You never know what could happen live, especially when one celebrity has no idea their profanity isn't being cut. Colin Farrell gave those watching the FIFA World Cup amid the 2026 TV schedule a front-row seat to what that looks like. With that, James Corden had to awkwardly tell him he was dropping f-bombs on live American TV, and the moment that happened was perfect.

Years after quitting The Late Late Show, James Corden is back on primetime with the FIFA World Cup on FOX After Hours. The show's title is a mouthful, which may be why the word "Live" is nowhere to be found in the title. Had that been added, maybe Corden wouldn't have had to tell Farrell that in the midst of the Oscar nominee swearing about a wax figure of Pelé in the corner. Here's how Farrell reacted:

That's right, Mr. Farrell, this isn't The Penguin, nor are these people watching you with an HBO Max subscription. While many cable networks have relaxed their stances on swearing in recent years, others prefer to keep things family-friendly, even if they're airing in the "safe harbor period" for television in the United States.

It should be noted that Farrell wasn't being remarkably obscene or anything, and that it was more swearing in the midst of casual conversation. It seems there are no hard feelings from Fox Sports, which shared a video of the moment on its official social media account. Take a look at how priceless Farrell's face is when he realizes his faux pas:

It appears that all's well that ends well, and Colin Farrell will probably be paranoid for a while that he's on live TV without being told in advance. I like the look of genuine concern on his face, paired with the immediate confession that he might've said everything the exact same way even if he knew.

While it could certainly be a one-off event, I do wonder if James Corden doing FIFA World Cup on FOX After Hours will give him the itch to return to late-night television in the United States. In fairness, it may not matter if he is interested, as Stephen Colbert's exit from CBS could be proof that networks aren't as invested in late-night programming as they once were.

Fortunately, sports fandoms are relatively loyal, and fans will stay up to watch reactions to their team. With that, I've enjoyed Corden in this role as of late. Perhaps it's the fact that absence makes the heart grow fonder, or maybe it's just because he hasn't jammed Team USA into a sedan for Carpool Karaoke. In any case, he's got me watching soccer analysis, and I can't say I've done that before!

The World Cup continues with the elimination stages on Fox and FS1. Tune in as Team USA and others continue their campaign to a championship, and see who will end up the big winners of this prestigious tournament!

The superhero genre continues to be wildly popular, and audiences are invested in upcoming DC movies. The studio's co-CEO James Gunn has been crafting a new shared universe, although Matt Reeves' The Batman franchise (which is streaming with a HBO Max subscription) is set outside of it. The TV spinoff The Penguin got me way more invested in that property, and I've been hoping we'd eventually get a Season 2. Colin Farrell recently addressed that possibility, and what his conditions would be for reprising his role on the small screen.

What we know about The Batman Part II is limited, but cameras are up and it's expected to hit theaters in October of 2027. I've been holding out hope that The Penguin gets another season following its Emmy-winning first season, and during a conversation with People Farrell spoke about the idea of his show returning. In his words:

As much as I want another season of The Penguin, I respect Colin Farrell's perspective. Given what a huge success the first season was, the actor wants to make sure that any future installments feel earned and that the material is just as strong. Expectations are high, so the series needs to be another slam dunk if the cast and crew reunite to tell another story about Oswald Cobblepot and Cristin Milioti's Sofia Falcone.

The Penguin helped to increase my investment in The Batman franchise, so I'm really hoping we'll get another installment of the TV spinoff. But the first season left behind a wildly successful legacy including a whopping nine Emmy wins. Later in the same interview, Colin Farrell spoke more about possibly getting another season after Part II hits theaters. In his words:

He's not wrong. As much as I want to see more of this series, I'd want a second or third season to live up to the first one's high standards. So it'll take the right story to convince not only Colin Farrell but Matt Reeves and company to bring back the TV spinoff. We'll just have to wait and see if/when that happens.

The Penguin is streaming now on HBO Max, and The Batman: Part II will hit theaters on October 1st, 2027. Since it's not part of the 2026 movie release list, fans will have to be patient for news about not only the movie, but its TV spinoff as well.

Colin Farrell seems like he’s impervious to joining movies and TV shows that don’t have extremely impressive casts, and his crime-thriller mystery Sugar is another notch in his belt of successes on that front. The noir-leaning series, whose Season 2 premiere is now available to stream via Apple TV subscription, is bringing in Better Call Saul great Tony Dalton for Sugar to tangle with, and I talked to the showrunner Sam Catlin and executive producer Audrey Chon about the latest stellar casting choice.

To be sure, Sugar cemented its connection to Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul in Season 1 just by having Catlin as one of its creative forces. Catlin was an EP and writer on Vince Gilligan’s flagship drama — he penned my absolute favorite ep, “Crawlspace” — and presumably had a big hand in getting Anna Gunn (Skyler White) and Dennis Boutsikaris (Rich Schweikart) cast for Season 1. So I had to ask how prevalent Dalton’s role as Lalo Salamanca was in influencing his Sugar casting. According to Catlin:

To his point, Sugar has utilized Saul director Michael Morris for Season 2, as well as camera operator Matt Credle (who worked on BCS and the film El Camino) and Marshall Adams (cinematographer on all three aforementioned Gilligan creations, as well as Pluribus). I think it also helps just a little that the Apple TV series also boasts BB and BCS’ casting directors Sharon Bialy and Sherry Thomas.

But even if none of those details were actually true, it would still make all the sense in the world to bring Tony Dalton into the dark and crime-laden world that Sugar is maneuvering his way through after choosing not to accompany his fellow E.T.s back to their home planet in Season 1. (It’s almost too easy to forget about the first season’s huge game-changing twist.)

Dalton portrays Ray Vega, a lieutenant within the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. But despite technically being on the same side of the law as John Sugar, the early promos definitely make him look like an antagonistic roadblock for Farrell's character. It's a change from Season 1, and when I asked Catlin about using the actor as the season's big bad, he told me:

At this point, EP Audrey Chon chimed in to clarify that locking down the Texas native for the role wasn't a question at all. As she put it:

I got giddy just hearing about his casting however many months ago that was, so I can only imagine how excellent it must have been to have him on the set and mixing it up with Farrell and possibly with other Season 2 stars such as Shea Wigham, Raymond Lee, Jin Ha, Sasha Calle and Laura Donnelly.

Watch the Season 2 trailer below to see Tony Dalton making his way into John Sugar's life.

Fans have already seen Tony Dalton pop up on the 2026 TV schedule as Daredevil: Born Again’s Jack Duquesne, a.k.a. Swordsman, but even though he’s wearing a cop uniform instead of a vigilante costume in Sugar, I don’t think his character Ray Vega is that much better of a human being, morally speaking.

Speaking of Breaking Bad and El Camino, Aaron Paul was revealed to be in DCU’s Clayface, which is in a different reality from Farrell’s Penguin and Matt Reeves’ Batman movies, but still seems like a run piece of connective tissue between all these projects. (To bring it all together, Catlin co-developed AMC's Preacher adaptation, which was originally pubbed by DC Vertigo.)

The first episode of Sugar Season 2 is now available to stream, with new installments hitting Apple TV on Fridays.

This story is SPOILER-FREE for Sugar Season 1, so you're safe to read on, even if you haven’t streamed this one yet.

Apple TV has some truly great original shows, with Severance and Ted Lasso being a couple of standout favorites. Recently I realized that I’d never gotten around to checking out Colin Farrell’s neo-noir drama Sugar, and with Season 2 hitting the 2026 TV schedule on June 19, I figured it was the perfect time for a binge. However, after a couple of episodes, I considered backing out, and boy would that have been a huge mistake.

My initial reservations are no knock against Sugar itself, which plays out like a fairly typical noir mystery, complete with Colin Farrell narrating his actions as private investigator John Sugar. I’m fine with neo-noir as a genre, but it’s simply not one that I crave. However, I went into the series blind, with absolutely no idea that a huge twist was coming.

Sugar, of course, centers around John Sugar, played by Academy Award nominee Colin Farrell, who is hired by a huge movie producer (James Cromwell) to find his missing granddaughter. Reuniting families is kind of Sugar’s thing, after he went through tragedy himself with the disappearance of his sister. The PI really cares about the cases he takes, and he becomes especially invested in this particular one, despite his handler’s (Kirby) disapproval.

The cast is one of the things that impressed me most when I fired up my Apple TV subscription for my binge. In addition to the names above, Sugar's cast includes Breaking Bad’s Anna Gunn (if you thought Skyler White was unlikeable, just wait!), Dennis Boutsikaris, Amy Ryan, Jon Beavers and many more

Even in the slow-burn early episodes, I was enjoying Sugar and the titular character's unique characteristics. He hated hurting people, for example, and was friendly to strange dogs. There was just enough weirdness there for me to wonder if something more was going on, and that’s what ultimately kept me from letting the series fall by the wayside.

Don’t Skip Out Before Sugar’s Bonkers Twist

Thankfully, I kept hitting Play on Sugar, because there’s really no glaring indication from the trailer or episode descriptions of the shock that comes about two-thirds of the way through the season. The hints proved to be enough to keep me interested, though. For instance, John Sugar gets tremors in his hand and seems to experience dizzy spells. We also learn early on that he’s incapable of getting drunk, as his body metabolizes alcohol at 50 times the rate of the average person.

It’s also obvious that those around him are keeping a big secret, and while you have to get pretty deep into Sugar before you start getting answers, those answers are definitely worth the wait. The final two episodes really flip things on their head, setting up a second season that really has me wondering what’s going to happen now that John Sugar’s big secret is out (one of them, at least).

If you’ve missed this super-bingeable show, I highly recommend checking it out, especially with Sugar Season 2 coming June 19. And if the slow-burn neo-noir series doesn’t grab you immediately, I recommend waiting it out for the explosion to come.

While DC co-CEO James Gunn's new shared universe is still in its infancy, there are DC projects set outside of it. Namely Matt Reeves' The Batman franchise, which is currently streaming with an HBO Max subscription. Its long-awaited sequel, Part II, is finally in production, with fans eager for any information about the upcoming DC movie. Unfortunately, Colin Farrell's recent comments about his next appearance as The Penguin are seriously bumming me out.

What we know about The Batman: Part II is extremely limited, with fans left wondering about its plot, villain, and more. And while Farrell is set to reprise his role as The Penguin, he recently offered some disappointing news about the size of his role. As the actor said in a conversation with ScreenRant:

Two scenes?! While Farrell is hyping up what Reeves and company have in store for The Batman's sequel, I can't believe that we'll be seeing so little of Oswald Cobblepot. Especially considering that his TV show The Penguin is what reignited my interest in that burgeoning franchise. I need more than just a few appearances by Farrell's iconic villain!

The Penguin's finale teased another showdown with The Dark Knight, who was noticeably absent throughout the spinoff. It's unclear if we'll ever get a second season, but his role in The Batman: Part II was still an exciting prospect. Alas, it looks like he won't have very much screen time when that title hits theaters in 2027.

Fans who spent years watching the DC movies in order will recall how Colin Farrell helped to bring attention to The Batman, namely because he was so unrecognizable as The Penguin. He crushed it in that role, which is no doubt why a TV spinoff came his way. So the fact that he'll seemingly be so underused in Part II is baffling and honestly disappointing. Seriously, I love this version of the famous Batman villain.

It's possible that Penguin's two scenes will have a huge impact in The Batman's sequel, but I maintain that his role being so small is a misstep. I'll still be seeing it in theaters, but I'm feeling skeptical.

All will be revealed when The Batman: Part II hits theaters on October 1st, 2027. Since it's not part of the 2026 movie release list, fans are going to have to be patient while waiting for more news.

The superhero genre continues to be popular, resulting in a number of shared universes. But fans who have watched the DC movies in order will recall that Matt Reeves' The Batman (which is streaming with a HBO Max subscription) is set in its own world. Colin Farrell plays The Penguin in that franchise, and recently teased the quality of Part II's mysterious script, going so far as to call it a "masterwork." Is it 2027 yet?

What we know about The Batman: Part II is extremely limited, as the cast only recently got a completed script. Fans are curious about the upcoming DC movie, which is being kept under wraps for the time being. Farrell recently appeared on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, where he was asked about his reaction to the sequel's mysterious script. He praised Reeves' work, saying:

Honestly, the wait until we finally get to see this DC blockbuster feels much longer now. While The Penguin helped revive my interest in The Batman, it's still going to be a number of years before we see what Matt Reeves has up his sleeve. Although if Farrell's comments are to be believed and its his "masterwork", perhaps it'll be worth the long wait. Fingers crossed we get some information about its contents sooner rather than later.

The Penguin's finale teased the return of Robert Pattinson's Batman, who was noticeably missing throughout the spinoff series. Fans are even more invested in this version of Gotham City than before, which should hopefully buoy anticipation as we wait for the second film to finally hit theaters in a few years' time. During the same conversation, Colin Farrell hyped up what the title character of The Batman: Part II will be up to, offering:

Reeves definitely has his own take on The Dark Knight. Pattinson had limited time as Bruce Wayne in the first movie, instead remaining largely under the cape and cowl. I'm curious to see if this will continue in the next movie, or if perhaps we'll get more of the other side of this alter ego.

While fans are eager for any information regarding The Batman: Part II, it turns out that Farrell actually hd acce to its secrets for a while before we even cracked open the script. He wanted to be in the right state of mind to give back into the story, as he told it:

Honestly, my FOMO is through the roof. Even though I'm bummed Cristin Milioti's Sofia Falcone won't be in The Batman: Part II, it sounds like Matt Reeves has crafted an extremely specific and focused story for the sequel film. Colin Farrell is clearly impressed, and his passion for the DC flick seems genuine. It's just too bad that we'll have to wait so long.

The Batman: Part II is currently expected to arrive in theaters on October 1st, 2027. The next DC title on the big screen will be Supergirl on June 26th as part of the 2026 movie release list.

Last year audiences were thrilled by the fictionalized look at the inner workings of choosing a new pope in Conclave — one of the best movies of 2024, in our opinion — and now director Edward Berger is back with an offering for the 2025 movie calendar. Colin Farrell stars in Ballad of a Small Player as a gambling addict who’s offered a lifeline when it comes time to pay his debts, and critics have shared their views as the psychological thriller hits streaming.

Ballad of a Small Player saw a limited run in theaters before premiering on the Netflix schedule on October 29, so as it hits streaming, let’s see if this is one we’ll be adding to our watchlist. Jacob Oller of AV Club gives it a C, saying its gambling fable is “garish” and “clichéd,” while Farrell’s Lord Doyle is underdeveloped, forcing the actor to overcompensate. The critic continues:

Barry Levitt of Empire gives it 2 stars out of 5, saying that while Colin Farrell is great and the film is a visual treat, Ballad of a Small Player is “an impenetrable story of redemption that’s both too obvious and too baffling.” Levitt writes:

David Ehrlich of IndieWire writes that it sounds like a decent premise on paper, but ultimately the movie is like its main character — defeated and desperate for a win. He also grades it a C and says:

Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com gives it just 1.5 out of 4 stars, calling it one of the most over-directed movies he’s ever seen. Considering the work Colin Farrell and Edward Berger have each done in their careers, this one will not be held in esteem (through no fault of Farrell’s, however). Tallerico says:

Peter Debruge of Variety agrees that the movie becomes tiresome, as Colin Farrell is nearly smothered by Edward Berger’s direction — with either a high-def camera shoved into the actor’s pores or shot from so far away he’s nothing more than a speck, the critic says. Debruge continues:

The critics seem to agree that Colin Farrell gives it his all in Ballad of a Small Player, but as a follow-up to Academy Award Best Picture nominees All Quiet on the Western Front and Conclave, this is a disappointment from director Edward Berger.

There were some positives, however, including the neon color palette, bold cinematography and music, so If you’re intrigued by the film, don’t let these reviews stop you. Ballad of a Small Player comes to Netflix on Wednesday, October 29.

When it comes to awards, Colin Farrell has had a pretty damn good year. The Irish actor earned widespread acclaim at the end of last year playing the titular role in the HBO Max original series The Penguin, and a positive consequence of that was getting a lot of attention from award-giving groups in 2025 – starting with him winning "Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film" at the Golden Globes and more recently seeing him nominated for two Emmys (one as an actor, one as a producer). But while Farrell surely appreciates the accolades and the hardware, he is of the opinion that being up for a prize is better than winning one.

Colin Farrell has more than a few proverbial trophies on his mantle, having collected them for not only The Penguin but for his work in films like The Banshees Of Inisherin and In Bruges, but he recently told The Hollywood Reporter that he has a perspective on awards that is different than most. As great as it can be to win, being declared a winner means being singled out, and her prefers to be part of "the community." He explained,

What's not to love about that take? Unless an actor is on the cast of a TV series that goes on for years and years, the profession can be a regular source of temporary work relationships, as each new project one signs on for features a new cast and crew. During awards season, however, all of the nominees can be excited that their work has earned positive recognition, and the same group of stars frequently connect at the wide variety of events that are held.

