“I come with baggage”: The Batman Star Colin Farrell Rejected One of His Best Movies Before Director Turned Down His Refusal

Actor Colin Farrell has been a popular name in the entertainment industry since the early 2000s. Although the actor has appeared in various movies throughout his career, a lot of people only associate him with the role of Oswald “Oz” Cobblepot / The Penguin in 2022’s The Batman.

Farrell’s fans have often pointed out that the actor has performed in better movies, particularly in director Martin McDonagh’s 2008 movie, In Bruges. Not many people know that Farrell initially turned down the offer, but McDonagh wasn’t taking no for an answer. Ultimately, Farrell appeared as Ray in the movie, earning a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor.

Colin Farrell refused to star in In Bruges (2008)

As per ATRightMovies on X, when director Martin McDonagh approached actor Colin Farrell for the role of Ray in his 2008 movie, In Bruges, the actor refused to appear by saying, “The script is too good. I come with baggage.” McDonagh then replied. “Okay. Noted. I still want you.”

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Farrell was cast as the protagonist, Ray, in the movie. The comedy-drama crime thriller film focuses on Ray and Ken, two hitmen, who are stuck in Bruges, Belgium after a job goes wrong. The film premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival and was released in the United States on 8 February 2008. Currently, the film is available for rent on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube as well as Apple TV+.

Colin Farrell loved the film’s script

Farrell once publicly revealed that he loved In Bruges‘ script and the characters. In a production note for the movie, Farrell said (via FocusFeatures),

“Pound for pound, it was the best thing I’ve ever read. Martin’s got some brain on him. It’s just brilliant, the characters and the situations – unique, and with amazing dialogue.”

On a budget of $15 million, In Bruges managed to make $34.5 million at the global box office. The film was nominated for seven awards by the British Independent Film Awards and even managed to get McDonagh the Best Original Screenplay award at the 62nd British Academy Film Awards. The film was also nominated for the Best Original Screenplay award at the 81st Academy Awards.