Danny DeVito has been in the film industry for a long time and has done more than a handful of iconic roles that are now celebrated part of popular culture. However, his portrayal of the Penguin in Tim Burton’s iconic Batman Returns will always remain one of the best of all time. Even now, fans want the actor to return, in some fashion or the other, as the Penguin.
While the chances of him returning are slim, we look back at his epic portrayal of the formidable adversary and recall one nerve-racking yet hilarious story from the sets of Batman Returns. A story where the celebrated actor-filmmaker nearly lost his balls to a monkey!
Danny DeVito’s Monkey Mishap on the Sets of Batman Returns
Tim Burton‘s Batman Returns is iconic for a lot of reasons and Danny DeVito starring as the Penguin is definitely one of the best elements of the film. Starring alongside Michael Keaton‘s Batman, DeVito was absolutely brilliant and terrifying at the same time. Part of the reason why he looked as horrifying as he looked was the long and tedious makeup process as well as the heavy layered body suit he had to wear.
A monkey bit Danny DeVito’s balls during the filming of Batman Returns 👀
(@MinddKidzag) pic.twitter.com/QE3WiGa1cG
— Geek Vibes Nation (@GeekVibesNation) July 21, 2024
Although the process sounds exhausting, the suit ended up saving DeVito’s life, or rather balls from an overzealous monkey on set, the BTS of which can be seen in the above video. While on The Graham Norton Show, over 7 years ago, the actor revealed how one scene in the film included a monkey coming down the stairs to hand the Penguin a note from Batman.
But the first take of the scene went horribly wrong, as DeVito revealed,
They roll the cameras, monkey comes down the steps, I walk over in the Penguin… the monkey looked at me, froze, and then leapt right at my balls. Swear to God, it was horrifying.
Fortunately, his enormous and thick-layered costume came in handy when the monkey grabbed a mouthful of his jewels. Describing the experience as absolutely horrifying and traumatic, the actor put on another suit and did the scene again.
Danny DeVito Wants to Play the Penguin Again
It’s been more than three decades and Danny DeVito’s Penguin remains a benchmark for comic book villain portrayals. Hailed as one of the best villain portrayals of all time, DeVito brought a unique blend of grotesque charm and menacing villainy that has left an indelible mark on audiences and critics alike.
So when DeVito and Arnold Schwarzenegger, who starred as Mr. Freeze in Batman & Robin, reunited at the Oscars this year, there has been a renewed wave of fans’ demand to see them reprise their celebrated DC characters along with Michael Keaton as the Dark Knight. And speaking with PEOPLE after the Oscars, the actor revealed that he has been planning to work with Schwarzenegger again.
Oh, I don’t know. I don’t think it’s a bad idea because you got Keaton, you got [Schwarzenegger], you got DeVito. We could do those same parts. Yeah, why not? Go tell [co-chair and CEO of Warner Bros] Pam Abdi to do that. And [MGM chairman] Mike DeLuca.
While Colin Farrell has since taken over the character, fans would certainly love to see DeVito reprise his DC role again in any capacity. Not only would his return bring a fresh yet nostalgic take on the character but will also add a layer of authenticity and depth to the character that fans have come to love and admire over the years.
Batman Returns can be rented on Amazon Prime Video.
