Colin Farrell’s transformation as the Penguin in Batman has redefined the classic villain for a new generation, taking on layers of prosthetics, long makeup sessions, and grueling filming hours. Sharing tales from behind the scenes, both Farrell and Danny DeVito, who each portrayed Oswald Cobblepot in very different eras and visions, offer deep insight into what it takes to become Gotham’s notorious antagonist and how this experience has shaped their crafts and on-set lives.
Two Eras of the Penguin: Farrell and DeVito’s Unique Takes
Danny DeVito’s Oswald Cobblepot in Tim Burton’s 1992 Batman Returns set a Grand Guignol tone, featuring over-the-top villainy and dramatic design, while Colin Farrell’s portrayal, as Oz Cobb in Matt Reeves’ 2022 film The Batman and the recent series The Penguin, approaches the character through a noir-inspired, grounded, and gritty lens. DeVito hasn’t played the role in years, but remains intimately familiar with embracing difficult, radically transformed characters, as he proves in his ongoing tenure on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Farrell, drawn to the Penguin partly because of DeVito’s performance, crafted his Oz into a fiercely ambitious, emotionally turbulent gangster.
The two actors reflected on their first meeting at DeVito’s house when Farrell was in his early twenties. Their camaraderie set the stage for an honest discussion about the demanding path required for such ambitious character work.
The Painstaking Process Behind the Penguin’s Appearance
Both actors underwent transformative makeup routines. Farrell recalled that his first full test was conducted on the Warner Bros. lot about half a year before filming began, requiring around seven to eight hours. Over time, a devoted team of up to fifteen managed to streamline the process, eventually whittling it down to about three hours in the morning. For DeVito’s original Penguin, the journey was similar: initial makeup jobs could last five to six hours, but experience and efficiency brought it down to about three and a half hours daily.
During their exchanges, both actors emphasized the routine nature of the makeup ordeal, noting coffee, music, and even pajamas as mundane forms of comfort. The process involved patience and a fair share of discomfort—Farrell noted his skin would break out, limiting consecutive shooting days.
The comparison between DeVito and Farrell’s rituals highlights how the technology may progress, but the devotion and perseverance required remain largely unchanged for physically demanding characters like the Penguin.
On-Set Life: Challenges and Rituals
Farrell described filming stretches that could last sixteen to eighteen hours over three days weekly, a schedule that left his skin battered but gave him rare windows to review lines, prepare, and catch up with cast and crew. DeVito, meanwhile, balanced his time in the makeup chair with more light-hearted pursuits—he reminisced about making pasta and meatballs on set, improv moments, and moments of levity with colleagues.
Their commitment extended well beyond their makeup transformation, as both actors immersed themselves completely into the Penguin’s world, interacting with other actors and live animals. DeVito visited the San Diego Zoo to research penguin behavior, integrating these observations into his performance. This attention to authenticity added credibility to their portrayals.
Camaraderie and Recollections: Interplay With Cast and Crew
The discussion between the two performers extended to fellow castmates. Farrell recounted working alongside Zoë Kravitz, who played Catwoman, mentioning the fleeting but memorable scenes they shared. DeVito fondly remembered Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman in the 1992 film, noting her “goddess-like” presence and his own efforts to impress during shared scenes.
Give me another pound of makeup.
—Danny DeVito, Actor
Farrell described his relationship with his on-screen mother, played by Deirdre O’Connell, emphasizing the emotional and, at times, toxic dynamic underlying their scenes together. Scenes with Farrell as a rejected “mama’s boy” provided both humor and depth to the series.
What It Means to Play the Penguin
DeVito and Farrell delved into the psychological toll and the creative freedom of playing such a morally unfettered antagonist. Both found liberation in channeling darker energies in a controlled cinematic space, but also noted a need for boundaries—DeVito made a point to leave Oswald’s intensity on set and return home to Rhea Perlman and his children. Farrell recognized the challenge of carrying such an unpleasant character, acknowledging that by the end of filming, he felt buried not just under prosthetics but also by the harshness required for the part.
They discussed how each version of the Penguin was tailored by its creator: Burton imbued DeVito’s Oswald with a Shakespearean and operatic grandeur, while Reeves’s vision, through Farrell, was defined by gangster ambition and ruthless pragmatism.
Aspirations and Reflections: The Penguin’s Worldview
According to Farrell, his Oz Cobb viewed Batman, played in the 2022 film by Robert Pattinson, not only as a rival but also as an aspirational figure. In Reeves’s Gotham, Batman was still establishing himself, and Oz’s dreams were shaped as much by envy as admiration for this masked vigilante. DeVito, in contrast, portrayed Cobblepot’s singular quest for power—his Penguin’s world revolved around domination, wealth, and the desire to rule his underground realm.
Their dialogue reveals subtle thematic shifts between eras. Farrell’s Penguin yearns for a place within Gotham’s power structure, while DeVito’s version relishes the poetic misery of his subterranean empire.
Personal Moments and Sobriety
Amid anecdotes about grueling set life, DeVito and Farrell reflected on their personal well-being and approaches to health. Farrell shared memories of working on In Bruges during his sobriety, confronting challenges in an environment surrounded by temptation.
Ooh, shouldn’t have come here. Should have come here a year and a half ago.
—Colin Farrell, Actor
They also touched on relaxation, self-care, and life outside of acting. Farrell mentioned activities like running, sauna, and reading to decompress, while DeVito preferred the enjoyment of an occasional martini, cigars, and leisure-time routines. Both actors recognized the necessity of boundaries for mental and physical health, particularly when digging deep into harrowing roles like the Penguin.
The Lasting Impact of Two Penguins on Gotham’s Mythos
The divergent approaches of DeVito and Farrell have helped solidify the Penguin’s place as one of Gotham’s most complex and memorable villains. For DeVito, playing Oswald Cobblepot was a chance for operatic grandeur and theatrical darkness; for Farrell, it became an exercise in transformation, both physically and emotionally, embodying the Penguin as a hardened and ambitious gangster who could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Batman.
Looking ahead, both actors expressed a willingness to revisit the Penguin, should the opportunity arise, showing respect for each other’s interpretations and acknowledging the role’s significance within the landscape of comic book cinema. Their ongoing work, collaborations, and fond reflections underscore not only their shared history but also the enduring allure of villains who, through great effort and personal sacrifice, become icons of the screen.