In addition to all of the success surrounding his work on The Penguin, Colin Farrell also recently received the Golden Icon Award at the Zurich Film Festival – a celebration of his entire career. The actor's new movie, the Edward Berger-directed drama Ballad Of A Small Time Player, just premiered at the event ahead of its theatrical release on October 15 (it will be arriving for Netflix subscribers on October 29).

Fans of Colin Farrell are living in rich times, as in addition to The Penguin (available to stream with a HBO Max subscription) and the forthcoming release of Ballad Of A Small Time Player, the actor is also featured opposite Margot Robbie in the new romantic dramedy A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, which is in theaters now. He is expected to reprise his role as Oz Cobb in Matt Reeves' upcoming DC movie The Batman: Part II (dated for 2027), and there have been reports that he will play Sgt. Rock in the DC Universe.

Margot Robbie was the queen of the box office in 2023, thanks to Barbie — the billion-dollar hit she starred in and co-produced. During that year, Robbie participated in a whirlwind press tour and was also on hand during awards season. After that, though, the actress took a lengthy break from acting, though the Australian actress has since jumped back into the game. Her 2025 movie release, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, is now in theaters and, amid its release, Robbie is revealing why she agreed to join Colin Farrell in the film.

Based on her career, it feels like Margot Robbie is very thoughtful when picking roles. When it came to A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, though, the situation was a tad different, considering she was choosing her first leading role following a hiatus from acting. Robbie got real about the decision-making process during an interview with The Associated Press, which was shared to the news outlet’s TikTok account. Robbie revealed she always intended to take a break after Barbie’s run, but it seems she just couldn’t say no to ABBBJ:

A Big Bold Beautiful Journey is directed by Kogonada and tells the story of two strangers who unexpectedly cross paths and end up taking a fantastical trip down memory lane. In the process, they both relive pivotal moments from their lives, which could have ramifications on their futures. Considering that premise, I can understand how the story would’ve leapt off the page for Margot Robbie. The Oscar nominee went on to explain during her interview, though that there were other elements that factored into her decision to board the film:

Personally, I’m glad to see Robbie (who’s also produced her share of films) is back at it when it comes to her acting career, and it seems she had a lovely time working with the delightful Colin Farrell. Given her new movie, fans also have the opportunity to see Robbie sport A+ looks at premieres again like that viral naked dress and her cutout ensemble. She’s also been taking part in some fun interviews for press engagements alongside Farrell.

When it comes to A Big Bold Beautiful Journey’s reception, critics are mixed on the romantic comedy, with a number of pundits arguing that it’s “lacking that spark.” CinemaBlend’s own Eric Eisenberg reviewed the rom-com, and he found it to be a solid film elevated by Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell’s performances in the lead roles. Regardless of the reviews, though, I just love that Robbie is back on the big screen and relishing the opportunity.

Check out A Big Bold Beautiful Journey in theaters now. Robbie’s fans can also look forward to seeing the actress in a steamier kind of romance film, as her next film, Wuthering Heights opens in theaters on February 13 amid the 2026 movie schedule.

Margot Robbie’s Barbie may not have had her kissing Ryan Gosling, but her 2025 movie release will involve some romance scenes with Colin Farrell. Although there was one snag that made a kiss scene between them not so romantic to shoot in real life. While filming A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, the Irish actor gave Robbie a big, beautiful shepherd's pie right before making out with the actor, and talk about cringe.

The trailer for the new fantasy romance movie A Big Bold Beautiful Journey was just oozing with lovey-dovey. The longing stares, the hand holding, and a sweet kiss to top it all off. Behind the scenes, however, a kiss scene can only be as pleasing as what you last ate.

In the case of Margot Robbie, she downed a shepherd’s pie given by Colin Farrell before making out with him for the movie. Check out the hilarious story she told The Scott Mills Breakfast Show that'll make you self-conscious about your own jungle breath before kissing someone:

Yeah, you probably shouldn’t give your leading lady a meat-filled pie before you’re about to kiss her for a romance flick. But hey, shepherd’s pie is all the more savory that you can’t say no to that. Now, I’m curious if the gum actually did help!

But fortunately, it doesn’t appear like Margot Robbie’s shepherd’s pie breath turned off the Academy Award nominee as he called the kiss on the BBC Radio show “a very homely snog.” Considering The Banshees of Inisherin actor made that pie, he must have been subconsciously channeling his homemade cooking into that kiss.

A kiss scene may look cute and romantic to audiences. However, take it from the actors themselves to tell you their scene partner’s breath doesn’t always lie. Full House’s Lori Loughlin said John Stamos’ pre-kissing ritual would involve eating Doritos and smoking a cigar. A breath like that wouldn’t put me in a romantic mood.

On The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Liam Hemsworth recalled in 2014 that his Hunger Games co-star Jennifer Lawrence would be “eating garlic or tuna fish or something” before their kiss scenes. I’d be rolling out the Tic Tacs or gum at that point.

Not only did Margot Robbie discover during their time on A Big Bold Beautiful Journey that Colin Farrell can make a good shepherd’s pie, but that he’s got “The New Zac Efron” vibes. She got to witness the talented actor perform a song and dance number for their new movie that showed the Aussie actress a different side to him. Good cooking, musical skills, and a willingness to overlook a meaty kiss certainly aren’t bad skills for a scene partner to have.

Shepherd’s pie breath may not be so tasty while doing a kiss scene. But it didn’t seem like Colin Farrell had a problem with it while making out with Margot Robbie for their new romance flick. I’m sure, ultimately, their kiss scene was still filled with sparks that shone bright on the big screen. You can see for yourself with A Big Bold Beautiful Journey coming to theaters on September 19th.

When considering my own viewing habits, I recognize that tracking things logically is a big part of how I take in a movie. Whether it’s a serious historical drama or an audacious cosmic adventure, there is great satisfaction in recognizing how the different pieces of a story fit together and how filmmakers open up new ideas with fresh perspectives and conflicts. My sensibilities are wide open for any and all kinds of wild swings… but I do generally ask that some kind of effort be made at rationality that at least functions internally.

That being said, a healthy dose of magical realism can provide a pleasant vacation from this personal tendency. The right tone has to be struck, like a specific key for a specific lock, but a proper mix of quirk and strange can obliterate my expectations for logic and take me away on a unique adventure. Kogonada’s A Big Bold Beautiful Journey isn’t a movie that I would say thoroughly and consistently hits that sweet spot, but it strikes it with enough regularity and charm to provide a sweet dose of escapist romance. It has enough funny and kooky to be entertaining while the star power and charisma of Colin Farrell and Margot Robbie do the heavy lifting to make the characters pop and their drama feel substantial.

Written by Seth Reiss, the film begins as David (Colin Farrell) heads off on a road trip to a friend’s wedding, but he is impeded right at the start of his trip when he discovers that his car has been clamped with a boot. Noticing a conveniently placed flyer for a business simply called The Car Rental Agency, he makes a reservation for a vehicle, and he is met with a series of oddities when he arrives to pick it up: the employees (Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Kevin Kline) are a peculiar pair who have set up shop in the middle of a sound stage, treat the interaction with David like an audition, and give him the keys to a 1990s Saturn sedan – insisting that he opt in for the GPS system.

At the wedding, David meets Sarah (Margot Robbie), a fellow guest with whom he shares a moment, but things don’t really spark… until the next day. On the road home, David is prompted by his GPS and asked if he wants to go on a “big, bold, beautiful journey,” to which he agrees. The directions that follow see him reunite with Sarah – who also just so happens to be driving a rented 1990s Saturn with a strange GPS system – and they go on a trip together visiting a series of doors that allow them to visit the moments from the past that have shaped them as people and the ways they view relationships.

Magical realism is used to wonderful effect in A Big Bold Beautiful Journey.

A Big Bold Beautiful Journey is at its best when it’s committed to being unconventional and strange. Beyond the scene-stealing turns by Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Kevin Kline as the mysterious car rental agents, both David and Sarah understand that what they are experiencing isn’t normal (it’s not as though this is a sci-fi/fantasy world with recognized altered physics or advanced technology), and there is a delight in the way in which they simply choose to accept the magic and go where it takes them without substantial confusion or surprise. There is no heavy lifting with explanation or exposition; the audience is simply invited to embrace the wonder alongside the characters, and it’s successfully refreshing and engaging.

There are some gaps in the narrative that aren’t handled as well (like all of the time the protagonists spend in the car together driving from destination to destination), but the story is principally filled with both fun and dramatically complex trips through time that effectively challenge and expose David and Sarah – like the former re-experiencing heartbreak on the night of a high school performance of How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying and both being forced to confront past romantic relationships that ended horribly because of their personal shortcomings.

A Big Bold Beautiful Journey is a movie that needs a bit more pop in its drama.

The movie admirably tries to make these heightened circumstances co-exist with high emotional stakes for the characters, but it’s also where it falters. Both David and Sarah have realistic personal issues that hold them back from committing to relationships, and the journeys are designed to make them confront what is holding each of them back, but there is a soft playing of conflict that prevent the film from properly popping. Where A Big Bold Beautiful Journey should have major revelations that upend the way that we look at the protagonists and their potential future together, it instead keeps things on an even keel, and it stifles the cinematic experience.

The special talents and gravitas of Colin Farrell and Margot Robbie help to somewhat mitigate this, as the actors and their energy alone make the roles exciting to follow, but it doesn’t totally fill the gap.

Similarly, with the way in which the movie challenges the conventions of reality, one would expect that it would have greater visual flair to match, but the style is surprisingly subdued. Beautiful locations are found in nature for where the protagonists come upon the various doors that let them travel into their own pasts, and Kogonada takes moments to dazzle as David and Sarah walk through these portals – but beyond a sequence that sees the couple visit a museum and become a part of one of the works, there is a larger aesthetic simplicity to the movie and ultimately translates as a missed opportunity.

The premise and star power (not to mention the promise of the title) ultimately make it feel as though A Big Bold Beautiful Journey doesn’t fully live up to its potential, but I’d qualify it as a success of sensibilities. It doesn’t leave a powerful and lasting impression, but it’s a movie that is easy to give oneself over to for an entertaining, magic-infused trip.

Margot Robbie had audiences cheering and dressing in pink a couple of years ago in Barbie, and after a brief hiatus — during which she had her first baby — she is back and ready to hit the 2025 movie calendar with A Big Bold Beautiful Journey. Colin Farrell co-stars as David who comes together with Robbie’s Sarah for a … well, the title says it all. Ahead of A Big Bold Beautiful Journey’s release date, critics were able to screen the romantic fantasy, and they seem to agree that something is lacking.

The film, directed by Kogonada, is highly anticipated as Margot Robbie’s first role post-Barbie, and she’s described it as “one of the most magical experiences of my life.” Are critics feeling the magic? IndieWire’s Ryan Lattanzio is decidedly not, as he gives the movie a D+, calling it “embarrassingly earnest and sentimental” and saying the leads have as much chemistry as two walls that happen to be facing each other. Lattanzio continues:

Brian Truitt of USA TODAY rates it 2 out of 4 stars, saying the premise looks good on paper, but the movie loses its interesting story material when it goes all in on Sarah and David’s romance. Don’t feel bad about skipping this one, Truitt says, writing:

Witney Seibold of SlashFilm gives A Big Bold Beautiful Journey 4.5 stars out of 10, saying it's not a terrible film, but it's not mature enough to understand the machinations of the human heart. The critic says:

Pete Hammond of Deadline says the bones of a classic love story are there, but the heart just isn’t beating enough. Hammond says he “really wanted to like this one a lot more than I did,” and continues:

Mae Abdulbaki of ScreenRant rates it a 4 out of 10, calling it “a study in manufactured sentimentality.” The critic says A Big Bold Beautiful Journey is a “long, arduous” film that will leave audiences feeling hollow. Abdulbaki continues:

These reactions are no doubt disappointing for those who were excited to see Colin Farrell and Margot Robbie come together in her return to the big screen. However, don’t let critics keep you from the theater if this is one you’re interested in. A Big Bold Beautiful Journey hits theaters on Friday, September 19.

The superhero genre is wildly popular, and DC has an interesting two-pronged approach to releases lately. While co-CEO James Gunn is crafting a new shared universe, Matt Reeves' The Batman franchise is set outside of the DCU's first slate of projects titled Gods and Monsters. While Part II was delayed a number of times, that world expanded thanks to the spinoff series The Penguin (which is streaming with an HBO Max subscription). Colin Farrell recently shared that he was unsure about whether or not a second season should happen, and I'm torn on whether or not I agree.

The Batman: Part II is one of the most highly anticipated upcoming DC movies, but it's going to be a long time coming before it arrives in theaters. The Penguin helped to buoy fan excitement, and was even nominated for Emmy Awards. While speaking with Deadline, Farrell addressed the possibility of a second season, offering:

Despite the praise both Farrell and The Penguin has received, it sounds like feelings are mixed on whether or not Season 2 is a good idea. After all, a new batch of episodes would have to meet the high expectations set by the first one. So perhaps it might be better for the show's legacy to leave it alone and continue the franchise on the big screen.

While The Penguin reignited my interest in The Batman franchise, I also understand the Farrell's feelings of reticence. There's a risk in trying to capture the same magic a second time, especially after how wildly successful Season 1 was. Later in the same interview, the 49 year-old actor spoke about how he could be convinced to play the Oswald Cobblepot on the small screen again.

I guess it all depends on what type of story comes together for The Penguin Season 2. If this show doesn't return for a sophomore installment, then I'm really hoping Cristin Milioti's Sofia Falcone gets to transition to the big screen in The Batman: Part II. She offered a truly outstanding performance in the DC show, and is a big reason why it was such a huge success. So if we're not getting more episodes, there NEEDS to be another way to bring Sofia back.

The Penguin and The Batman are streaming now on HBO Max, and the silver screen sequel is currently expected to arrive in theaters on October 1st, 2027. Since we won't even be able to see it as part of the 2026 movie release list moviegoers are going to have to be patient.

Now that the summer box office has packed its bags, and we’re heading into the fall season, I recently took a look at what’s left on the 2025 movie release schedule. I made a list of the top five films I’m most looking forward to, and I’m surprised that a movie I just learned about this month made the cut. I’m talking about Margot Robbie’s first post-Barbie movie, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey.

One Movie Just Made My Most-Anticipated List For The Last Third Of 2025

I think it’s always fun to check out what movies are coming up, and determine what I’m most looking forward to each season, because it reminds me of what's out there, and it’s always fun to see what I loved and disliked in retrospect. Here’s what I’ve decided are my most-anticipated movies as I await the last third of the year:

1. Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein
2. The Running Man
3. Wicked: Part 2
4. A Big Bold Beautiful Journey
5. Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery

First off, Guillermo del Toro is one of my favorite directors of all time and Frankenstein is one of those novels I’ll never forget reading, so I’m very excited for his take on the film. That had to take the top spot. Then there’s The Running Man, which is a dystopian sci-fi action movie helmed by another Mount Rushmore filmmaker of mine, Edgar Wright. As a huge fan of Wicked, of course its second part is high on my list, but I was surprised a movie I just found out about takes spot No. 4 above Rian Johnson’s Wake Up Dead Man.

Why I Have A Good Feeling About A Big Bold Beautiful Journey

I just happened upon A Big Bold Beautiful Journey while watching previews in movie theaters. I had vaguely heard about it, but it wasn’t until I saw the trailer (which you can watch on YouTube) that I understood what it’s about. It’s about a pair of strangers, who look to have some budding chemistry that happen upon a string of doors in unexpected places that allow each of them to relive their lives so far.

I’ve been on my own journey to watch more life-affirming movies, especially after seeing The Life Of Chuck earlier this year, and realizing that they are my favorite sorts of movies. A Big Bold Beautiful Journey looks like a really smart and emotional romance that features elements of magical realism and fantasy that will make it an epic experience worth seeing on the big screen.

What jumped out to me about the trailer is how packed it is with visual details and motifs that I think will make it a lot more unique than your typical romantic movie. It’s also directed by Koganda, a South Korean filmmaker who has made two stunning and thought-provoking movies thus far in Columbus and After Yang.

That’s all without mentioning Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell being at the center of it, after both actors have proven to me that I can absolutely trust what projects they sign up for and not be disappointed. I really think that A Big Bold Beautiful Journey’s release could be a really lovely surprise for movie fans once it comes out on September 19.

