Danny DeVito captivated the audiences as he took the stage at the 2024 Oscars with Arnold Schwarzenegger. The duo reminisced about their experiences facing off against the DC superhero Batman in their respective films. After presenting the impressive Batman bit with Michael Keaton, the actor-filmmaker is now reflecting on the prospect of reprising his role as Oswald Cobblepot, aka Penguin.
DeVito portrayed the character in Tim Burton’s 1992 film Batman Returns, starring alongside Keaton, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Christopher Walken. With their remarkable performances and Burton’s distinct style, the film has solidified its place as one of the most memorable in the history of the superhero genre.
Danny DeVito on Potentially Reprising His Role as Penguin
Danny DeVito took on the role of the Batman villain Penguin in the 1992 film Batman Returns. Starring alongside Michael Keaton, he delivered one of the most remarkable performances of his career as he embodied the dastardly character with unforgettable flair.
In a recent interview, the actor was asked about the possibility of reprising his role as The Penguin or taking on another DC character after Keaton’s return in The Flash. The 79-year-old actor expressed a keen interest but with one condition.
He shared that he would only consider it if director Tim Burton were at the helm. “If Tim Burton was directing it, I’d be there in a second,” he shared during a conversation with Screen Rant. He also shared that he enjoyed playing the character, saying,
“Oswald Cobblepot is my favorite. I had a good time. Its operatic. I like every once in a while going big [Laughs], and so I’d do that in a second. We had a ball doing that.”
Tim Bruton directed two Batman films, including the 1989 film Batman and its sequel Batman Returns. While the filmmaker had plans for one more film in the series, he did not return for another film and the studio moved ahead with Joel Schumacher’s Batman Forever, which replaced Keaton with Val Kilmer in the role of Batman.
Michael Keaton on His Potential Return as Batman
The Batman star, who recently reprised his role as the Caped Cursuader in the 2024 DC film The Flash, also reflected on the possibility of his return as Batman. During a recent interview with Josh Horowitz on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, the Oscar-nominated actor was asked if The Flash would mark his official goodbye to the character.
Michael Keaton contemplated the possibility of reprising his role in the future, saying,
“I don’t think about it much, you know, Never Say Never. I don’t think everything’s dependent upon something else, I guess.”
While the possibility of Tim Burton returning to direct another Batman film remains uncertain, Keaton is set to collaborate with the filmmaker in the highly anticipated sequel to the 1988 fantasy horror comedy, Beetlejuice. Keaton is set to reprise his titular role in the upcoming film alongside Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, and Jenna Ortega.
Batman and Batman Returns is available to stream on Max.
