Colin Farrell has offered a tantalizing glimpse into his reprisal of the Penguin role in the upcoming “The Batman 2,” hinting that the sequel will be “deeper” and “scarier” than its predecessor.
Speaking at the Zurich Film Festival, Farrell confirmed his return as the iconic villain for Matt Reeves’ much-anticipated “The Batman 2,” though he noted his role would be somewhat smaller.
Farrell’s portrayal of the Penguin in 2022’s “The Batman,” starring Robert Pattinson as the Caped Crusader, was a standout. Despite limited screen time, his scenes, including an unforgettable car chase, left a lasting impression. (A video discussing what ‘The Batman’ got right that ‘The Dark Knight’ didn’t was previously featured here.)
Following his acclaimed performance in the hit HBO series ‘The Penguin,’ Farrell is set to bring the character back to the big screen in “The Batman 2,” slated for an October 1, 2027, release. As expected, he remained tight-lipped about specifics but emphasized that the sequel would be “deeper,” “scarier,” and feature “bigger stakes.”
“My role in this one is actually even smaller, but I’m perfectly fine with that,” he revealed. “I’ve read the entire script, from start to finish, and while I can’t spill too many details, I can tell you it’s deeper, scarier, and the stakes are significantly higher. I’m genuinely thrilled to see how it all comes together.”
Interestingly, the Penguin won’t be the primary antagonist in “The Batman 2.” Director Matt Reeves has hinted at a new villain, stating, “it’s never really been done in a movie before.”
In a recent interview, Reeves elaborated on the creative process for the new villain. He explained that he and his writing partner, Mattson Tomlin, delved deep into Batman comics, combining their ideas to craft a unique antagonist. (This discussion was part of a broader overview of the DC Universe’s upcoming movies and TV shows.)
Reeves continued, mentioning they drew inspiration from a wide array of films, not just those set in Gotham, to explore the narrative’s direction. He felt the first film’s ending, coupled with events in ‘The Penguin’ series, set the stage for deeper exploration. A key focus for him was to delve further into Bruce Wayne’s character, as the first movie heavily emphasized Batman.
He expressed a long-term vision: “If we’re fortunate enough to make a third film – and I genuinely have no idea yet – I’ve always wanted these movies to center around Bruce Wayne’s character. Once you move beyond the origin story, which we touched upon rather than fully retold, you naturally progress to the rogues’ gallery and the character’s personal journey. My aim has always been to keep Robert Pattinson’s portrayal of Bruce at the heart of these narratives.” (An image accompanied the article, showing Colin Farrell, who will reprise his role as Penguin in “The Batman 2.”)
“Ultimately, the discussion was driven by finding a villain that truly connects with Bruce’s past and personal life. I can’t reveal who we ultimately chose, but we are incredibly excited about it. And, I can confidently say, this particular villain approach has never been seen in a Batman film before.”
Shifting gears, Reeves also addressed the potential for a second season of ‘The Penguin’ series. “We’re currently in active discussions,” he shared, acknowledging that showrunner Lauren Lefranc is deeply engaged in the creative process. “We absolutely adore the show and believe our cast is phenomenal. The effort put in by Lauren and the writing team was extraordinary, and while we poured our passion into it, we never anticipated such an overwhelmingly positive reception.”
“The Batman 2” is set to begin filming early next year, with its release scheduled approximately five and a half years after the original “The Batman.”