The comic book genre continues to be popular, and a few properties live outside of the major cinematic universes. Matt Reeves' The Batman isn't part of the DCU's first slate of projects (titled Gods and Monsters), allowing it to craft its own story. The long-delayed sequel is one of the most highly anticipated upcoming DC movies, although Colin Farrell revealed why it'll be worth it. And yes, he's finally gotten the script.

What we know about The Batman: Part II is limited, but fans who spent years watching the DC movies in order are invested... especially after the TV spinoff The Penguin arrived for those with an HBO Max subscription. Colin Farrell plays that beloved DC villain, and recently spoke to MTV about Part II's development. First he shared:

Do you hear that sound? It's DC fans everywhere cheering that The Batman 2's script is finally done. With the cast finally getting their eyes on it, Matt Reeves' sequel has never felt more real. Hopefully we get some information about the narrative of that developing movie sooner rather than later.

The Batman: Part II was delayed a number of times because the script wasn't ready, so the fact that it's starting to get distributed is thrilling step forward. Unfortunately at the time of this interview Farrell hadn't actually read it, so he couldn't tease what's coming for the cast. But the 49 year-old actor did explain why he thinks the sequel will be worth the wait, offering:

Some solid points were made. While Reeves and James Gunn could have green lit a sequel to The Batman with a weak script, that's not what happened. Instead they kept working at it until the story of Part II was properly cracked. And Farrell was one of just a handful of people who is getting access to the script at this point.

The finale of The Penguin teased that Farrell's title character would soon reunite with Robert Pattinson Batman, as the Batsignal was shown above Gotham City. Fans who watched the show are hoping it has real connections to The Batman: Part II, and I'm particularly hoping we get to see appearance by Cristin Miloti's Sofia Falcone... especially after she was recently nominated for an Emmy Award for her performance.

DC Fans will get their answers when The Batman: Part II hits theaters on October 1, 2027, so we're likely going to be kept in the dark for the foreseeable future. For now fans can re-watch the original and The Penguin on HBO Max.

Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell have been spending plenty of time together promoting their new fantasy romance A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, which will soon hit the 2025 movie schedule, and the Barbie star couldn’t help but rave about a certain side of her co-star that the world needs to see more of: his hidden song-and-dance skills. Comparisons to High School Musical and Zac Efron were made, and I cannot get enough.

In a recent chat shared on Fandango's Instagram, Robbie may have given the world the most unexpected crossover compliment of the year. She explained:

The interviewer didn’t miss a beat, chiming in and saying, “The new Zac Efron right here,” to which the Harley Quinn actress quickly responded:

Farrell acending to become the “new Zac Efron” probably wasn’t on anyone’s 2025 bingo card, but it's a revelation all the same. Best known for his brooding performances in The Banshees of Inisherin and nearly unrecognizable as Oz, a.k.a. The Penguin, in The Batman and his Emmy-nominated Penguin miniseries (available with an HBO Max subscription), Farrell has never exactly been pitched as a Broadway-style song-and-dance man. Margot Robbie insists that might be a misread, however, and she seems genuinely convinced audiences will be blown away once they see him cut loose.

Of course, it wouldn’t be the first time Farrell has defied expectations. He earned an Oscar nomination for Banshees, carried action-heavy blockbusters like Miami Vice, and even lent his voice to family-friendly fare such as Dumbo. So while a full-blown musical number may sound improbable, with a co-star as enthusiastic as The Birds of Prey star vouching for him, it suddenly feels like the most inevitable twist in his already eclectic career.

For the moment, audiences will have to content themselves with Farrell’s next big swing in the world of romantic fantasy. He and Robbie share the screen in Kogonada’s A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, a film that kicks off with a chance meeting at a wedding and then veers into the extraordinary. According to the film’s synopsis, the two characters find themselves revisiting pivotal memories from their pasts—moments that shaped who they are now—and maybe, just maybe, discovering a way to reshape what lies ahead.

Colin Farrell may not be headlining High School Musical 4 anytime soon, but the “new Zac Efron” can be seen sharing the screen alongside Margot Robbie in A Big Bold Beautiful Journey when it hits theaters on Friday, September 19.

Margot Robbie welcomed her first baby last October, and it seems like he’s getting to tag along with mom now as she promotes her upcoming 2025 movie, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey. The actress recently hit the red carpet in a little black dress, and she’s been doing interviews ahead of the romantic fantasy’s September release. One of those interviews provided us with a delightful moment that showed her and co-star Colin Farrell reacting to her baby’s adorable interruption.

Kogonada’s A Big Bold Beautiful Journey stars Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell as strangers who take a magical journey through doors from their pasts. However, the actors had a bit of trouble focusing on that during a recent interview, thanks to the nearby infant, and I just love this moment between them and the Access Hollywood journalist when Robbie’s son makes an unexpected (vocal) cameo:

The Barbie star first apologizes for the distraction, and Colin Farrell laughs as he hilariously comments:

That could be taken as sarcasm, but I actually think all three involved were genuinely charmed by the outcries of the baby, whom Margot Robbie shares with her husband, Tom Ackerley. The reporter even appears to acknowledge how proud the mom is, asking, “Isn’t there a part of you that just wants to go, ‘Yes! That’s my baby right there!’” Robbie laughed and agreed:

I guess everyone’s mileage differs, but for me, is there a sound more pure than a baby babbling? I think it’s great that Margot Robbie is able to keep her son with her while she works, and to be shown such joy and grace by those around her is wonderful.

This is Margot Robbie’s first acting gig since Barbie, and after taking a few years for herself, fans are happy that she’s not stepping away from acting. Her latest project seems to be one that spoke to her, and she described the set as “comfortable” and explained that A Big Bold Beautiful Journey was “truly one of the most magical experiences of my life.”

It’s lovely that she’s getting to share a piece of that with her baby — undoubtedly another of her most magical experiences — and that we also got to listen in on what is possibly his very first interview.

Margot Robbie made another rare comment about motherhood in a recent interview with ET, telling the reporter (who was also a new mom):

Clearly, she's loving motherhood, and we're loving these rare peeks into her life as a new mom.

You can see Colin Farrell and Margot Robbie (but unfortunately no baby) in A Big Bold Beautiful Journey when it hits theaters on Friday, September 19.

Oswald “Oz” Cobb – of The Batman and its spinoff TV series, The Penguin, is one of the most distinctive-looking and engaging characters to ever grace a screen. So it’s wild to be reminded that in actuality, it’s just Colin Farrell under mountains of makeup and prosthetics. Farrell’s been real about “bitching and moaning” about the process of transforming into the character, but he really committed to the role, as evidenced by his 2025 Emmy nomination. Now, Farrell is recalling how he reacted upon seeing Matt Reeves’ OG rendering of OZ.

When it came to developing the world of The Batman, director and producer Matt Reeves wanted to create a universe that was true to the comics but also unique unto itself. Reeves’ take on Penguin isn’t the gentleman gangster of the comics, but he’s also not the grotesque, bird-like monster that Tim Burton imagined. Colin Farrell recently explained to Deadline Contenders at an HBO Max event that when he saw Reeves and prosthetics expert Mike Marino’s Oz, he was taken aback and humorously dropped an f-bomb:

Considering that the Irish actor is known to (delightfully) swear on certain occasions, I love the fact that he dropped the f-bomb when he saw what the eponymous Penguin would look like. Seriously, I can just hear the expletive as he would say it, and may have reacted in the same way upon seeing what Matt Reeves and Mike Marino had come up with. As the Oscar nominee mentioned, though, he was also “excited” and, during his interview, he further explained why he had those feelings:

I can still remember seeing the first good glimpse of Oz Cobb in the second trailer for The Batman, and I had to admit that Colin Farrell was completely unrecognizable in the role. Not only had his outward appearance changed, but his accent and body language were strikingly different as well. From the moment I heard the Gotham City-based gangster utter the words “take it easy, sweetheart” to the Dark Knight himself, I assumed fans were in for something special, and I was right. It’s cool to hear that the experience was so “liberating” for Farrell as a performer, and he certainly doesn’t waste any of his screentime when he’s playing Oz.

Of course, now, there’s the question as to whether Farrell will have the opportunity to reprise Cobb for another season of The Penguin. Matt Reeves and co. are remaining coy on that but, all the while, Farrell has made it clear that he’d only be “open” to it if there’s an idea truly worth pursuing. Otherwise, fans may not see Farrell play the role again until the long-awaited The Batman: Part II.

Regardless of what happens moving forward, I remain amazed over the creation of Oz Cobb – from both prosthetic and acting standpoints. I’m also excited to see if Matt Reeves and Mike Marino devise ideas for other makeup-heavy characters that can generate f-bombs upon the first look. For now, check out Colin Farrell’s sketchy character by streaming all eight episodes of The Penguin as well as The Batman using an HBO Max subscription.

Before, during and after The Penguin’s stellar run on HBO, the bulk of the conversation around Colin Farrell centered on how completely unrecognizable the actor was beneath all of his Oz Cobb prosthetics, while others were happy to focus on the character’s inherently evil nature. Not without provocation, either, since Oz was revealed to have committed one of the ultimate no-no crimes by setting up his brothers’ drowning deaths.

The Penguin’s near-perfect Season 1 finale truly upended any goodwill Oz built up via Victor’s tragic murder, Francis’ bed-ridden and catatonic prison, and his creepy Oedipal dancing with Eve Karlo. But should viewers have gone into that episode already condemning him for the deaths of brothers Jack and Benny? It depends on who you ask, since Farrell is of the belief that young Oz couldn’t have readily known how lethal his actions in the sewer tunnels would be.

Speaking at an FYC panel for the award-winning HBO series (via Variety), Farrell addressed his personal views when it comes to Oz having locked his brothers away in a jealous fit during that big storm. In his words:

Thank you! It's crossed my mind far more than once over the months since The Penguin aired that Oz could not have solely had cold-blooded murder on his mind at the time when he trapped his siblings in the tunnels. Like, as a fully grown adult fully versed in worst-case speculation, I can't mentally conceive how much water it would take to create drowning conditions, so I could easily grasp if Oz only thought he would be scaring the shit out of Jack and Benny, and not the life out of them.

So I thank Colin Farrel for making me feel somewhat justified in questioning Francis' and others assumptions that Oz 100% killed his brothers intentionally. I realize it's a thin line that also doubles as a slippery slope, and there are no clear winners here. It also seems clear to me that Oz maybe wasn't...smart enough to do what he did intentionally, but that's maybe just me projecting.

Of course, Oz's behavior in the aftermath didn't make him appear very contrite about having caused their deaths, intentionally or otherwise. Farrell even joked about going into a defensive stance when talking about Oz's past, saying:

A complex character that fans can't wait to see return in The Batman Part II, which is set to release in October 2027. With another TV season also potentially in the pipeline, Farrell's crime lord may return outside of Matt Reeves' feature films as well. Just don't expect me to defend him or have any sympathy for him next time. Probably.

I don’t know about you, but I’m excited to see It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia returning on the 2025 TV schedule. That feeling only grew after this year’s Abbott Elementary crossover, which will be continued in the upcoming Sunny Season 17 premiere this July. And after The Penguin star/acting champ Colin Farrell went viral for a moment where he only wanted to talk about FX’s hit comedy with Danny DeVito, I think he’d feel the same.

The Dumbo co-stars were gathered recently, as part of the current series of Variety’s Actors on Actors. So naturally, a lot of Penguin talk came up, including Mr. DeVito’s candid Batman Returns thoughts about working with Michelle Pfeiffer. But roughly 14 minutes into the interview, Farrell flat out changed the subject with this charming pivot:

For a good couple of minutes, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia dominated the conversation between these two DC villains. And rightfully so, as the stories Danny DeVito tells about the genesis of character Frank Reynolds alone are worthy of this moment.

Then again, as you’ll see in the rest of the interview, the Tim Burton vets have a great fondness for each other. Nowhere is that more apparent than in a moment towards the opening of this interview, in which Danny DeVito admits to Colin Farrell how much he missed him.

While some aren’t as taken with their 2019 live-action Dumbo remake - currently available to stream with a Disney+ subscription - I’d say you have to at least give the film credit for forging this beautiful friendship.

Though I’m not totally sure if Colin Farrell is a Sunny fan, he seems pretty enthusiastic about talking it up. And one would think that there’s always room to create a character for the Sugar star to step in for, whether Mr. Farrell uses his natural-born accent or another of his choosing.

It certainly would beat some of The Penguin Season 2 concerns the star has over potentially reprising his character. Plus, there just might be a gap between Sugar Season 2 and the next season of Sunny that could make it happen, provided the minds behind the long-running cable satire want it to happen.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 17 kicks off on July 9th on FX and Hulu. But don’t forget you can also revisit all 16 seasons on streaming. And for those of you looking to watch The Penguin Season 1, you can accomplish that with access to an HBO Max subscription.

There will always be debates over who the best live-action Batman was on the big screen, but, with apologies to Anne Hathaway and Zoë Kravitz, I’m not sure there’s any real argument over who the best on-screen Catwoman has been. It has to have been Michelle Pfeiffer in Batman Returns.

Pfeiffer’s Catwoman was absolutely iconic, though her wearing a skintight body suit may have had a lot to do with that. One person who clearly loved Pfeiffer in Batman Returns was her co-star Danny DeVito. In the new Actors on Actors from Variety, DeVito talks with modern Penguin Colin Farrell, and he admits that he would go the extra mile if he knew he was sharing a scene with the actress. DeVito said…

Michelle Pfeiffer was only brought in to play Selena Kyle in Batman Returns after Annette Bening became pregnant and couldn’t play the role. Pfeffer went on to create the version of Catwoman that all others would be compared to. It is almost certainly one of the sexiest performances in any comic book movie. DeVito says he loved working with the iconic actress, and can’t help but mention the sex appeal element, saying…

To be clear, DeVito isn’t talking about himself lusting after Michelle Pfeiffer here. He’s pointing out that lusting after Catwoman was part of his character, Oswald Cobblepot. Having said that, it doesn’t sound like the actor minded much. When asked by Colin Farrell how the actress might have felt about all this, DeVito thinks Michelle Pfeiffer enjoyed it all. He added...

To be fair, everybody is lusting after Catwoman in Batman Returns, it’s very much intentional, as Selina Kyle uses her sex appeal to her advantage throughout the film. It’s a significant part of the movie, and also a significant part of the reason that many parents, and corporate sponsors, were upset with Batman Returns. It was seen as too mature regarding both sex and violence for a Batman movie, and led to the major realignment of tone that we would see under Joel Schumacher with Batman Forever and Batman & Robin.

Danny DeVito clearly loved making Batman Returns, and the rest of us still love watching it. It’s one of the best, if not the best, big-screen Batman adventures to date. That’s not entirely because Michelle Pfeiffer is so unforgettable, but it certainly doesn’t hurt.

Colin Farrell already has more than enough DC Comics media cred from his Golden Globe-winning performance as Oz Cobb in The Penguin, but in the last few month, we’ve learned he’s been making moves to join the new DC Universe franchise. Back in March, it was reported that Farrell was on deck to replace Daniel Craig in Sgt. Rock. However, word’s now come in that this upcoming DC movie is no longer moving forward, which arguably marks the first major setback for the James Gunn-spearheaded DCU.

This update comes to us from The Wrap, which reports that Sgt. Rock is no longer set to film this summer in England. No specific reasoning was officially provided for why the shoot has been scrapped, though one insider who spoke with THR said the publication stated that it “came down to the project’s scheduling needs of shooting outdoors.” Another insider claimed that there was concern from the DC brass about director Luca Guadagnino’s ability to tackle an action-heavy movie like this.

Although the DC Universe certainly hasn’t faced challenges since James Gunn and Peter Safran, who run DC Studios together, announced the franchise in early 2023, this is the first time one of its projects has been outright cancelled. That being said, there is a little glimmer of hope. The article mentions that Sgt. Rock would be “re-assessed” at the end of this year and potentially get back off the ground for a summer 2026 shoot.

Otherwise, this version of Sgt. Rock has been set aside. Even if the 2026 shoot happens, there’s no guarantee that Colin Farrell and/or Luca Guadagnino would still be able to work on it. If Sgt. Rock ends up being revived, I wouldn’t be surprised if a new director and lead actor are tapped to replace them. Who knows, maybe this could be how Jeremy Allen White actually gets involved.

THR’s report mentioned that Sgt. Rock was early on into the casting process before the shutdown occurred. Just like in the comics. Colin Farrell’s version of the title character was going to lead the combat unit Easy Company to bring the hurt to Nazis during World War II. Mike Faist, who worked with Luca Guadagnino on Challengers, was reportedly being lined up for a role. The publication’s sources also said there would be a female French Resistance fighter as a major character.

