Colin Farrell, known for his captivating performance as the imposing Penguin in ‘THE BATMAN,’ recently delved into the intricate details of his transformation for the upcoming spin-off series, ‘THE PENGUIN.’ In an interview with ‘People,’ Farrell shed light on the meticulous makeup and the surprisingly unconventional aspects of his character’s design.
The actor revealed that the body suit he wore to embody the Penguin’s bulk covered him from wrist to ankle, leaving only his hands and feet exposed. Everything else, including his ears, was fabricated. It was a full-body transformation that involved a three-hour daily process before filming, crafted by the skilled makeup artist Mike Marino, who collaborated with Farrell on ‘THE BATMAN.’
Speaking about the meticulous detail that went into crafting the Penguin’s physique, Farrell highlighted a particularly memorable element. Marino, known for his creative ingenuity, decided to add a rather unexpected detail to the Penguin’s anatomy. “Mike is a very twisted genius and said, ‘I made you a penguin penis,'” Farrell shared, recounting the conversation. “I said, ‘Really? I don’t know if I want to walk around set with a penguin penis because it’s probably not going to be seen.’ And he said, ‘Don’t worry, it’s detachable, it’s on a magic tape and it comes with a little beak.’ So, I had a penguin penis.”
Beyond the unconventional, Farrell also discussed the dedication to realism that went into crafting the Penguin’s physicality. Marino constructed the body suit from multiple pieces, ensuring the body parts were meticulously sculpted with every detail, from warts and small pimples to fine wrinkles and tiny scars. Despite his face being covered by a mask, Farrell managed to convey a range of emotions, thanks to Marino’s exceptional design. “Without Mike’s design, it would’ve just been me smoking a cigarette, with a silk hat, dragging my feet, and shooting a gun out of an umbrella, and we would have a very different show,” Farrell asserted.
‘THE PENGUIN’ promises to delve into the intricate world of Gotham City’s criminal underworld. It will follow the rise of Oz Cobblepot (Farrell) as he navigates the city’s treacherous power dynamics. The series also features a stellar cast, including Kristen Wiig, Clancy Brown, Rhenzy Feliz, Michael Zegen, Michael Kelly, and Shohreh Aghdashloo, promising an enthralling journey into the heart of Gotham’s criminal network.
