Danny DeVito Reveals the Role He’d Love to Revisit: “Every Actor Wants to Be Able To Do That”
Danny DeVito has played many memorable characters during his long career, but there’s one role that still stands out for him.
He says he would love to step back into the part of Oswald Cobblepot, better known as the Penguin, from Tim Burton’s 1992 film Batman Returns.
Speaking with Parade, DeVito called the role one of his greatest experiences. “Oh, yeah! I talk to Tim [Burton] all the time about it. I think Oswald is one of the most operatic and greatest parts I’ve ever been offered to do. He’s a tragic bird who could not fly. Come on! Gimme a break! Every actor wants to be able to do that. And if there were ever a chance to do it again, I’d do it.”
His version of Penguin was dark, strange, and unforgettable, and it left a mark on superhero movies at the time. While DeVito hasn’t returned to the role since, the character has been brought back in new ways.
Most recently, Colin Farrell played Penguin in Matt Reeves’ 2022 reboot The Batman starring Robert Pattinson. Farrell’s performance was such a hit that it led to a spin-off series, The Penguin, which earned strong reviews and several awards.
DeVito has watched some of Farrell’s take and admits he was impressed. “Oh, Colin’s giving me a run for my money. And it’s totally different. I’ve been watching it. I haven’t watched the whole thing, but I watched most of what was out… and you know, it’s really good.”
He also explained how his experience with the character was very different from Farrell’s. “I understand the trauma of going through, like, hours and hours of makeup, and you’re transforming yourself. It’s different with me, because wherever I go, I’m Oswald Cobblepot, you know, people could see me. You can’t hide me. You know what I mean, that kind of thing.”
For DeVito, the contrast between the two versions is part of what makes Penguin such an interesting character. “Colin could go anywhere he wants with that makeup and go sit in a restaurant. They wouldn’t go, ‘Hey it’s Colin Farrell.’ He doesn’t look anything like what he did in The Penguin. I mean, it’s hard to hide me, even with pounds of makeup as The Penguin.” He said.
He also broke down the differences in how each actor approached the role. “But I think we both really do a substantially good job with Oswald from different angles. You know, mine had no Italian overtones of mafia or guns in that way. I was just the, you know, egomaniac trying to take over the city. I was, you know, a misunderstood bird, a bird who cannot fly. So mine is a totally different character than in The Penguin with Colin, which is good. It’s good. Here you got a gangster penguin. It’s fine, and he’s doing a great job.”
DeVito may not know if he’ll ever play Penguin again, but it’s clear the part means a lot to him. And judging by his words, he’d happily put on the makeup one more time if the chance ever came along.
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