Colin Farrell Clarifies Penguin’s Role in The Batman

Though Riddler and Catwoman may be the villains that get the most screentime in the Batman previews, one classic Batman rogue that is also going to be appearing in the film is the Penguin, played by Colin Farrell. We don’t know what exactly Penguin’s role in the series is, but Farrell clarifies how he fits into the narrative.

Talking to Empire (via CBR), Farrell has confirmed that he’s only in “five or six scenes.” He also goes on to describe his take on the character, which is more of a precursor to the Oswald Cobblepot that we’ve seen take on the Dark Knight. He says:

“Oz is not yet fully inhabiting the mythology of the Penguin and doesn’t take too kindly to the monicker… There’s no top hat… There is one scene where I have an umbrella in my hand, but it doesn’t have a trigger on the handle. He does have a limping gait, so there is somewhat of a waddle.”

Though the Penguin is one of the more recognizable Bat-villains in pop-culture, he hasn’t had a big screen role since Danny DeVito in 1992’s Batman Returns. Though he still may be slightly crippled, it feels like Farrell’s Penguin is a lot closer to Tony Soprano than DeVito’s circus reject—at least, that’s what it looks like in the trailers.

Even if Penquin is only in The Batman sparingly, word has gone out that Farrell has signed on for a spinoff series that will debut on HBO Max. I’m just crossing my fingers that this show is more the same tone as the film because we don’t need another Gotham.

Catch The Batman when it hits theaters on March 3, 2022.