Colin Farrell as The Penguin was one of the most terrifying characters in Matt Reeves’ The Batman. The way he walked, talked, and acted was enough for many to be convinced that he was truly the best Penguin that DC fans had ever seen. While his acting is to be praised, it is truly the makeup that helped him transform into the notorious crime lord.
Yet, some fans expressed why the production would hire Farrell and transform him into somebody unrecognizable instead of hiring a talented actor with similar looks as Oswald Cobblepot. A pretty viable point, but once fans see the BTS video of Farrell’s transformation, they will certainly appreciate not only the actor but also Matt Reeves’s vision.
Colin Farrell’s Gruelling Transformation For The Batman
One look at Reddit’s many DC forums and any non-DC fan will be convinced that Colin Farrell really knocked the ball way out of the park by starring as The Penguin. Not only did Matt Reeves‘ movie set a precedent for DC and superhero films by staying true to the original tale, but it was also the great performance by the cast, particularly Farrell, that helped make the movie famous.
While his performance was certainly exemplary, it was the makeup that really helped him embody the character better, as the cast and crew explained in this BTS video. It was the efforts of prosthetic makeup artists Mike Marino and Mike Fontaine that made The Penguin as horrifying and terrifying as he is.
The artists revealed how Reeves had The Godfather’s Fredo in mind, while they also referenced gangsters Capone and Scarface. Seeking inspiration from bird beaks and penguins, they created the look on clay first. After getting the approval and designing various pieces in platinum silicone, they finally started the makeup process.
As per Marino’s interview with Stan Winston School, it took over four hours for each individual (nose, chin, brow, cheeks, neck) piece to be attached and the final look to be completed with additional makeup. Farrell also shaved his head in the middle to make the look more real.
As Fontaine and Farrell himself explained, he became the character the moment the makeup was done. Trying various expressions and gestures, the video makes it clear that it was Farrell who made the makeup work instead of the other way around.
Colin Farrell’s Eyes Really Made His Portrayal Stand Out More
Despite the heavy makeup, Colin Farrell’s eyes were untouched. It was the piercing and sharp eyes of Farrell that made the character stand out more. In the behind-the-scenes video, Greg Fraser, the director of photography on The Batman, stated,
“The quality of the prosthetics was so good. I was blown away… But his eyes are so piercing and so clear that he’s kind of got this paradox that goes on where he’s got the face of somebody that feels like somebody who’s been through a lot but his eyes are sharp.”
The efforts of prosthetic makeup artists Mike Marino and Mike Fontaine, combined with Farrell’s exceptional acting skills and his soul-piercing eyes, have now made The Penguin one of the most terrifying characters in DC’s history.
While Farrell’s transformation was worth the time and effort and will be remembered for years to come, the actor is back as the character in the upcoming spinoff series The Penguin, slated to release this fall.
The Batman can be streamed on Max or Netflix.