The good news is that even with Sgt. Rock being put on ice, there’s still a way to see him and Easy Company in action in the DC Universe. The soldiers appeared in the third episode of Creature Commandos Season 1, which can be streamed with a Max subscription. As far as the wider DC Universe goes, Superman kicks off the cinematic side of the franchise on July 11, and then Peacemaker Season 2 hits the 2025 TV schedule in August.

While none of us were expecting The Penguin Season 2 to be added to the roster of upcoming DC TV shows any time soon, the chances of Oswald Cobb’s return before The Batman: Part II look to have gotten a bit slimmer. That’s thanks to its award winning lead Colin Farrell looking to step into the shoes of Daniel Craig, or rather his combat boots.

After director Luca Guadagnino’s collaborator dropped out of Sgt. Rock, it appears that none other than Mr. Farrell himself is now in talks. That announcement comes per reporting out of Deadline, which states that the man of the hour is willing to go to war for DC Studios, but figuring out if he’ll be able and available is the true question.

One has to wonder if the previous reports of The Bear’s Jeremy Allen White’s potential Sgt. Rock casting went without follow-ups for similar reasons. For now, Colin Farrell’s scheduling concerns seem to only consist of the return to his Apple TV+ series Sugar, as well as Edward Berger’s upcoming film The Ballad of a Small Player.

While that doesn’t seem like a lot to worry about, the steam DCU Chapter 1: “Gods and Monsters” has gathered at this moment is what’s more than likely driving the momentum in finding this picture’s lead. So we might not want to get our hopes up for a signing just yet. At the same time, should Mr. Farrell enlist for Sgt. Rock, there’s a good chance that the somewhat grounded World War II veteran won’t require much prosthetic work.

The creation of DC Comics writer Robert Kanigher and artist Joe Kubert, Sgt. Franklin John Rock has been adapted into animated projects, as well as progressed through various loose or unrealized live-action attempts. Max subscription holders are the most recent group of fans to have a brush with Colin Farrell’s potential new gig, thanks to Creature Commandos’ G.I. Robot flashback involving Sgt. Rock in Season 1.

It’s that last performance, through voice actor Maury Sterling, that has fans talking at the moment. As we’ve seen through Frank Grillo’s live-action casting as Rick Flag Sr., the new incarnation of the DCU is going to have actors that play their respective roles in animation and live-action. So could this mean that before his cinematic debut comes to pass, Colin Farrell might voice Sgt. Rock’s titular protagonist for animated DC projects?

Admittedly, that’s a question we’ll have to be patient about. With this good soldier already on the third speculated name to play him on the big screen, anything can happen at this point. In the meantime, we’ll be able to see Colin Farrell next in the 2025 movie A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, co-starring Barbie’s Margot Robbie, as that’s slated to bow in theaters on September 19th.

Although we still have over two and a half years to go until the release of The Batman: Part II, it wasn’t too long ago that the shared universe known as the Batman Epic Crime Saga expanded with The Penguin. Airing on HBO and streaming with a Max subscription, the series saw Colin Farrell reprising Oz Cobb following his debut in The Batman and the actor collected a lot of accolades for his performance, including a Golden Globe win. In fact, the show as a whole was so successful that there’s been talk about if The Penguin Season 2 will happen, but Farrell feels ambivalent about this happening, and I agree with where he’s coming from.

At the Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday, where he won the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series category for The Penguin, Colin Farrell told Variety that although he’s not 100% against the idea of working on a second season, he’s also not particularly eager to do it either. In his words:

He’s not wrong. How do you top near perfection? Ok, that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but there’s no question that The Penguin was a critical success. Ranking at a 95% Tomatometer and 88% Popcornmeter on Rotten Tomatoes, this show’s detractors are few and far between, and Cristin Milioti’s performance as Sofia Falcone was also acclaimed, amongst other talent. Why risk making Season 2 if the quality isn’t guaranteed to be just as good as Season 1’s, if not better?

Even ignoring the great reviews, it could be argued that The Penguin doesn’t need to continue narratively. Oz Cobb gained the power he so desperately craved, and all after he arranged for Sofia Falcone to be arrested, murdered his right-hand man Victor and left his mother, Francis, in a vegetative state. Talk about an ending that sticks with you, as uncomfortable as it was. Sure, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t interested in Cristin Milioti’s idea of following along with Sofia breaking out of Arkham and exacting revenge, but I don’t know if that’s enough to warrant eight more episodes being ordered.

Besides, we already know that Colin Farrell will be back for The Batman: Part II on October 1, 2027, so it’s not like we’re never going to see Oz Cobb again. But hey, maybe the right idea handled by the right writers and helmed by the right director could come along that would make The Penguin Season 2 a worthwhile endeavor. If that happens, I’ll tune in week after week to see how it turns out.

As we’re nearing the end of this year’s run of award shows ahead of the 97th Academy Awards, the SAG Awards premiered on Netflix last night amid the streaming schedule. With Kristen Bell as host for the second time, the night was filled with memorable moments, heartfelt speeches and unexpected laughs. Jamie Lee Curtis brought hilarity to the night by calling out Colin Farrell for allegedly giving her COVID as she presented him an award, and the Irish actor humorously responded.

Colin Farrell is apparently the third Batman actor to land an award from the Screen Actors Guild for his completely unrecognizable performance lead performance on HBO's The Penguin. He specifically take home the SAG Award for Outstanding Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie. It was a momentous occasion on its own but, as Page Six's Instagram video showed, it was enhanced by the joke made by the Halloween icon beforehand. Check out her barb as well as Farrell's reaction below:

Well, it looks like the Irish actor did indeed acknowledge that he did indeed give Jamie Lee Curtis COVID. This prevented the Everything Everywhere All At Once actress from going to 2023's BAFTAs and the Critics Choice Awards. On the bright side, at least she was well enough to accept her first Oscar for the A24 movie. Farrell also made it clear that his Banshees of Inisherin co-star, Brendan Gleeson, gave COVID to him first and amusingly said was just "spreading the love."

I can imagine that, at the time, the COVID diagnoses weren't fun for either of the actors. So I find it delightful that they can view the situations with humor now.

The 2022-2023 awards season was successful for both Colin Farrell and Jamie Lee Curtis. Farrell’s Banshees of Inisherin was a serious Academy Awards contender that year, and he won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy and was nominated for an Oscar. Aside from her aforementioned Academy Award, Curtis also received a ton of accolades for EEAAO, including a SAG Award.

Both Colin Farrell and Jamie Lee Curtis have plenty to look forward to this year. The Lobster actor will be starring in the upcoming film A Big Bold Beautiful Journey with Margot Robbie. His Apple TV+ series, Sugar, has also been renewed for a second season. As for Curtis, she's reprising Dr. Tess Colman in the long-awaited sequel Freakier Friday. She'll also be starring in James L. Brooks’ Ella McCay and co-producing the Apple TV+ movie The Lost Bus.

As a fan, I love that these two are thriving and appear to be healthy years after their respective bouts with COVID. It was truly hilarious to see Jamie Lee Curtis. call out her peer, but kudos to Colin Farrell for owning up to it (and humorously throwing another co-star under the bus). You can watch every memorable moment from the 31st Annual SAG Awards by streaming the show with a Netflix subscription.

As of this writing, it’s been four months since The Penguin concluded its run on HBO, and something I still can’t get over from the finale is the tragic fate that befell Rhenzy Feliz’s Victor Aguilar. Despite staying loyal to Colin Farrell’s Oz Cobb for the entirety of their time together, the enemy of Robert Pattinson’s Batman strangled the young man to death simply because he considered Oz like family. Not only was it a haunting moment for people watching The Penguin live or streaming afterwards with a Max subscription, it also came with a specific challenge for Feliz, though Farrell’s Oz look ended up helping him nail performing Vic’s demise.

CinemaBlend’s own Laura Hurley spoke with the actor during SCAD TVfest, and among the things she asked him was what he found the most challenging about performing his death scene in “A Great or Little Thing.” Feliz brought up how wanting to bring some extra authenticity to the scene ended up being more difficult for him than he anticipated:

We could have easily seen Oz simply shoot Vic or even stab him, but the strangulation added a personal touch, figuratively and literally, that made Vic’s death that much more uncomfortable to watch. Had Vic not told Oz how much he cared about him, he’d likely still be alive and helping The Penguin’s title character run his criminal empire. Instead, Oz felt like having family made him weak, so he killed his second-in-command to eliminate this personal connection… permanently. It’s almost like you could feel the life leaving Vic’s body, and Rhenzy Feliz went the extra mile to make it look authentic by going as far as was possible to make himself feel like he was actually being strangled.

Laura then asked Feliz if it was also easier to sell Vic’s death when the Golden Globe-winning Colin Farrell was wearing all that Oz Cobb costuming and makeup, and he confirmed that was indeed the case, saying:

Victor Aguilar might have had a bright ahead of him had he not gotten attached to Oz Cobb, but he did, and now his story’s done. Oz’s story, however, is nowhere near finishing. Not only is Colin Farrell expected to reprise the character in The Batman: Part II, but there’s been talk about The Penguin Season 2 happening, even though it was originally conceived as a limited series. So now Rhenzy Feliz gets to see what happens to this detestable and evil man like the rest of us: as a fan on the big screen and maybe even the small one too.

We’ll let you know if The Penguin Season 2 ends up being added to the official slate of upcoming DC TV shows. For now, The Batman: Part II is currently set on the upcoming DC movies schedule for October 1, 2027.

2024 was filled with some excellent TV performances, and one that truly made an impression was Colin Farrell’s turn as the titular character on The Penguin. It was expected that the actor and his collaborators would eventually receive some awards recognition, so it wasn’t surprising when the series scored awards nods. Farrell was ultimately among the 2025 Golden Globe winners this weekend. Now, I’m just loving his funny response to becoming the third Batman actor to win the award after Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix.

Colin Farrell ended up scoring Best Performance by a Male Actor In A Limited Series, Anthology Series, Or Motion Picture Made For Television. The 48-year-old Irish actor gave a spirited acceptance speech, at which point he thanked the DC Studios show’s cast and crew as well as craft services. During the post-win press conference, Farrell addressed journalists, humbly expressing gratitude for the honor. Check out his answer to a question in this clip shared to Instagram by CBS Mornings:

I really love these comments from the lead of the Penguin cast, and they really speak to his character not just as an actor but as a person. What I really love, though, is that quip referencing the fact that the other two actors he’s now in the company of portrayed the Joker. In case you somehow missed it, the Banshees of Inishirin star said the following when informed of where he now stands in proximity to his peers:

Over the years, the Widows alum has proven to be quite witty, so those sentiments certainly track for him. That aside, the star is also known for being sincere, and the fact that he paid tribute to both Joaquin Phoenix and the late Heath Ledger while addressing the media was incredibly sweet. Both Ledger and Phoenix certainly left their own marks on the Batman mythos, and the same is definitely true when it comes to the In Bruges star and his work.

Colin Farrell’s portrayal of Oz Cobb in 2022’s The Batman was praised, though the star truly shined in the role during the acclaimed spinoff series. In fact, the show proved to be so popular during its eight-episode run during the end of 2024 that it’s been speculated that the limited series could become an ongoing show. That’s yet to be confirmed, as of this writing, but there may be reason to be hopeful. Months ago, EP Matt Reeves made fans optimistic after he noted that some early conversations regarding new episodes had taken place.

Whatever the case may be when it comes to a second season of the HBO series, the Sugar star’s performance as Oz will surely be talked about for years to come. Plus, fans can also look forward to seeing him reprise his role as the slimy Gotham City gangster in the upcoming The Batman sequel. Should the actor continue to crush the part, there’s certainly the chance that he could transform the Penguin into a prestige role not unlike what Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix did with Joker.

You can stream all episodes of The Penguin now using a Max subscription. You can also use that membership to stream The Dark Knight and the two Joker films to check out the award-winning portrayals of the Clown Prince of Crime.

Great actors don't need a lot of makeup or total body transformations to improve their performance, but when you get the combination of a great and those things, the effect can be amazing. Sometimes the effect is so good the actors become completely unrecognizable, like the examples in this list where actors like Jared Leto and Gary Oldman were completely transformed for roles.

Jared Leto - House Of Gucci

It's fair to say that House Of Gucci was, at best, an uneven movie. It was a daunting challenge for everyone involved and none more so than Jared Leto. Leto played the legendary Paolo Gucci, and while his accent was a little shaky, his look and his mannerisms were completely on point. It's one heck of a transformation.

Charlize Theron - Monster

There is no more intense transformation for a role than Charlize Theron's performance as real-life serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster. Theron completely embodies the monster that Wuoronos was, while also subtly allowing the audience to understand how the killer became the way she was. Theron rightfully won an Academy Award for her portrayal of the brutal murderer.

Christian Bale - Vice

Christian Bale is one of the best actors of his generation and he's never been afraid to alter his look for a performance. The Machinist is one excellent example, but even that transformation pales in comparison to the way he completely became Dick Cheney in Vice. Not only does he look just like the former vice president, but he nails his speech pattern and mannerisms as well. It's remarkable.

Lily James - Pam & Tommy

When Lily James was cast as Pamela Anderson in Pam & Tommy it raised a few eyebrows. The actress seemed like a complete opposite in every way, especially her looks, as the blonde bombshell. Yet, when the movie came out, people were amazed at how well James pulled it off. No, it's not the best movie, but James was the spitting image of Anderson.

Gary Oldman - True Romance

One actor who is truly a master of disguise is Gary Oldman. He seemingly looks completely different in almost every role he plays. One of the most astounding transformations was early in his career when he played a pimp in True Romance. He literally looks and sounds nothing like himself in the film, to the point where if you didn't know it was him, you'd never guess.

Jessica Chastain - The Eyes of Tammy Faye

You know when a film wins the Academy Award for Best Makeup and Best Actress, the role is going to be special. Such is the case for Jessica Chastain in The Eyes of Tammy Faye. Chastain is completely unrecognizable in the role of the wife of the infamous Jim Bakker and is simply incredible in the movie.

Margot Robbie - I, Tonya

Turning Margot Robbie into a street tough figure skater like Tonya Harding is no easy feet. Through a combination of incredible makeup work and even better acting, Robbie completely disappears into the notorious skater made famous for her part in attacking her rival Nancy Kerrigan before the 1994 Olympics.

Glenn Close - Hook

Steven Spielberg's 1991 Hook isn't generally remembered as the legendary director's best work, but it is chock full of fun cameos and one of the hardest to spot is Glenn Close. The actress plays one of the pirates on Captain Hook's ship and if you don't look closely, you'll never notice the multiple Oscar nominee under the beard and makeup turning her into a male pirate.

Tilda Swinton - Trainwreck

The most remarkable thing about Tilda Swinton's transformation in the rom-com Trainwreck is just how conventional she looks. Swinton has one of the most unique looks in Hollywood and most of the time that look is enhanced by the roles she plays, it's part of what makes her so great. Her "normal" look in Trainwreck is made remarkable by that,

Mike Myers - Bohemian Rhapsody

Mike Myers took a long hiatus from acting in the 2010s and when he returned in Bohemian Rhapsody, audiences had to do a triple-check to make sure it was him in the role of a record executive arguing with Queen about the song that the movie is named after. With sunglasses and a full blonde beard, Myers looked nothing like his normal sense and his performance was excellent.

Colin Farrell - The Batman/The Penguin

When the trailer first dropped for The Batman, people were astounded at how Colin Farrell looked as Penguin. When the movie came out and we all watched his performance, it was even more shocking (in a great way). When he took the role to HBO for the TV show named after the character, we were all completely lost in it, because he was just so great. Though he says the suit and makeup aren't worth it, we have a feeling he'll be back as the Gotham-based villain.

50 Cent - All Things Fall Apart

50 Cent has proven to be quite the actor. The rapper has branched out into producing, even. Perhaps his best performance was as the fallen football star in All Things Fall Apart. His body transformation to play a pro athlete in peak physical condition who falls victim to cancer is incredible

Sarah Paulson - Impeachment: American Crime Story

Sarah Paulson knows how to completely disappear into a role. She was as incredible as Marsha Clark in The People Vs. OJ Simpson and she was even more remarkable as Linda Tripp in Impeachment: American Crime Story. Seriously, if you didn't know it was her, you'd never guess. She looks more like Tripp than Paulson in every way.

Billy Bob Thornton In U-Turn

Billy Bob Thorton is one of the most fun actors to watch in everything he is in. Take, for example, his role in Sling Blade, in which he looks completely different from himself. Another fine example is as the mechanic in U-Turn with Sean Penn. If it wasn't for his distinctive voice, you'd never know it was him.

Eddie Murphy - Coming To America

For a while there, Eddie Murphy made it his job to look completely different in his movies like The Nutty Professor, but at no point in any of those movies did he transform quite like he did to play the Jewish guy who hung out in the barbershop in Coming To America. Even his role as the barber in the movie was more recognizable. We also have to give props to Arsenio Hall for his various roles in the movie as well.

