’t really blown away by that aspect, I liked the overall tone they struck, and the fact that it unfolded like a detective movie. Beyond that, I had some qualms here and there, but generally I thought they really nailed the thematic stuff right at the end of the film, and it gave me some confidence that even some things that seemed like problems (e.g., Bruce Wayne being an entire non-entity) are things that are depicted the way they are because there will be an evolution to come.So ultimately, I recommend it, but your mileage may vary depending upon how much you care about the character of Batman. If you’re looking for nonstop action, you won’t really find it. But it felt like a strong enough reset after Znyder’s just horrible, horrible renditions of the character that it generated a whole lot of goodwill from me, personally.
Thanks, exactly the sell I was looking for! Yeah, I think I came in with the wrong mindset, recalling more about my headspace at the time. I was in the mood for something in between Nolan and Burton, and when this didn’t hit that very particular and arbitrary chord, I immediately amplified the movie’s faults and diminished its better qualities in my head. I also totally skipped the Snyder run, so I was directly comparing it to the high points that preceded it. (including Rises, which was a step down to be sure, but I love it for what it is)I’ll give it another go around then, this time with no preconception of what it “should” be.
I hear that. I liked Nolan’s a lot. I liked this take a lot, too. Genuinely quite excited they’re continuing it. Hope you find things to love in it like I did!
I really enjoyed it and didn’t even feel the length, but it might be the most “vibe movie” superhero thing I’ve seen in a long time. If the vibe ain’t working for you, you’re left with a pretty goddamn dumb plot that never seems to end.It also didn’t exactly douse itself in The Crow influences, but it definitely sprayed the air and walked through the mist a couple times, and I appreciated that.
Good call on the Crow influences. That particular Gotham definitely feels like the sort of place where the devil would stand abashed at the sight of awful goodness (as opposed to having a boot-scootin’ boogie lit by the moon, like other Batman-adjacent devils have been known to do).
More like a 5/10
I liked it a lot. but it’s FAR too long. The vibes/cinematography/score/design are much better than the plotting. I agree with the Blank Check podcast that it’s probably best watched as a 3 part mini series, doing an hour a night.
Interesting, because the score was a big drawback for me. A three hour movie where the only two songs in the whole world seem to be “Ave Maria” and “Something in the Way” was not what I was looking for, but different strokes for different folks.
I loved the main Baaaaa,ba-ba baaaa theme was catchy in a way far too few film scores are nowadays. My favourite Batman theme since the Elfman/Walker era.I get the Nirvana thing being divisive, but for me it captured the overwrought tone of the movie.
This is not a terrible movie, but it’s not a good movie either. C+.
It’s a big pile of meh
Movie didn’t get enough good word of mouth to make a billion dollars. A really slow burn with a really weak villain. Average movie.
With Discovery just axing Batgirl because they want to stop throwing cash at HBO Max I think the odds of any more DC exclusive HBOMax content just got a whole lot less a few hours ago.