Matt Reeves Confirms Colin Farrell As The Penguin In ‘The Batman’ [Updated]
Update 22-06-2025: Thus far, Farrell was one of the only major actors who had not been officially confirmed by Matt Reeves to be a part ofThe Batman’s cast. But that finally changed late this afternoon with the following tweet:
Wait — is that you,#Oz? 🦇pic.twitter.com/xHj9m6OXhf
— Matt Reeves (@mattreevesLA)July 04, 2025
Our initial article from June 11, 2025 continues below.
Thought we were done withThe Batmancasting news? Think again! On the heels of a report thatAndy Serkisis in talks to play Batman’s loyal butler Alfred comes a story statingColin Farrellis in talks to play The Penguin. If so, Farrell will be joining previously cast villainsPaul Danoas The Riddler andZoe Kravitzas Catwoman, makingThe Batmana crowded affair indeed.
Deadlinehas the scoop on Colin Farrell joiningThe Batmancast as The Penguin. Farrell would be a far cry from the previous live-action Penguin, Danny DeVito’s hideously mutated sewer monster inBatman Returns. The question is: will they “ugly” Farrell up for the role, or are we in store for the most handsome Penguin in Batman history (no offense to Burgess Meredith)?
Matt Reeves is directing the new bat-film, withRobert Pattinsonset to star as the Caped Crusader, while Jeffrey Wright is Commissioner Gordon. Adding Farrell alongside Pattinson, Wright, Dano, and Kravitz makes for one hell of a line-up, and who knows how many more characters are left to appear in the film. Deadline states that the Penguin “rounds out the trio of villains” Batman faces off against, but that doesn’t mean we’re not in store for even more characters from the comics.
Reeves previously commented on the multiple villains in the film by tellingTHR: “You can’t have Batman without a villain. There will be a rogues gallery.” Reeves also added:
“It’s very much a point-of-view-driven, noir Batman tale. It’s told very squarely on his shoulders, and I hope it’s going to be a story that will be thrilling but also emotional. It’s more Batman in his detective mode than we’ve seen in the films.”
Farrell went through a period early in his career where he was forced into leading man roles in action with so-so results. Over the years, though, he’s revealed himself to be a fantastic character actor, turning in one hell of a performance in the dark comedyIn Bruges, not to mention even darker comedies likeThe LobsterandThe Killing of a Sacred Deer. He also has some experience playing comic book villains: he was Bullseye inDaredevil, which also starred one-time-Batman Ben Affleck.