Mia Goth - X

Mia Goth playing the elderly Pearl in X is fantastic. Though you can tell it's her as Maxine, if you just walked in on the movie as those scenes of her as the older Pearl was playing, you'd never know who it is.

Tom Hardy - Bronson

Tom Hardy has never been shy about taking on challenging roles that require him to transform completely. He changes so much, that you almost feel like you don't know what he actually looks like in real life. Bronson is one of his finest transformations as he looks way more like the notorious British prisoner than like himself in the movie. It's so much more than just a mustache, that's for sure.

Donnie Wahlberg - The Sixth Sense

Mark Wahlberg may be the more famous brother, but Donnie Wahlberg also has some incredible acting chops and his performance comes in his minor-ish role in The Sixth Sense. It's clear that the former (and current) New Kid On The Block lost a ton of weight for his haunting performance in the movie.

Steve Carell - Foxcatcher

Murderer John du Pont of the famous du Pont family was a unique-looking guy. In Foxcatcher, Steve Carell completely embodies that uniqueness, It's almost unsettling how much Carell looks like du Pont and not like himself in the disturbing movie about the murder the scion of the wealthy family committed in 1997.

Cate Blanchett — I’m Not There

The legendary Bob Dylan has been played on screen a few times and remarkably the actor that pulled off his look and mannerism best is the amazing Cate Blanchett in I’m Not There. Of all the actors who play a version of the folk singer, Blancett is the most convincing and she looks nothing like herself in the movie.

Zac Efron - The Iron Claw

Early in his career Zac Efron was kind of typecast as the goofy good-looking guy. In 2023's The Iron Claw he completely upends that as he embodied the late Kerry Von Erich in the fantastic biopic about wrestling's first family, the Von Erichs

Renée Zellweger - The Thing About Pam

After a little bit of a career lull that included a four-year break from acting, Renée Zellweger returned in a big way in the late 2010s, culminating in an Oscar-winning performance as Judy Garland in 2019's Judy, which completely revived her career. Her best was yet to come because despite not getting the same accolades in the press, her performance as murderer Pam Hupp in The Thing About Pam was a complete transformation

Jared Leto - Chapter 27

Turning someone as good-looking as Jared Leto into someone as despised as the man who killed John Lennon is no easy feat. Leto's performance as Mark David Chapman is incredible and even though the movie has flown under the radar for years, it's worth seeking out just to see how different Leto can look from himself.

Missi Pyle - Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story

How do you take a beautiful woman like Missi Pyle and make her look like a deranged Eastern European dodgeball player? Ask the makeup department for Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. The work they did, along with Pyle's acting, was amazing. There's no way to know it was her in any way unless you double-check the credits.

Sebastian Stan - A Different Man

A Different Man tells the hilarious and heartwarming tale of a struggling actor with a condition known as neurofibromatosis. Sebastian Stan plays the actor under a whole ton of wonderful makeup and despite the obvious limitation that makeup puts on the actor, Stan puts in a career-defining performance.

Chris Hemsworth - Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

While it isn't the most extreme example on this list, Chris Hemsworth's look in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is amazing. The only reason you really know it's him is that he uses his natural Aussie accent in the movie, which he doesn't do all that much these days. He's even won awards for the performance!

Ryan Reynolds - Blade: Trinity

Okay, we'll admit this isn't the biggest transformation on this list, but you can't deny that Ryan Reynolds has a completely different, more sinister look in Blade: Trinity. It's way different from what you expect from a standard Reynolds performance.

Nicole Kidman - Birth

Nicole Kidman is an amazing actress, but she's not one of those actors you expect to completely change her look for a role. Her part in Birth shows that she certainly can do that, and do it in spectacular ways.

Robert De Niro - Raging Bull

Robert De Niro famously put on a ton of weight for his role as Al Capone in The Untouchables. He also got completely jacked for Cape Fear. He did both for his incredible performance in Raging Bull. As a young Jake LaMotta he was cut and fit and as an older version of the boxer, he was flabby and overweight. Either way, De Niro looks less like himself and more like the real-life boxer. He certainly deserved the Oscar he won for the role.

Margot Robbie - Mary, Queen of Scots

Mary, Queen of Scots had a unique look that was only enhanced by the odd style of 16th Century Scotland. Still, Margot Robbie nails the look of the queen in a way that leaves the audience squinted to see if it's really the Australian actress.

Gary Oldman - The Darkest Hour

No one transforms quite like Gary Oldman. He's completely different in every role he plays and in The Darkest Hour, he completely embodies his role as Winston Churchill. It's not just the makeup, though that is perfect, it's also the voice and mannerisms he brings to the role that makes you believe you're actually watching the legendary prime minister.

Charlize Theron - Bombshell

Bombshell is one of those movies where you might think you're watching the real-life characters that the cast of Bombshell are playing. Charlize Theron's portrayal of former Fox News reporter Megyn Kelly tops the performances. It's pitch-perfect in every way.

I cannot count how many times Scrubs has come up when discussing the best TV sitcoms of all time. Over the course of nine seasons (and two networks), the Zach Braff-led medical comedy introduced audiences to some of the most iconic and endearing small-screen characters of the past 25 years, as well as some legendary celebrity guests. With Academy Award winners, Star Wars alumni, and on-the-rise comedians, Sacred Heart Hospital was a hopping place when these 32 actors popped up on Scrubs.

Brendan Fraser

Though Brendan Fraser is best known for roles in movies like The Mummy, The Whale, and Encino Man, the Oscar winner played a small yet pivotal role as Ben Sullivan on Scrubs. Dr. Cox’s (John C. McGinley) brother-in-law, Ben was at the center of several of the best episodes of Scrubs as well as one of the most emotional TV moments of all time. Seriously, Ben is one of the best characters to ever appear on the show, which is saying a lot.

Michael J. Fox

One of several Spin City cast members to show up on Scrubs, Michael J. Fox appeared in a pair of episodes during the show’s third season. Taking on the role of Dr. Kevin Casey, a confident and talented doctor and surgeon dealing with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Ryan Reynolds

Before he was leading some of the best Marvel movies and showing up in great romantic comedies, Ryan Reynolds had a one-off appearance on Scrubs. Showing up in the show’s second season, Reynolds played Spence, J.D. (Zach Braff) and Turk’s (Donald Faison) college friend who comes to visit while in town for a wedding.

Courteney Cox

A few years after Friends came to an end and a few months before Cougar Town premiered, Courteney Cox had a brief fun on Scrubs. During her handful of appearances in the show’s eighth season, Cox played Dr. Taylor Maddox, the new Sacred Heart chief of medicine following Dr. Kelso’s (Ken Jenkins) sudden departure.

Dick Van Dyke

Probably the Scrubs celebrity guest with the most prolific career, Dick Van Dyke showed up for a single episode partway through the show’s second season. The legendary actor/singer/dancer took on the role of Dr. Doug Townshend, a Sacred Heart doctor who no longer wanted to stick around and keep up with technology and decided to retire.

Elizabeth Banks

In terms of guest spots, few actors appeared in as many episodes as Elizabeth Banks. Between Seasons 5 and 8, Banks popped up in a total of 15 episodes as Dr. Kim Briggs, a urologist at another hospital who eventually became the mother of J.D.’s son before it was all said and done.

Colin Farrell

Colin Farrell was just about everywhere in the 2000s, including Scrubs. The In Bruges actor played Billy Callahan, an Irishman who was sticking around to watch over a man he knocked out in a bar fight, partway through Season 4. Though his arrival caused a stir at Sacred Heart, it all eventually worked out in the end.

Aziz Ansari

Before he became one of the biggest comedians on the planet thanks to Parks and Recreation and Master of None, Aziz Ansari had a supporting role on Scrubs. Ansari appeared throughout the show’s eighth season where he played Dr. Ed Dhandapani, one of J.D.’s young interns, and possibly the laziest person at Sacred Heart.

Heather Graham

A major player throughout Scrubs Season 4, Heather Graham took on the role of Dr. Molly Clock, a psychiatrist at Sacre Heart who kept referring to J.D. as “Johnny.” She appeared in nine episodes during her single-season run on the show.

Billy Dee Williams

Billy Dee Williams, of Star Wars and Brian’s Song fame, showed up in a single episode of Scrubs Season 5. But like other guest stars, Williams played himself, or at least a version that was Julie Quinn’s (Mandy Moore) godfather.

Matthew Perry

The late Matthew Perry (appearing alongside his real-life father, John Bennett Perry) showed up for an episode of Scrubs back in the show’s fourth season. In his one-off appearance, Perry played Murray Marks, a man who comes to Sacred Heart Hospital to donate a kidney to his ailing father.

Mandy Moore

Several years before she led another all-time great NBC series, This Is Us, Mandy Moore showed up on Scrubs as Julie Quinn. Though she only appeared on a pair of episodes during the show’s fifth season, Moore’s character made quite an impact on the staff at Sacred Heart, especially J.D. Their romance was short-lived, but one the hopeless romantic doctor wouldn’t forget.

Richard Kind

Harvey Corman is definitely one of the most iconic (and annoying) guest characters on Scrubs, and that’s all thanks to the brilliant work by Richard Kind. A hypochondriac like no other, Corman was in and out of Sacred Heart Hospital with all kinds of issues and medical emergencies throughout Seasons 2 through 4.

Masi Oka

Before having a massive breakout role on Heroes, Masi Oka appeared on Scrubs off and on between Seasons 1 and 4, in which he took on the role of a lab tech named Franklyn. Though he only appeared in a handful of episodes before leaving the show, Oka’s character showed up in some of the most memorable moments in Scrubs history.

Tom Cavanagh

In addition to leading the comedy series Ed, Tom Cavanagh also had a sizable guest spot on Scrubs. Every once in a while, Cavanagh would show up as J.D.’s older brother, Dan Dorian. There for a life, a shoulder to cry on, or an important life lesson, Dan was there for some of his brother’s most trying moments.

Tara Reid

Tara Reid was part of the Scrubs cast for 11 episodes, with all but one coming from the show’s third season. During her run, Reid took on the role of Danni Sullivan, Ben Sullivan’s younger sister, who became one of J.D.’s many girlfriends at one point.

Phill Lewis

Phill Lewis has appeared just about everywhere throughout his prolific TV career, including Sacred Heart Hospital for a stretch. During his run on Scrubs, Lewis portrayed Hooch, an orthopedic surgeon with a wild and dangerous side, to say the very least.

Jason Bateman

Jason Bateman popped up for a single episode of Scrubs during the show’s fifth season. During his one-off appearance, Bateman plays Mr. Sutton, a garbageman who refuses to thank J.D. after being treated.

John Ritter

The late John Ritter showed up in two episodes of Scrubs as Sam Dorian, J.D.’s dad. The cash-strapped and constantly unemployed character had his issues, but still cared deeply for his song.

Taran Killam

Before landing a steady gig on Saturday Night Live, Taran Killam had a recurring role on Scrubs during the show’s penultimate season. Killam took on the role of Jimmy, one of J.D.’s interns at Sacred Heart.

Jimmie Walker

Jimmie Walker, best known for his portrayal of J.J. Evans and his “Dynomite” catchphrase from Good Times, appeared in two episodes of Scrubs. During the show’s first season, Walker played himself as he appeared in two of the J.D.’s signature daydreams.

Sean Hayes

Best known for his roles as Jack McFarland on Will & Grace, Sean Hayes has made a ton of other appearances over the years. This includes Scrubs, where he played Nick Murdoch, an intern whose time at Sacred Heart was shortlived because he couldn’t handle the stress and emotional toll of watching a young patient’s slow demise under his care.

Ricky Schroder

Ricky Schroder’s career got off to a hot start as a child actor, including multiple appearances and a leading role on Silver Spoons, one of the most beloved sitcoms of the ‘80s. That career would continue well into adulthood for the former teenage star, including a four-episode turn on Scrubs. During the show’s second season, Schroder played Paul Flower, a male nurse Elliott Reid (Sarah Chalke) was embarrassed to admit she was dating.

Kelli Williams

If you look at the list of the best TV shows of all time, you’ll find multiple featuring the work of Kelli Williams. In addition to Law & Order, Quantum Leap, The Practice, and Ally McBeal, there’s also Scrubs. During her two episodes back in 2001, Williams played Kristen Murphy, a surgical student at Sacred Heart Hospital.

Cheryl Hines

In the middle of her run as Larry David’s wife on Curb Your Enthusiasm, Cheryl Hines made a brief appearance on Scrubs. During a single episode in the show’s fifth season, Hines played Paige Cox, Dr. Perry Cox’s very religious sister who shows up at Sacred Heart Hospital and forces the temperamental doctor to think about memories he long locked away in the deepest and most secure vaults of his mind.

Dave Foley

Dave Foley, best known for his time on The Kids in the Hall and movies like A Bug’s Life and Toy Story 2, had a pair of appearances on Scrubs during the middle of the show’s nine-season run. Foley took on the role of Dr. Lester Hedrick, a Sacred Heart grief counselor who was like a softer, kinder, and more easy-going mentor for J.D. when compared to the easily angered and annoyed Dr. Cox.

Julianna Margulies

E.R. wasn’t the only NBC-based show set in a hospital to feature the work of Julianna Margulies, as she also popped up on Scrubs for a couple of episodes during the show’s fourth season. But instead of playing a doctor this time, Margulies took on the role of Jenna Broderick, a candidate for the scariest lawyer award. The malpractice attorney had a habit of showing up and causing trouble, especially with J.D. Not much is known about the character’s whereabouts about J.D. put an end to things.

Keri Russell

Keri Russell, best known for her work on shows like Felicity and The Americans, had a short run on Scrubs, appearing in two episodes. In the show’s sixth season, Russell took on the role of Melody O’Harra, Elliott’s sorority sister who shows up and brings her easy-go-lucky personality and philosophy on life to the core group of the cast, but mostly J.D.

Heather Locklear

Heather Locklear added Scrubs to her long list of TV credits when she appeared for a pair of episodes during the show’s second season. During her time on the show, Locklear played Julie Keaton, a pharmaceutical rep who showed up at Sacred Heart Hospital to sell her company’s latest and greatest product. But she got more than she could chew when she started a relationship with Dr. Perry Cox, which provided a short-lived reprieve for everyone who had grown tired of his anger and outbursts while making rounds.

Christopher Meloni

Christopher Meloni played one of the most sadistic prisoners in the Oz cast as well as a dedicated and complicated detective on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, but did you know he played a pediatrician on Scrubs? Well, that was the case for an episode during the show’s third season in which he played Dr. David Norris, Dr. Cox and Jordan Sullivan’s (Christa Miller) son’s pediatrician. Though a far stretch from his turn as Chris Keller on the landmark HBO series, Dr. Norris was still a wild card, to say the very least.

Amy Smart

Amy Smart showed up in movies like Varsity Blues, Road Trip, and The Butterfly Effect throughout the late ‘90s and early 2000s, but she also had quite a few TV appearances during that stretch of time. This included a spot on Scrubs as Jamie Moyer, aka “Tasty Coma Wife,” the wife of a car crash victim. This led to one of J.D.’s most ridiculous relationships on the series, which is saying something.

Nicole Sullivan

Mad TV star Nicole Sullivan appeared in a handful of episodes of Scrubs. Sullivan played Jill Tracy, a recurring troubled patient at Sacred Heart who made an impact on everyone she encountered, for better or worse. Her death, which ultimately led to one of the show’s most heartbreaking sequences (it features The Fray’s “How To Save a Life”), is one that had a massive impact on the medical staff for years to come.

Colin Farrell’s transformation into the Penguin for HBO’s The Batman spin-off series (which aired amid the 2024 TV schedule)has been nothing short of jaw-dropping. However, a recently unearthed clip of the actor speaking in his native Irish accent while fully in costume has left fans reeling. I’m not excluded from this because I, too, am totally freaking out over the whiplash the viral video is giving me.

The video originally shared on HBO’s TikTok account (Via @Joe.ie on Instagram; HBO has deleted the original video), captured Farrell addressing the crew in a heartfelt farewell speech after wrapping the crime-thriller series finale. In the video, the Irish-born Hollywood A-lister switches from his melodic lilt to the gruff New York growl he uses as Gotham’s infamous crime lord in the acclaimed show. In the clip, you can hear The Lobster star saying:

The sincerity of his message is undercut—to hilarious effect—when the In Bruges actor, still in full Penguin makeup and prosthetics, quips about the toll the transformation took on him. He continued:

The Banshees of Inisherin actor’s dedication to the role is no secret. His transformation into Oswald Cobblepot required hours of prosthetics (yes, some with anatomically precise details) and makeup daily, a process that left the actor unrecognizable. Fans and critics alike have lauded his commitment, noting how the character’s physicality and voice added depth to the show.

