Danny DeVito talks Colin Farrell as the Penguin – and says he's open to returning as the villain

Danny DeVito as the Penguin in Batman Returns
(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

Danny DeVito has said he approves of Colin Farrell as The Penguin – and said he'd like to return as the character.

"I love Colin Farrell. He's one of my favorite actors. I can't wait!" DeVito told Forbes. An unrecognizable Farrell will play the role in Matt Reeves' The Batman, which is due out next year. DeVito, meanwhile, played Penguin in Tim Burton's Batman Returns, released in 1992.

As for whether his incarnation of Oswald Cobblepot could return, DeVito was optimistic. "I feel like it's not out of the question that The Penguin will return someday, but this is all up to Tim, whether or not Tim wants to do this," he said. "I would say that could be in the cards because we ain't dead yet [laughs]. We could do a continuation of what we had in the past because that was truly a brilliant movie. They afforded me that opportunity and I feel very grateful and would I like to revisit it? Why not! It was a really great moment in time for me."

Penguin is also reportedly getting his own spin-off series for HBO Max, so expect to see a lot more of him if that makes it to screen – especially considering it doesn't sound like he's in The Batman very much.

"I'm only in it for five or six scenes, so I can't wait to see the film because it won't be ruined by my presence," Farrell has said. "Really, it's a freebie for me. I'll get a little bit uncomfortable for the fucking nine minutes I have, and then the rest of it, I cannot wait to see how he [Matt Reeves, director] brought this world to life, because the sets were extraordinary, the production design [was] extraordinary, his use of music and sound will be extraordinary, and as you said the cast, from, all of them, Robert [Pattinson] and Zoë [Kravitz] to – yeah, extraordinary cast."

The Batman arrives March 4, 2022. In the meantime, check out our guide to watching DC movies in order to get up to speed on the DCEU.

Molly Edwards
Senior Entertainment Writer

I'm a Senior Entertainment Writer here at 12DOVE, covering all things film and TV for the site's Total Film and SFX sections. I previously worked on the Disney magazines team at Immediate Media, and also wrote on the CBeebies, MEGA!, and Star Wars Galaxy titles after graduating with a BA in English. 

Read more
The Penguin
Colin Farrell says he is "open to" doing The Penguin season 2, but has "no deep desire" to return
Colin Farrell wins Golden Globe for The Penguin
The Penguin star Colin Farrell pays tribute to Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix's "extraordinary" comic book performances after winning Golden Globe
The Penguin episode 8 (2024)
The Penguin season 2 looks promising, as Matt Reeves reveals he's talking to the showrunner about continuing the DC show
Andy Serkis in The Batman
Andy Serkis knows the story of The Batman 2 and he's "hungry" for the movie
The Batman
The Batman 2 director teases "completely different" sequel, as he promises the movie's main villain will surprise DC fans
Robert Pattinson in The Batman
Matt Reeves explains why The Batman 2 is delayed to 2027, but says they still want to film this year
Latest in Superhero Movies
Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield in Stranger Things 4
Stranger Things star Sadie Sink joins Spider-Man 4 and fans are already theorizing she might be X-Men’s Jean Grey
The cast of Thunderbolts
Marvel fans are revealing who they'd like to see added to the Thunderbolts lineup, from Moon Knight to a major Hulk villain
Batman and Catwoman talking
Robert Pattinson is hoping to team up with his The Batman co-star Zoe Kravitz on another project soon
The cast of Thunderbolts
Thunderbolts director says the new Marvel movie is inspired by Toy Story 3: "Can they get out of the trash can together?"
Robert Downey Jr announces his Doctor Doom casting at San Diego Comic-Con 2024
"He is so dialed in": Robert Downey Jr. is coming up with backstory and costume ideas for Doctor Doom ahead of Avengers: Doomsday
Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne in The Batman
Robert Pattinson worries he will be a "f*cking old Batman" by the time filming on The Batman 2 finally starts
Latest in News
harry holding a molotov as kim stands by, hands in pockets - he's so cool
After a landmark RPG, Disco Elysium mobile wants to "captivate the TikTok user," which is maybe the worst thing I've ever read in my entire life
Screenshot from PowerWash Simulator 2, showing two jet washers spraying one dirty wooden house.
After 3 years and 44,327 overwhelmingly positive Steam reviews, viral hit PowerWash Simulator is finally getting a sequel complete with split-screen co-op
Nintendo Store NYC
After 20 years, a second Nintendo Store is set to open in the US this May
Vincent D'Onofrio as Wilson Fisk in Daredevil: Born Again
Daredevil: Born Again fans would love this Marvel character to appear, even if it's extremely unlikely
an rpg character fishing with a fishing rod sword
Dev of unhinged open-world game where you parry everything says "f*** it" again, adds something farming life sims like Stardew Valley need: a way to fight the fish you catch
Seldeg against the backdrop of the Pathfinder 2E Claws of the Tyrant adventure book cover
Pathfinder 2E RPG: Claws of the Tyrant Adventure is available to preorder at a discount