Colin Farrell calls Matt Reeves’ Batman script “beautiful and dark”

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

I've always believed that the true mark of a great actor or actress is how good they are in a terrible film. I can't think of anyone who embodies that concept more over the last twenty-five years than Colin Farrell. Although movies like ALEXANDER and DAREDEVIL are horrendous at worst, forgettable at best, it had nothing to do with Colin Farrell who was the lone bright spot in both of those films. In more recent times, Farrell's portrayal of Detective Ray Valcoro in the second season of True Detective was about the only thing that made that season watchable.

Now this isn't to say that Colin Farrell only picks terrible films, far from it. Director Martin McDonagh's IN BRUGES and SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS are absolutely dynamite in my opinion. In addition, his turns in Steve McQueen's WIDOWS and Yorgos Lanthimos' THE LOBSTER are just stunning. As the old saying goes, I could literally watch this guy "read the phone book." Thankfully, Farrell has chosen to align himself with another fantastic director – Matt Reeves. The actor will take on the role of Oswald Cobblepot/The Penguin in Reeves' upcoming film THE BATMAN.

Currently, Colin Farrell is doing a press tour for Guy Ritchie's upcoming gangster comedy film THE GENTLEMEN. (You can read our own Chris Bumbray's review right here.) Last night Farrell stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live and while the conversation consisted of Farrell's reaction to the recent California earthquake, THE GENTLEMEN, and his love of kabobs, eventually talk turned to THE BATMAN. Farrell revealed that he's currently chunking up for the role (the Penguin is notoriously portly) and he's set to begin filming in two to three weeks. Additionally, Farrell positively gushed about Matt Reeves's script:

"I'm in the process of talking to Matt Reeves who wrote a beautiful, dark, moving script…gorgeous. It's all very hush, hush but it's a really beautiful script he wrote and he has real love for it man. So we're just finishing up designing the aesthetic for the character."

Farrell's words seem to fall in line with previous reports about Reeves' script which is said to be a dark, noir driven tale. The story is said to focus much more on the detective aspect of Batman which I am completely down for. People often overlook the fact that the character has been dubbed, "the world's greatest detective." While we've seen Batman's detective skills displayed on the big screen in the past, it's never really been at the forefront in my opinion. There's plenty of Batman stories to pull from that highlight his sleuthing prowess such as The Long Halloween, so here's hoping Reeves' incorporated some of those elements into his script.

What really intrigues me about Colin Farrell's comments is his reference to the Penguin's aesthetic. While it's clear from the segment that Farrell's pursuing Penguin's portly physique, the rest of his "aesthetic" is still up in the air. I could definitely see Farrell sporting Cobblepot's signature umbrella and hat, however I'm not sure how likely it is that Penguin's monocle shows up. Unless I'm very much mistaken, almost no one wears a monocle in this day and age. Then again, no one really did in 1992 when Danny Devito had one for Tim Burton's BATMAN RETURNS either. Moreover, this is a comicbook film and it's always possible Farrell's character could use the monocle as an affectation.

So what do you guys think of Colin Farrell's comments? Does it get you even more excited for THE BATMAN? Any chance other members of Batman's Rogues Gallery besides Penguin, Riddler, Catwoman, and Carmine Falcone show up? Sound off in the comments below!