While the now-deleted viral clip offered a fun behind-the-scenes glimpse, it also gave a peek into Farrell’s understandable fatigue as the series wrapped. The Irish actor hasn’t held back about how he was just ready for it to be over by the end of filming. For a second, I’ll admit, that comment had me sweating about the future of The Penguin. Thankfully, though, recent remarks from The Batman mastermind Matt Reeves have renewed my hope that we’ll see Farrell’s masterful take on Cobblepot again.

For fans of The Batman universe, Farrell’s take on the classic Batman Rogue’s gallery staple is easily one of the best out of several great performances of the Penguin character. And this viral clip only adds to how much work went into the actor creating such an iconic onscreen baddie.

If you’re as intrigued by Colin Farrell’s unrecognizable transformation into the Penguin as I am, now is the perfect time to dive into this gritty and captivating series. From his unmatched acting chops to the painstaking detail in his character’s design, the star delivers a performance that has already earned Golden Globe recognition. So, don’t miss your chance to witness his stunning portrayal of Gotham’s infamous crime lord—stream The Penguin now with a Max subscription.

Trust me, this is one villain you don’t want to miss!

I loved The Penguin. It was definitely one of the best shows streaming on Max, and maybe one of the best DC-related shows ever. I’ve already illustrated how I think the show is a great feminist drama, but now I want to write about something that seriously irked me about the show, and that’s Penguin himself!

Now, I don’t mean that Colin Ferrell didn’t do a good job, as that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, like others on this site, I think I like Colin Ferrell as Penguin more than I like the movie he originated from. That said, I don’t think I’ve ever detested a character more than Oz Cobb, and I have 5 reasons why.

Oh, and MAJOR spoilers up ahead if you haven’t finished the series yet. You’ve been warned.

He Never Actually Showed Remorse For Killing His Brothers

Okay, so there was a point in The Penguin where I actually felt sympathy for Oz Cobb. It was early on when other characters referred to him as the Penguin in order to belittle him for his hobbled gait. I immediately felt bad for him, and I liked when he eliminated the people who called him names. It felt well deserved.

That said, Episode 7, titled “Top Hat” destroyed any sympathy I had for the character. In earlier episodes, we hear mention of Oswald’s brothers, and vague notions of how they died. Oz made it seem like they were gangsters themselves, and that they met a grisly end.

However, at the start of Episode 7, we’re brought back to Oz’s childhood, and we learn that no, Oz’s brothers weren’t bad guys. In fact, they seemed like really good kids; kids who Oswald was extremely jealous of.

To call Oz a “mama’s boy” is an understatement. Oz didn’t just want some of his mom’s attention. He wanted ALL of it, which might not be the exact reason why he locked his brothers in the sewer, but he definitely didn’t feel bad for doing it. Not when he had that smug look on his face when he sat on the couch with his mom and watched movies with her in their absence.

And no, I can’t reconcile this. The worst part, though, was that Oz never seemed to show any remorse for what he did, even as an adult. It seems like he compartmentalized his actions, and might even blame them for their own deaths–like, if they wanted to live so badly, they should have found another way out. What a terrible human being Oz is, just disgusting.

He Honestly Shouldn't Have Beaten Sofia

Honestly, who doesn’t love Sofia Falcone? Besides the fact that she could take out most of her enemies in one fell swoop, we also learned in the Sofia-centric episode “Cent’Anni” that she wasn’t really “The Hangman” at all, but rather a tragic figure who had been wronged by her own father!

In that way, Sofia kind of shifted from being a villain to being a woman scorned and one who rightfully took her vengeance out upon the people who wronged her. When she murdered everybody connected to her family, we understood why she would do such a thing. She even made sure to spare her innocent niece–which is more than we could say for what Oz Cobb would have done in a similar situation.

So when it came to the startling final episode, I was honestly expecting Sofia to get the last laugh. I don’t know why I had this impression since the show is titled The Penguin, not Sofia Falcone, but I really didn’t want Oz Cobb to defeat her in the end.

Not only that, but it was the WAY that Oz defeated her that really bugged me. If Oz had actually shot her in the back of the head, which she had ostensibly made peace with, then I might have been okay with the fact that he won.

However, Oz made it so that Sofia would be sent back to Arkham Asylum, which is a fate worse than death for her, so that really made me hate Oz all the more so. Yes, Sofia did turn his own mother against him, but I feel like she was justified in doing so, and I really wanted her to win. Alas, it just wasn’t to be.

He Selfishly Wouldn't Let His Mother Die, Even Though He Promised Her That He Would Kill Her

Speaking of Oz’s mother, we could see that she was suffering even in the first episode. We didn’t quite know what she was going through at the time, but throughout the season, we learned that she had Lewy Body dementia, and that she was very much aware of her steady decline.

In fact, she even asked her own son to kill her if it got too bad. And even though he was reluctant, he said that he would do it if it ever got so bad that she was drooling all over herself, which she ends up doing by the final episode after a debilitating stroke.

And, look. I get it. What son could honestly kill his own mother? I understand that Oz was never going to actually put her out of her misery, but did he have to remove her from the hospital, bed and all, and put her up in the penthouse that he always promised her?

Plus, you could tell that she just wanted to die since a tear leaked down her face. Maybe she couldn’t express her misery, but it was definitely evident to the viewer, if not to Oz Cobb, who now seems to be in his own little world.

The ending to The Penguin was perfect (well, almost), and that’s because the show has always operated as a tragedy. What could be more tragic than seeing Oz’s poor mother, who’s suffered all her life, to be kept alive when she obviously doesn’t want to be? God, Oz is selfish.

His Oedipus Complex Went From An Interesting Character Trait To An Extreme That I Wasn't Ready For In The Final Episode

I just mentioned how Oz is selfish, but he’s also sick. Very, very sick.

We could tell early on that Oz had a sort of Oedipus Complex by the way he would dance with his mother or sleep next to her like a lover. But I had no idea just how sick he was until the last few minutes when he had his prostitute girlfriend, Eve, actually look like his mother.

Now, I never actually noticed it before the final episode when he had Eve wearing a dress like his mom, but in a lot of ways, Eve kind of looked like her, even without the dress.

In hindsight, this makes perfect sense since Oz genuinely seemed like he was a bit too in love with his mom, but it really took those final moments for me to put two and two together, and to cringe my way into those final seconds.

In a sense, I kind of felt bad for Oz again. Yes, he was a terrible human being who couldn’t be trusted by anyone–even his closest cohorts (which I’ll get into next), and yes, he killed his own brothers and helped put Sofia in Arkham–twice! But he was obviously mentally unstable, so maybe he was just completely damaged.

But then, I remembered what he did in the scene before this last moment, and I hated him all over again.

He Killed Victor!

Not too long ago, I wrote about how much I loved Rhenzy Feliz’s portrayal as Victor, and one of the things I said I loved about the character is that he humanized Oz.

Sure, Oz was a bad person, but he also could have killed Victor in the first episode, and he didn’t. In fact, he took him under his wing and was almost like a second father to him after the tragic events that robbed Victor of his family.

Time and time again, Victor was there for Oswald, and in Episode 3, Victor made a choice that would alter the course of his life forever, as he saved Oz from certain death.

How does Oz Cobb thank Victor for everything he did for him? He mercilessly choked him in the park while Victor pleaded for his life, and then left Victor for dead just so he could be back with his precious mother.

I swear, this was the moment that made me HATE Oswald, and I could never forgive him. I don’t even want a Season 2 now. I can’t stomach this character a second longer!

And that’s why I hate Oz Cobb. For any new developments of The Penguin, be sure to swing by here often.

Naturally, this story will dig into spoilers for the season finale of The Penguin, so stop reading now if you aren’t yet caught up.

The bulk of the season finale of the excellent HBO series The Penguin dealt with Oz Cobb (Colin Farrell) tying up the loose ends created by his hasty decision to murder Alberto Falcone (Michael Zegen), way back in Episode 1 of this gripping crime thriller. Oz has had to deal with Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti), the entire Maroni crime family, a young protege named Victor (Rhenzy Feliz), and his own mother (Deirdre O’Connell) over the course of the season. But one scene in the finale, I believe, suggested where Matt Reeves might want to take this story when he resumes the action in The Batman: Part 2.

To the credit of The Penguin, this show was not overwhelmed by teases for upcoming DC movies. Instead, showrunner Lauren LeFranc laser focused on the characters in her soap opera, building out her dingy corner of Gotham and fleshing out key characters who could be important in future Gotham stories… or might never be heard from again. I’m quite sure everyone’s ears perked up when Sofia – back in Arkham – received a letter from her half-sister, Selina Kyle (Zoe Kravitz). No doubt that will be a thread that Reeves and his team pull on in The Batman: Part 2.

But one complete scene stood out to me in the finale as a deliberate set up for where we might see Oz in The Batman: Part 2. Almost as if Matt Reeves asked LeFranc to include this one sequence, just to lay the groundwork for a story he’d like to explore down the line.

Into the Lion’s Den

Oz (Colin Farrell) finds himself in a number of tight situations over the course of the finale. Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti) has the fast-talking rat pinned down a few times, once with his mother (Deirdre O’Connell), and once with the crime family leaders. But then there’s a complete detour in between the actions of the main saga, where Victor (Rhenzy Feliz) takes Oz to City Hall, so he can win some allies and establish himself as a larger player.

Once inside City Hall, Oz meets with Councilman Sebastian Hady (Rhys Coiro), whom he bribed in an earlier episode to get the electricity back on in his devastated neighborhood of Crown Point. As they talk, Oz manages to reverse engineer his recent crime spree and blame it on several others. He pins the underground Bliss ring on the now-deceased Salvatore Maroni (Clancy Brown). He blames Sofia for blowing up the tunnels under Crown Point (which she did). And he explains to Hady:

In the DC Comics, Sebastian Hady goes on to become Mayor of Gotham City. A corrupt mayor, but still, a city leader with immense power. That’s a good friend to have in Gotham. And as we all know, Oz doesn’t do anything for free. When asked what Oz wants in return, the crook tells Hady:

Who are these “friends” Oz is referencing? I think I know… and I think the scene tells us.

The Court of Owls

Fans have had a good time speculating on the villain (or villains) that Matt Reeves might want to introduce into The Batman: Part 2. Hell, we have been guilty of this, as well. So far, Reeves has introduced The Riddler (Paul Dano), The Penguin (Farrell), Joker (Barry Keoghan), Catwoman (Zoe Kravitz), and other lower-level threats. The key seems to be finding grounded criminals who don’t fall into the camp of an exaggerated comic-book type threat.

Lots of DC Comics readers have suggested that Reeves use The Court of Owls, a secret society pulling the strings on Gotham’s rich and powerful for centuries, and I think that they would fit perfectly into what intrigues the writer/director. The plot of his The Batman even rooted itself in historic corruption, with Riddler being motivated to punish Batman (Robert Pattinson) for the actions of Thomas and Martha Wayne. Reeves has said he hopes to further explore Gotham’s corruption in the sequel. Bruce Wayne discovering that the evils of his city trace back generations to one main group manipulating all of the power lines up beautifully with the manipulation on display in The Batman and The Penguin.

Some fans have even pointed out that the curtains in the courtroom where Oz confronts Sebastian Hady LOOK like the outlines of owls. And dammit, they really do:

Was this a hat tip? Or an innocent set design? We won’t find out until October 2026, when The Batman: Part 2 is scheduled to reach theaters. And I wonder if we will get a Penguin Season 2, or if Reeves will back a different spinoff for another key character. Either way, I just hope we get more time in this version of Gotham before Pattinson returns to clean up the seedy streets.

Now that The Penguin has reached its pitch-black conclusion, I think it’s safe to say that head writer Lauren LeFranc, stars Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti, and the entire cast and crew have combined to create one of the strongest, most surprising, and most rewarding comic book stories committed to TV or film. By branching off of the Matt Reeves movie The Batman, LeFranc enhanced her characterization of the villainous Oz Cobb (Farrell), establishing him as a true powerbroker in Gotham, and a monster with absolutely no moral fiber. We came into the series raving about Farrell’s make up and prosthetics that were required to morph him into Oz. We leave the series blown away by new characters Sofia Gigante (Milioti), Francis Cobb (Deirdre O’Connell), Victor Aguilar (Rhenzy Feliz), and more.

The rest of this story digs into massive spoilers for the season finale of The Penguin, so stop reading now if you are not caught up.

There are no happy endings waiting for the main characters at the conclusion of The Penguin. Lauren LeFranc let it be known throughout the show that no one was safe, killing off high-powered characters like Salvatore Maroni (Clancy Brown) because they made the mistake of getting in Oz’s way. During a post-finale conversation with LeFranc about her overall plotting, and the resolutions she conceived for her characters, the showrunner told CinemaBlend:

Against all possible odds, Oz has positioned himself near the top of Gotham’s criminal food chain. He has eliminated a number of leaders in the rival crime families. He has framed Sofia, and sent her back to Arkham, the worst possible place – in her mind – that she could have wound up. Oz recognized that his warped love for Victor could eventually be perceived as a weak spot, so he murdered the young man in cold blood. And as for the mother that he has worshipped for the bulk of his bizarre life, Oz keeps her locked in a penthouse overlooking Gotham. He’s maintaining a promise that he made to his mother, in a warped way. But she’s paralyzed following a debilitating stroke… though that tear Francis sheds suggests that she’s all too aware of the prison in which her son has locked her.

LeFranc went on to reflect the fates of these key characters, telling CinemaBlend:

One reaction I heard from friends who were watching The Penguin was that as the show evolved, they were reminded that Oz and his cohorts are villains, capable of horribly ruthless things. Yes, there are moments when the powerful writing and plotting meant that you might have sympathized with Oz, Sofia, Victor, or Francis. But the show very quickly came back around to remind you that these are ruthless people, willing (and almost eager) to cut down anyone who stood in the way of their goals.

By the second episode, I all but forgot that this story took place in a city policed by Batman (Robert Pattinson), though I did love the Bat Signal appearing in the night sky, reminding us that the Dark Knight will be coming for Oz… eventually.

For the moment, The Penguin has ended, and I don’t think we are getting a Season 2. I also do believe that there’s time for a different Gotham spinoff show to help fill in the gap while we wait for Matt Reeves’ The Batman: Part 2, which will not arrive until October 2026. Make sure that you are checking our guide to Upcoming DC Movies to learn more about Reeves’ story, and other DC films in the works.

SPOILERS BELOW for anyone who hasn’t yet watched The Penguin’s season finale on HBO or streamed it with a Max subscription, so be warned!

Even after its first episode, The Penguin seemed destined to become a beloved standout amidst everything on the 2024 TV schedule, and the hyper-dark crime drama from showrunner Lauren LeFranc never stopped delivering on that promise. Indeed, the season finale "A Great or Little Thing" featured a smorgasbord of emotional depth with tour de force performances from Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti and Deidre O’Connell, not to mention Rhenzy Feliz’s gut-demolishing final scene. For over an hour, this thing is a solid A+.

But if I may be so flagrantly dramatic (though without spittle flying from my lips), the finale’s uncomfortably perfect ending is nearly blown to smithereens by the show’s final connective tissue to Matt Reeves’ upcoming Batman film(s): the Bat Signal. But like, only 1.5 seconds of it, short enough that I really wish it hadn't happened at all.

Why Give Fans The Bat Signal Now?

Right from the jump, The Penguin's creative bosses were clear and up front about Robert Pattison's Batman (or Bruce Wayne) not having any kind of presence in the episodic series, with the main thrust being to keep this world more grounded as a crime drama. But as viewers have seen through references to The Riddler and shared cast members, the HBO show didn't shy away entirely from showing it exists within the same universe.

Even so, a lot of viewers either didn't get that memo, or didn't care to agree with it, because the absolute lack of Batman references has been one of the more debated aspects within the fandom. Some like myself think it makes sense for the show to bypass all things batty, since the vigilante is still gaining ground in Gotham City during The Penguin's timeline, and likely wouldn't have the means of keeping constant surveillance on Oz's neck of the woods.

But others are of the belief that some of the more destructive events in the TV show, such as Oz's underground operation going explosively belly up, would have absolutely attracted Batman's attention. So perhaps that group will be pleased to see the signal popping on in the closing seconds, but I'd imagine many would see it as too little, too late.

Granted, showing it earlier in the season likely would have caused a slew of fans to see it as Chekov's Bat Signal, indicating a full-on appearance from the Caped Crusader before the season concluded. Which would have led to further disappointment when it didn't happen, but still. Just don't have it at all, let this season be all about Oz, and problems solved.

