At the SAG Awards held on Sunday night, Colin Farrell was recognized once again for his portrayal of the iconic villain in “The Penguin.” However, the actor has expressed hesitation about committing to a second season of the show.
“I’m not against it, but I’m not actively pursuing it either,” Farrell shared exclusively backstage at the event. “We really put our all into those eight hours, so I wouldn’t want to return just because of some perceived success if it would compromise what people love about the show. I’m not in a hurry. I don’t have a strong urge to jump back in. If a compelling idea arises that aligns well with Matt Reeves’ cinematic storyline, I would be receptive to it, but for now, it’s not something I’m focused on.”
In a joint interview with Variety’s Adam B. Vary, DC Studios co-chairs Peter Safran and James Gunn commented on the possibility of a second season, stating, “We’re uncertain… There are many factors at play, including Colin himself.” Gunn humorously noted, “And 800 pounds of makeup,” referring to the significant transformation Farrell undergoes to embody the character.
While Farrell is expected to reprise his role in the upcoming sequel to Reeves’ “The Batman,” he mentioned that he hasn’t been filled in on the specifics yet. “He’s pretty secretive about that,” Farrell remarked.
Reflecting on his role, Farrell reminisced about his childhood memories of watching the Penguin character, played by Meredith Burgess in the original “Batman.” “If someone had told the young me that I would get to portray that character, and that my makeup would be done by a protégé of Rick Baker—who worked on Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’—I would have found it hard to believe. It’s such a surreal experience, and I’m incredibly thankful for it. This show has been a thrilling adventure.”
Despite his accolades, Farrell had no plans to extend the celebration of his SAG Award win into the night. “It’s a wonderful moment to appreciate, but then it’s back to reality,” he said. “I’ll be in my pajamas in about 105 minutes, ordering food and watching Episode 10 of ‘Shōgun’ with my kid while the after-party is happening.”
Farrell also touched on a humorous COVID-related exchange he had with Jamie Lee Curtis when she presented him with his award. She joked, “And the Actor goes to…the man who gave me COVID at the Golden Globes: Colin Farrell.” Farrell humorously responded, “Guilty as charged. But Brendan Gleeson gave it to me first! I was just spreading the love.”
Flashing back to the Golden Globes, Farrell recounted how he likely caught the virus after receiving a congratulatory kiss from Gleeson post-win for “The Banshees of Inisherin.” “Brendan began the day saying, ‘I think I feel a little off, but I’ll be fine,’” Farrell recalled. “I didn’t think much of it at the time, but the next day he tested positive, and shortly after, so did I.”
