Colin Farrell exchanged a few messages with Danny DeVito over who takes the title of the best Penguin, in reference to Farrell's upcoming role revival.
The role is a modern adaptation of DC Comics' notorious villain The Penguin, a character that has been portrayed by various actors throughout the years, with Danny DeVito's portrayal in Tim Burton's 1992 film "Batman Returns" probably being the most iconic.
Before diving back into the role, Farrell revealed that he reached out to DeVito, his co-star in 2019's "Dumbo" also directed by Burton. They exchanged a few messages, mostly Bantering about who was the best Penguin. (The two have a history of joking around.)
"The Penguin" offers a raw, gritty glimpse into Gotham City's criminal underworld as depicted in Matt Reeves' "The Batman," with Farrell's morally bankrupt villain taking center stage.
Although he admitted to watching DeVito as The Penguin and being a fan of Burgess Meredith in the 1960s "Batman" TV show, Farrell claimed that his interpretation of the character was influenced by more serious and less comical sources, such as Dustin Hoffman's Ratso Rizzo in "Midnight Cowboy," Robert De Niro as Al Capone in "The Untouchables" and "The Sopranos'" James Gandolfini.
"They're all in there," Farrell said. "I've watched 'The Untouchables' twice, 'Midnight Cowboy' four times. As an actor, anything you ever see, any piece of music you ever hear, it all gets used in some way in every character you play."
The darkness of the character proved to be quite a challenge.
"By the end of it, I was in a bad mood because it's so dark and he's such a heartless, cruel character," Farrell observed. "I was in a bit of a funk by the end. I was happy to be done."
And how did he escape that mindset after filming?
"I watched Pixar movies," he shared. "I'd go back to my hotel room and put on 'Finding Nemo.' Honestly, I had to watch something light."
"The Penguin" airs Thursday on Max, which, like CNN, is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery.
Farrell mentioned that he enjoyed watching Burgess Meredith's portrayal of The Penguin in the 1960s "Batman" TV show as a fan, but his interpretation was largely influenced by more serious and less comical sources. To escape the dark mindset after filming, Farrell turned to lighter entertainment by watching Pixar movies, such as "Finding Nemo."