The Letter To Sofia Was Already A Perfect Callback To End On

I truly think the episode stuck the easter egg landing, if you want to call it that, with the letter from Selina Kyle that Dr. Rush brought to the once-again institutionalized Sofia, teasing their potential future relationship in Matt Reeves' The Batman: Part II or a potential second season of The Penguin. I loved the series going that route, since I admittedly hadn't thought all that much about their familial ties before now, since I wasn't sure if Sofia would even survive beyond the finale.

Even if Milioti ends up landing other projects and doesn't return as Sofia Falcone, which would be the worst thing ever, the set-up of that character either teaming up with or butting heads with Zoë Kravitz's Selina is something fans can actually gnaw on between projects. It's a seed that can grow widlly in fans' minds in all kinds of ways.

But the Bat Signal popping up in the sky doesn't get any additional context, so there's nothing further to consider there. There's no indication of what major crime would be happening that would require Batman's attention, and we don't even get a shot of Oz or Eve Karlo seeing it from his penthouse windows.

A Shot Of A New Bat-Device Or Vehicle Would Have Worked Better

Had the Bat Signal not existed in The Batman, and we were just seeing it for the very first time in The Penguin, that'd be one thing. But we already know what it looks like, and even if it was a completely new design, that would still be on the less-impressive side.

However, even I might have geeked out a bit had the HBO series ended on a quick shot of an early Batwing prototype or a more fantastical Batmobile zipping through the streets below Oz's penthouse. Sure, it's probably still too early to bring in more complicated vehicles like that, but my point is just that the finale should have ended with something new to think about for Robert Pattinson's Dark Knight, if it was going to make us think about him at all.

The Penguin's final moment makes me think about Gotham's series finale, which ended with the proto-signal spotlight and the first and only shot of Batman in-costume. The final scene sparked some criticism at the time, but that kind of reveal was organic to the show's build-up, and squarely put the vigilante's future exploits entirely inside the minds of audiences.

As gross-feeling as it is to say it, I think we're better off following the finale by sorting through the complexities of Francis having to tearfully stare out of that window, unable to communicate just how miserable she truly is, all while listening to Oz gloat with self-importance as he makes another woman say she's proud of him. That's the kind of hellacious situation that Batman can't fix no matter how many years of training he gets through.

So if anything, that signal shining in the sky isn't really a sign of hope, but rather a reminder that heroes can't save everyone. Now if everyone will excuse me, I'm late for my appointment with Dr. Rush, who I definitely will not tell all my biggest sins to.

R.I.P. Victor Aguilar. We hardly knew ye, but want to avenge your murder all the same.

Thanks in large part to James Gunn and Peter Safran’s creative initiatives happening at DC Studios, fans can look forward to plenty of upcoming DC TV shows, from the horror-comedy teamwork of Creature Commandos to the murder-mystery Lanterns and so on. But outside of that eventually connected universe exists Colin Farrell’s Oz Cobb, the entrepreneurial thug at the heart of HBO’s brilliant crime drama The Penguin, and fans are very curious to know if he’ll be donning the prosthetics again for Season 2.

Quite honestly, I always believed The Penguin would exist solely as a limited series to serve as a wildly entertaining bridge of sorts between Matt Reeves’ first Caped Crusader movie and the upcoming sequel The Batman: Part II. Maybe that was just my pessimistic side being intimidated by the long waits between projects, combined with the number of other Gotham-set projects that were developed and then shelved.

While I’ve no direct clue what Reeves’ ultimate goals have always been, he’s often understandably come across as strategically cautious when talking about future Batman projects outside of James Gunn’s DCU. And he didn’t pull a 360 or anything, but did let a little light shine into the dark when talking to Andy Serkis about The Penguin for Interview Magazine. When asked if “they’ll do The Penguin” or focus on another element in Gotham City, Reeves replied with:

Obviously we can’t get too excited about anything just yet, since it’s not like the filmmaker brought out a cake with “Season 2 Is Happening” written in purple icing. And Reeves technically could have been speaking specifically about one of those “other” projects he’s had in mind. But I’d like to think he would have made that delineation if there was one to make, especially since fans are already aware of the Arkham Asylum series that was developed and then canceled earlier this year.

As such, let's gleefully bank on the fact that The Penguin is now in contention for a second season, and that all of the main cast members are still alive to return for it after the season finale. I'm less optimistic about that, all things considered, but there's no way Oz is getting bodied, and everyone else is technically expendable at that point.

Matt Reeves continued, speaking to the importance of expanding and exploring pockets of Gotham City for audiences to temporarily hole up in to spend time with other characters from this deep bat-mythos. In his words:

As loose a tie as it may be, I'm going to hold on tightly to the fact that he said "Oz's story IS Oz's story," and didn't use the past tense of the verb.

True, Colin Farrell has spoken quite a bit about how miserable he became wearing Oz’s prosthetics during production, which was cause for concern that he may not want to go down that same troublesome path to lead another episodic season. That said, he was also still very grateful at the time to hold such a prestigious role, and as Reeves implied, the fact that the show has earned a constant train of praise for the past two months has to be gratifying. Not to mention all of the early Emmys talk.

The Penguin's finale is set to air on HBO on Sunday, November 10 at 9:00 p.m. ET.

One of my favorite corners of the 2024 TV schedule has been the intense crime drama we’ve been seeing out of HBO’s The Penguin. It’s a formula that’s hard to pass up too, as you’ve got an extended teaser for an upcoming DC movie property, with a magnetic and prosthetic lead in Colin Farrell’s Ozwald Cobb. However, it’s that latter half that gives me pause, as the Irish actor has shared some of the “bitching and moaning” he’s done on the set of the limited series. After reading these good natured concerns, I’m wondering if we’ll even get a Season 2 at this point.

Again, it’s not like The Banshees of Inisherin star is putting the experience on blast. As he spoke with our sibling publication Total Film (via GamesRadar), he certainly shared his pleasure with the experience. But take a look at what Colin Farrell had to say, and tell me this doesn’t sound like he’s on the bubble for another round:

I can totally see where Mr. Farrell’s coming from, as the astounding job of transforming the svelte performer into the pudgier DC Comics character we all know and love isn’t easy. And while it provides us with hysterical stories, like that of The Penguin’s “anatomically correct” prosthetics, it does put any actor that steps into its trappings under a lot of physical and mental pressure.

In his continued remarks of “grumpy gratitude” for his part in the latest cable TV hit, Colin Farrell highlights both prosthetics and make-up designer Mike Marino and showrunner Lauren LeFranc as two parties that have compelled him to stay in The Batman Epic Crime Saga. And even in his love for his corner of Gotham City, he explains just how he went from that initial enthusiasm to questioning the future:

Reading that further bit of context, I cannot blame Colin Farrell for wanting to maybe take a break from The Penguin. With The Batman Part II looking to gear up to shoot in the next year, he’ll be returning to that world pretty soon; albeit in a presumably more supporting role, as opposed to a full on lead. At the very least, his honesty is refreshing, and tempered with caveats as to why he felt that way. So we probably shouldn’t expect any sort of remorse, like Daniel Craig’s regret on his infamous James Bond comments.

Of course, we’ll have to wait and see if The Penguin ends in a spot that naturally leads to another season. And to do that, you’ll need access to either HBO or a Max subscription, as our weekly trips to Gotham will be running on Sundays at 9 PM ET, with the season finale set to air on November 10th.

I fully think The Penguin has so far proven itself to be one of the best movie-to-TV spinoffs of all time, as it has fully humanized Colin Farrell’s Oz Cobb and made him arguably more fun to watch than Robert Pattinson’s Batman himself. The show doesn’t even need tons of connective tissue to The Batman movie to be a winner, though fans are still eating up all the Riddler-related easter eggs and “No Man’s Land” namedrops. So let’s discuss those potential Hush references.

Okay, it’s maybe presumptuous to call them Hush references specifically, but The Penguin has twice now made reference to the supervillain’s alter ego surname, which coincides with the biggest comic news for Hush since the original arc. So is this all happening as build-up for Matt Reeves’ The Batman: Part II?

Elliot Bridge Spotted In Episode 3

The third episode, "Bliss," kicks off with a flashback to the night the Riddler's bombs went off, but told through Victor's perspective as he was enjoying a night on the roof with friends, his love interest, and his soon-to-be victim. Beyond all the future implications that were laid out in the scene, the biggest Batman-related moment came when Victor peered over the edge of the building to see the raging floodwaters from the unnatural disaster.

That's when the sign could be seen for Elliot Bridge, next to one for Midtown, as seen below.

The likely takeaway there is that an ancestor of Thomas Elliot was one of the founding fathers of Gotham City, as it went in the comics, and was important enough to have a city-connecting bridge named after him. It's unclear if the Edward Elliot who was murdered in The Batman would be related, but I doubt it'd be a coincidence, considering Edward is the ancestral name used in the comics.

Elliot Bridge Mentioned By Oz In Episode 6

In an episode that also mentioned Byrne Street, very likely a reference to the comic book behemoth John Byrne, The Penguin's Colin Farrell spoke the landmark's name aloud during the scene where Oz gave his grand speech to all the other mob leaders and their second bananas. Here's how he put it while making Gotham City's wealthiest families out to be the true villains:

Another indicator that the Elliots were a powerful family at the point in which the bridge was built. And it should be stated that the Cobblepot family was also in that higher class of citizen, only to have later lost their wealth in one way or another. So perhaps there's room for The Batman: Part II or another chapter in this universe to dig into Oz having specific issues with those who did his family wrong in previous generations.

Hush 2 Is Happening At DC Comics

With larger details still kept under wraps, DC icons Jim Lee and Jeph Loeb announced at NYCC that they'll be working on a sequel to Batman: Hush, the seminal 2002 story arc that introduced one of the greatest villains in the vigilante's rogues gallery. HUSH 2 will take place in the pages of DC's Batman monthly series in 2025 following the exit of current writer Chip Zdarsky, whose final issue is set to be published in February. (A prelude story will be part of Justice League Unlimited #1.)

To be clear, Hush was already being rumored and speculated as a potential villain for Matt Reeves' highly anticipated sequel due to Edward Elliot showing up in the first film. So expectations have already been locked in place, meaning any seemingly related name-drop in The Penguin would be leapt upon by viewers.

So there's no way anyone in the world can convince me that Lee and Loeb's HUSH 2 announcement, even the timing of it, is 100% unrelated to The Penguin and The Batman's sequel. Even if we don't get to see the big bad's full arc on the big screen just yet, I am faithful that these are indeed narrative crumbs that could eventually lead to something larger in another upcoming Batman-centric series or movie.

And that's assuming the rest of the Fall TV schedule goes by without Hush showing up in The Penguin's final two episodes, which will be airing over the next two Sunday nights on HBO at 9:00 p.m. ET.

One lesson that you probably should be taking from The Penguin, the spinoff show from Matt Reeves’ The Batman that’s available with an HBO subscription, is that no one is safe. By the end of the excellent Episode 4, titled “Cent’anni,” Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti) had gassed most of her own family. The entire show got off and running when Oz Cobb (Colin Farrell) murdered Alberto Falcone in cold blood. And at the end of Episode 5, Sofia’s surviving “partner,” Johnny Viti (the great character actor, Michael Kelly), caught a bullet in the back of the head.

As I said, no one truly is safe.

The thing about Johnny Viti’s death, at the hands (or gun) of Sofia Falcone, is that it seemed like he made it through the episode by convincing Sofia to spare him. He talked – as so many people do on this show – until he was allowed to keep breathing. But then he crossed Sofia at the table, in front of her muscle, and it cost him his life. I had the opportunity to speak with Michael Kelly following the airing of The Penguin Episode 5. And when I asked him point blank if it’s weird watching himself die on screen in such a brutal fashion, he candidly told CinemaBlend:

Michael Kelly did admit that he knew from day one that Johnny Viti wasn’t long for this world. He was told by The Penguin showrunner Lauren LeFranc that he’d be in five episodes, and he said to himself, “Oh, I’m dying. Got it.” And he did, brutally.

But that’s part of the reason why this ongoing Penguin series is one of the best DC stories available to stream at the moment, is that there are true dramatic stakes. Hardly an episode goes by where it doesn’t seem like a nemesis has the drop on Oz (Farrell), until he wickedly thinks of a way to get himself out of the jam. It’s like I don’t even miss Batman in the show, even though it’s set in Gotham.

We only have a few more episodes of The Penguin left, and a lot of story to tell. The show will then pass the baton to Matt Reeves, so he can carry the story through The Batman: Part 2, which will arrive in theaters in 2026.

Ever since its debut on HBO, the Batman spinoff series The Penguin has captivated audiences with its alternate look at Gotham City, its rich characterizations of new characters like Sofia Gigante (played masterfully by Cristin Milioti), and the Emmy worthy performance of Colin Farrell as the title character, Oz Cobb. We first met Oz as a role player in Matt Reeves’ The Batman, but this series has done so much more to peel back the layers on this complicated gangster, and also showcase some incredible prosthetic work by the behind-the-scenes team. Something Farrell apparently assisted with, to maintain the illusion.

Stop reading this now if you are not up to speed on The Penguin through Episode 5, which aired on October 20.

After it was revealed that Sofia (Milioti) had been imprisoned in Arkham Asylum by her own family, she re-enacted revenge. She gassed the entire crew, save for her niece Gia, and longtime “Family” henchman Johnny Viti, played by the incredible Michael Kelly. Following the episode, which didn’t end well for Viti, I got a chance to dig into The Penguin with Kelly, and he told me amazing stories about working with this dream ensemble… particularly Colin Farrell. As Kelly explained to CinemaBlend:

This is hardly breaking news. Fans were impressed by Colin Farrell’s transformation when they first saw him as Oz in The Batman. He’s only increased our appreciation by disappearing further into the part as The Penguin plays out. In fact, as Michael Kelly went on to explain:

That’s insane. Kelly compared the full immersion of Colin Farrell as The Penguin to the time he worked with Jim Carrey on Man on the Moon, when the Ace Ventura star “lived” as comedian Andy Kaufman for the duration of the shoot. We heard similar sentiments from Cristin Milioti, which makes the transformation that much more incredible:

We can only hope that this transformation continues to get Colin Farrell the awards recognition he deserves. It also makes me wonder if The Penguin will be a major part of The Batman: Part 2. Because this show is such a showcase for Farrell, I also want some of the other Batman villains to get proper treatment, as well. Give us The Penguin season 2, instead. But that’s just me being greedy.

Keep watching The Penguin with your HBO Max subscription. The end of the season is phenomenal.

Ever since The Penguin debuted on the 2024 TV schedule, viewers have learned quite a bit about Colin Farrell’s Oswald Cobb -- the version of the iconic Batman villain introduced in Matt Reeves’ The Batman a couple of years ago. And, while the character isn’t too fond of his nickname, the same can’t be said for Colin Farrell, who masterfully portrays him. That really shone through in the way Farrell helped design the up-and-coming Gotham crime lord’s apartment on the HBO series as CinemaBlend recently learned.

Shortly after Lauren LeFranc-created series premiered, I had the opportunity to chat with production designer Kalina Ivanov. It was during our chat that she shared the incredible story about the Academy Award-nominated actor helping design his anatomically correct character's Diamond District loft. Ivanov opened up about what she described as a “wonderfully collaborative process”:

The painting Ivanov was referencing can be seen amid the early part of The Penguin’s consequential third episode in which Oz Cobb and protégé Victor, played by the scene-stealing Rhenzy Feliz, are talking business in the apartment. (It’s also the cover image for this story.) The production designer, who's also working on the upcoming Peacemaker Season 2, would go on to explain that all of this collaboration between her team, the writers, showrunner Lauren LeFranc and Colin Farrell resulted in very well-thought-out and unique sets that were very specific to the character.

The chaotic piece of art, with its purple and black abstract imagery, could be seen as a perfect metaphor for the character. Yet it’s not the only symbolism in the loft. Earlier in our chat, Ivanov shared another great story about coming up with Oz’s apartment, specifically one big shiny metaphor that’s impossible to overlook:

Throughout our conversation, Kalina Ivanov also touched on how she channeled first-hand experiences during Hurricane Sandy to design the show’s version of Gotham City, which grapples with the aftermath of The Riddler’s flood. The veteran production designer also continually stressed the importance of collaboration during the planning process of the series and how conversations like those with Mr. Farrell made it even better.

It's commendable that so much thought was put into the sets of the critically acclaimed crime drama. And the fact that Colin Farrell was also so hands on in helping to mold his character's surroundings just further exemplifies his commitment to the role.

New episodes of The Penguin air Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and are simultaneously available for anyone with a Max subscription. Be sure that you also check out CinemaBlend's other exclusive interviews with the Penguin cast and crew to hold you over in the meantime.

