When Colin Farrell looked in the mirror after donning his prosthetic makeup for the role of Oswald “Oz” Cobblepot in the Max series “The Penguin,” he barely recognized himself. “I looked in the mirror, and I saw something looking back that was not me,” the Irish actor remarked. His transformation was so complete that only his hands remained untouched by the prosthetics created by designer Mike Marino. This powerful transformation wasn’t just physical; it also allowed Farrell to fully immerse himself in the mindset of the infamous DC Comics villain.
“The Penguin,” a spinoff from the 2022 film “The Batman,” delves into the rise of the iconic villain as he ascends to power through the criminal underworld of Gotham City. Alongside Farrell, the series features Cristin Milioti as Sofia Falcone, the heiress of a mob family, and Rhenzy Feliz as Victor Aguilar, a young man who becomes the Penguin’s driver. The show explores the stark contrasts between the characters’ backgrounds, with Sofia hailing from immense wealth, while Victor and Oz come from the city’s rougher, impoverished areas. Despite their differences, they all endure challenging and often dark experiences.
Milioti praised Farrell’s transformation, noting that the realistic makeup completely changed his appearance. “The makeup is so real, there’s not a part of it that looks like someone’s in makeup. It moves, it feels real,” she said. But what stood out even more to her was Farrell’s deep connection with his character. “Colin is in such communion with that character,” she observed. On set, she often felt like she was interacting with Oz, not Farrell. “Even when he would casually ask about my weekend, I was still visually with Oz,” she explained, emphasizing how fully Farrell embodied the role.
Rhenzy Feliz, who plays Victor Aguilar, was equally impressed by Farrell’s transformation. “You know it’s Colin, but it’s like a magic trick because your brain tells you it’s Oz, even though you know it’s Colin,” he said, marveling at the actor’s ability to disappear into the role.
Produced by DC Studios in collaboration with Warner Bros. Television, “The Penguin” is set to premiere on Max. The series promises to expand on the world of Gotham City and offer viewers a deeper look into the complex and ruthless character of Oswald Cobblepot, brought to life through Farrell’s compelling performance and the incredible craftsmanship of the makeup team.
Farrell’s dedication to the role goes beyond the physical changes; it’s his psychological transformation that truly brings the Penguin to life. This series, with its exploration of power, identity, and the dark underbelly of Gotham, is poised to captivate audiences and add a new dimension to the DC Universe.
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