LOS ANGELES – Colin Farrell experienced a profound transformation while preparing for his role as the Penguin in the HBO Max series “The Penguin,” stating that upon looking in the mirror, he could hardly recognize himself due to the extensive prosthetic makeup.
Farrell shared that “The Penguin” designer Mike Marino altered every part of his body except for his hands. The series explores the backstory of Oswald “Oz” Cobblepot, also known as the Penguin, tracing his ascent through the criminal underworld of Gotham City, following his appearance in the 2022 film “The Batman.”
Joining Farrell in the series are Cristin Milioti, portraying Sofia Falcone, the daughter of a mob family, and Rhenzy Feliz as Victor Aguilar, a young man who becomes the Penguin’s chauffeur. Milioti highlighted the stark differences in their backgrounds, stating that while Sofia comes from immense wealth, both Oz and Victor hail from the city’s rougher, impoverished areas, yet they all face significant challenges.
Produced by DC Studios in collaboration with Warner Bros. Television, the series is set to premiere on Max this Thursday.
Farrell reflected on how his transformation into the Penguin involved not just external changes but also a psychological shift. “There was a particular internal change that happened with such an abundance of external brilliance that was placed upon me,” he explained.
Feliz expressed his amazement at Farrell’s striking transformation, describing it as a “magic trick” that played with his perception of the actor. He was fascinated by how Farrell embodied the character.
Milioti echoed this sentiment, praising the realism of the makeup, which made it difficult to tell that anyone was wearing prosthetics. Moreover, she admired the deep connection Farrell had with his character, emphasizing that they often only saw him as Oz on set.
Overall, the cast members were impressed by the remarkable work done to bring the Penguin to life, further enhancing the series’ narrative depth.