Okay, like a lot of people, I love HBO’s The Penguin. In fact, I think Colin Farrell should definitely be nominated (If not win!) for his portrayal of Oz Cobb when awards season rolls around.

However, as good as Colin Farrell is, he doesn’t play my favorite character on the show. No, that would actually be Rhenzy Feliz, who plays Oz Cobb’s reluctant right hand man, Victor (who made a really big choice in the third episode of the show).

So while you’ll likely see a lot of articles applauding Colin Farrell's performance (and for good reason), I wanted to spend some time talking about the character that I’m rooting for the most: Victor Aguilar.

Oh, and MAJOR SPOILERS up to episode 3 of The Penguin if you haven’t watched it yet.

Firstly, I Just Love That He Became Oz's Right Hand Man By Happenstance

Do you want to know one of my favorite Breaking Bad characters? Jesse Pinkman, and it’s probably obvious why. Besides Walt Jr. (and possibly Skylar White upon reevaluation) Jesse is Walt’s biggest victim when it comes to the path he led him down.

Because in a lot of ways, Jesse was the moral compass of the show. His trajectory as a punk kid to a man who actually got to change his life around was one of the best story arcs in the entire series.

This trajectory makes me think about Victor Aguilar on The Penguin. Now, due to Episode 3, we now know that Victor was a good kid who got dealt a terrible card. His family was destroyed in the floods that we saw in Matt Reeves’ The Batman, and he started carjacking just to survive since he very much lost everything.

But I also love that his meeting up with Oz was because he was carjacking, as he had no idea who he was stealing from, and probably now wishes that he had tried to steal from somebody else. Because unlike the incident with the bombings, where Victor was actually in the right place at the right time (though he probably would have preferred to die with his family), when we see him stealing Oz Cobb’s car, he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

So I take great pleasure in knowing that Victor probably could have gotten away scot-free if not by happenstance. That gives his partnership with Oz an almost fatalistic outlook.

I Also Really Love That You Can Tell That He Both Does, But Also Doesn't Want To Work With Oz

Though we’ve only gotten three marvelous episodes so far, I also really love Victor’s feelings toward Oz. In some regards, he wants to work with him because you can see that 1, he thinks he can make something of himself, and 2, he likes his companionship with Oz, which makes sense since he’s lost pretty much everybody besides his girlfriend in the bombings.

On the other hand, we constantly see him reconsidering his role in Oswald’s life. For example, in the third episode, after a startling incident of PTSD at the club, Victor goes into the bathroom and reflects on things while literally looking at his reflection in the mirror. He comes to the conclusion that his father would be ashamed of him for distributing narcotics.

Oz, of course, grows closer than ever to Victor after his deal goes through with the Triads, and you can tell that Victor doesn’t want to leave his new employer, but he also wants a better, more morally sound existence separate from Oz.

It’s this warring dynamic within Victor’s soul that makes his character fascinating. Will he fall to the Dark Side like it looked like Luke Skywalker was heading in The Last Jedi, or will his conscience prevail? Either way, I eagerly want to see what happens next.

He Comes Through In Clutch Situations

Circling back to Breaking Bad, one of the moments that blew my mind on that show was when Walt saved Jesse’s life by running over people who intended to kill him. I remember hopping out of my seat and shouting, “No way!” when that happened, and it still gives me chills thinking about it to this day.

Well, something very similar happens in the third episode of The Penguin, in that Oz and Sofia are on their knees, ready to be executed, when Victor comes to the rescue and runs over the people who were just about to off the two of them.

Victor obviously wasn’t thinking things through (whereas Walt likely relished mowing down people in his Aztek), and the only reason he likely did it was because he felt he needed to protect his boss (I’m reluctant at this point to call Oz Victor’s “friend”).

But, this wasn’t the only time that Victor came though in a clutch. In the first episode, he crashed yet another car outside of the Falcone property to get Oz off the hook for murdering Alberto Falcone.

This was the moment that solidified the partnership between Oz and Victor, and it’s pretty telling who’s looking out for who more when Victor has twice saved Oz’s life, while the best Oz has done is not shoot Victor after pointing a gun at him on multiple occasions.

I Also Like How Victor Doesn't Always Come Through In A Clutch, Which Makes Him All The More Fascinating

Episode 2 of The Penguin was an interesting one. We got to see Oz Cobb hoodwink and hobnob his way into the Falcone hierarchy, only for him to manage to pin the blame of Ervad’s murder on somebody else.

The thing is was that this was never in Oswald’s plans. No, he actually went to rescue Ervad, but didn’t because Victor couldn’t plant the evidence to pin Johnny Viti on Alberto’s murder. Because of this, Oz killed Ervad instead, which completely changed all of his plans and forced him to think on the fly.

I absolutely love this about Victor’s character. Because he’s not some skilled accomplice. Instead, he’s a kid off the street who’s now way in over his head, and Oswald knows this. He’s well aware that Victor isn’t the best person for the job, but he’s also the only person he’s really got.

Victor being so green though makes him totally unpredictable, and I adore that about his character. He’s trying, but he’s not quite there yet, and he’s still wondering if he even wants to be there yet, which is fascinating to watch.

In The End, Though, I Like How He Truly Humanizes Oz's Character

Lastly, I love how Victor’s character truly humanizes Oz. I’ve seen every live-action Batman movie, and I really enjoyed The Batman. That said, while Oz Cobb was in that film, he kind of got lost in it, which is fine. He wasn’t the main antagonist in the film anyway. But still, I left that movie not really thinking about Oz, except for the knowledge that it was Colin Farrell beneath all that makeup.

However, Oz is probably the best character we have ever gotten out of a live-action DC story. I’m a big fan of Bane from The Dark Knight trilogy, but I think Oz is a far superior character, and I think it’s all because of Rhenzy Feliz’s portrayal of Victor, as he truly has humanized this villain more than any other Batman-related villain in the past.

This is no small feat, since Danny DeVito’s portrayal of The Penguin in Batman Returns was quite sympathetic. However, Oz’s bonding with Victor truly makes this version of The Penguin stand out. Because Victor, by Episode 3 anyway, has chosen to stand by Oz, and you can tell that Oz sees Victor as a friend, albeit one whom he also sees as his underling.

Victor is, like Jesse Pinkman, the heart and soul of this show, and I don’t think I could ever forgive Oz if he decides that Victor’s expendable like he feels about Sofia. I’d truly give up on Oz if that were to become the case.

But what do you think? Are you also a huge fan of Victor? For more news on all things The Penguin-related, be sure to swing by here often!

When speaking with The Penguin showrunner Lauren LeFranc at the start of the new HBO show, she made it clear that the show – while creating its own story – was working to create a bridge between Matt Reeves’ masterful The Batman and his anticipated sequel, The Batman: Part 2. So, while audiences enjoy the introduction of the diabolical Sofia Falcone and chew over the expansion of the Gotham turf war between Oswald Cobb (Colin Farrell) and the rest of the crime bosses, we also pay close attention to any teases that might point to the direction of Reeves’ sequel… which still won’t arrive until 2026.

With all of that in mind, one particular line of dialogue caught my ear in The Penguin Episode 2. Oz is still trying to distract Sofia from the scent of the fact that he murdered Alberto Falcone, Sofia’s brother. Oz needs to set up a patsy for the death, which he manages to do by episode’s end.

But throughout the episode, we continue to see how the devastating flood created by The Riddler (Paul Dano) at the end of The Batman affects the different communities in Gotham. When Oz hosts Eve Kaerlo (Carmen Ejogo) and her squad at his apartment – to eat tacos loaded with cilantro!!! – one of the sex workers asks Oz’s protege Victor (Rhenzy Feliz) where he’s from. He mentions he’s from Crown Point, a neighborhood seriously affected by the flood. And she responds that it’s like “no man’s land” down there now.

If you happen to be an avid reader of Batman comics, your ears undoubtedly perked up.

In 1999, DC Comics launched a massive crossover event in its various Batman comics called “No Man’s Land.” The story took place in Gotham after an earthquake leveled huge sections of the city. The federal government ended up cutting Gotham off from the rest of the country, and the entire territory became a lawless wasteland. In the wake of the earthquake, various criminal elements claimed areas of Gotham as their own. Eventually, Batman worked to take down noted criminals like The Penguin, Two-Face, The Mad Hatter and more. Was that line of dialogue included in The Penguin to suggest that the comic-rooted No Man’s Land could inspire Matt Reeves’ sequel, The Batman: Part 2?

Following the airing of The Penguin Episode 2, I had the opportunity to ask director Craig Zobel about the inclusion of that line. When I asked if it was an intentional nod to the famous comic-book storyline, and a possible tease of stories to come, Zobel told CinemaBlend:

As you watch The Penguin, and watch Oz maneuver Gotham in the wake of the flood, you will start to see a clear divide between the areas that are struggling, and the neighborhoods like where the Falcone family lives. It’s not impacted by the damage. We don’t see Bruce Wayne, but I’d gather that Wayne Manor is intact, as well. And as Craig Zobel and I continued discussing the possibility of Reeves and company exploring this social divide, the director told me that’s what it was about The Penguin that intrigued him in the first place. Zobel told me:

The Penguin is just getting started, and will take several twists and turns before it gets to its finale. Some of it might tease out a direction for The Batman: Part 2. But also, it just tells an incredible crime story, and features magnificent performances from Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Michael Kelly, and many more. Keep watching. You won’t be disappointed.

While DC fans patiently wait for Matt Reeves to begin filming his anticipated upcoming DC movie The Batman: Part 2, they have been relying on the new dramatic series The Penguin – available with an HBO Max subscription – to transport them back to the seedy underbelly of Gotham. The show kicked off with its debut episode, which picked up the story right where Reeves left it at the end of The Batman. Parts of Gotham have been flooded by The Riddler (Paul Dano), while the murder of Carmine Falcone (John Turturro) created a power vacuum that Oswald Cobb (Colin Farrell) is going to try and occupy. To do so, Oz needs to contend with up-and-coming crime bosses like Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti), Salvatore Maroni (Clancy Brown) and more.

As you no doubt saw in the premiere episode of The Penguin, Oz Cobb thinks quick on his feet. Sometimes, he’s scrambling in reaction to a dilemma he placed himself into. Other times, he’s talking fast to stay ahead of an adversary who has the drop on him. Oz picked up an ally in the series debut in Victor (Rhenzy Feliz), but that kid almost didn’t come to the rescue when Oz was naked, tied to a chair, and staring down Sofia Falcone.

In the wake of the debut episode of The Penguin, I got the chance to speak with episode director Craig Zobel about the work that went into the series. And I spoke about that difficult interrogation scene, which required hours of make-up work to show us a completely nude and vulnerable Penguin. As Zobel told CinemaBlend:

I love that Craig Zobel understood that, even though the show is called The Penguin, and Colin Farrell is giving a towering performance that will have him in the Emmy conversation whenever that rolls around, this interrogation scene was a golden opportunity for the show to establish what a force Cristin Milioti is as Sofia. She knows that Oz has something to do with the disappearance of her brother, Alberto. She’s flexing a muscle in this scene, so the appearance of Oz can’t distract from what the show is trying to say about Sofia in this moment, too.

The Internet took notice:

And just wait, Milioti will own this show in just a few episodes. You have no idea all of the places The Penguin goes over the course of Season 1. Get on board with this critical acclaimed series before The Penguin Episode 2 arrives on HBO on Sunday, Sept. 29.

When first we meet Oswald Cobb in Matt Reeves’ The Batman, he’s running a popular – albeit seedy – nightclub named The Iceberg Lounge. But it’s made clear almost immediately that Oz runs multiple rackets in Gotham, few (if any) being legal. He has dirt on almost everyone – something that is reflected in the first episode of the HBO original series The Penguin, as Oz is shown retrieving a folder of incriminating photos of Johnny Viti (Michael Kelly). But there was a moment in the premiere episode of The Penguin that gave the creative team fits, as they knew it would go a long way toward establishing the type of person Oz Cobb is… and the kind of show that The Penguin can be.

Obviously, this will get into spoilers for Episode 1 of The Penguin, so go watch that first before you keep reading.

The biggest moment in the series premiere, which will cast a shadow over the entire season, is Oz’s decision to shoot and kill Alberto Falcone (Michael Zegen), son of the late Carmine Falcone (played by Mark Strong in the show) who was murdered by The Riddler in The Batman. For a moment, Alberto is the new boss, and Oz seems to be wrestling with a new plan to manipulate the kid. He gets him high on Drops, then shares an emotional story about Rex Calabrese, a gangster from Oz’s childhood whom he clearly admires.

Only, Alberto makes the mistake of ridiculing Oz. And the hot-tempered “soldier” does the unthinkable. He whacks the Boss.

The Penguin director Craig Zobel opened up to CinemaBlend about his exquisite work on the show. And when I asked about filming the moment when Oz kills Alberto Falcone, Zobel told me:

Earlier, we spoke with Colin Farrell as part of a Penguin press day, and asked him how Oz feels about the nickname The Penguin. Safe to say, Oz is not a fan. Even though Alberto stops short of calling Oz by his hated gang name, he does make the criminal feel belittled. And it’s enough for Oz to pull a gun and kill him.

As Craig Zobel elaborated in the scene, he opened up about different conversations they had behind the scenes, all which go the extra mile to explain more about Oz. Zobel told CinemaBlend:

Oz clearly shut Alberto Falcone up. But in doing so, he has opened the doors to all sorts of problems, some that you see play out in this first episode. Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti) wants answers as to who did this to her brother. The blame appears to be laid at the feet of the Maroni family, but we’ll see how long Oz can maintain that charade. We might not get Batman in The Penguin. But there’s more than enough happening to keep you invested in the criminal happenings in and around Gotham.

The second episode of The Penguin will air on HBO on Sunday, September 29, so make sure that your subscription is up to date.

To what lengths is Colin Farrell willing to go to ensure that his portrayal of Oswald Cobb is as accurate as possible in the upcoming DC series The Penguin? For starters, he wears layers upon layers of prosthetics, making him all-but-unrecognizable from the handsome Irish lad we know him to be. Farrell also adopts a limp – there’s an explanation for it given in the series – that creates a waddle, which leads to him being called The Penguin, a nickname that Oz hates, by the way. One thing that we didn’t expect to learn about The Penguin during a recent press day for the HBO show is just what Oz is packing underneath those tailored suits.

I got the opportunity to speak with Colin Farrell and his Oscar-nominated makeup designer Michael Marino (The Penguin) about the work that they did on the series. Specifically, I wanted to ask about the design of Oz’s feet, which are part of the creation of his overall physical weaknesses. And then, out of nowhere, Farrell decided to add the following.

Consider this a little bit of a warning. Or a tease, depending on how you feel about Oz Cobb (Colin Farrell). But there’s a nude scene in Episode 1 of The Penguin, which will be available to those with a Max subscription beginning on Sept. 19. I won’t give you the details as to how and why we see Oz without his clothes on. But you do. It’s… something else.

You do not see Oz’s private parts, even though Colin Farrell tells us that his character was “anatomically correct.” And that’s because, as he was joking with make-up artist Michael Marino, he confirmed:

So, they never filmed the “Penguin Pecker” while working on the eight episodes of The Penguin. Which means we won’t even get to see it in a deleted scene, or a Blu-ray extra. It’s part of Farrell’s process. But it didn’t make the final cut. Or, circumcision.

Reactions to The Penguin have been fantastic so far. The series currently enjoys a higher Rotten Tomatoes score than The Batman, the movie that inspired it. Our own TV editor claims to like the Penguin character more than Robert Pattinson’s Batman, though the Gotham hero will get the chance to shine in The Batman: Part 2. But we won’t see that movie until October 2026, so that’s a long way off. In the meantime, strap in for The Penguin, which will run for eight episodes from September through November, and is absolutely worth your time.

After a barely recognizable Colin Farrell made his debut as Oswald Cobb in Matt Reeves’ The Batman, the infamous villain is set to go solo on the 2024 TV schedule when The Penguin premieres on HBO on September 19. The spinoff won’t feature the Dark Knight himself, but the critics seem to be saying “no Batman, no problem” as the DC crime series is drawing plenty of praise. Having seen the eight-episode series myself, I agree with the consensus that showrunner Lauren LeFranc has developed a Gotham full of rich characters and a shockingly well-rounded exploration of the titular villain.

Initial reactions, in fact, have HBO’s The Penguin scoring higher on Rotten Tomatoes than the 2022 film, with the limited series drawing a Certified Fresh 93% from critics. The Batman, meanwhile, stands at a respectable 85%. Those numbers are certainly in line with our own Nick Venable’s thinking, who called Colin Farrell’s Penguin “DC's most well-rounded live-action villain to date,” going so far as to say he may just like Oz more than Robert Pattinson’s version of Batman. Jordan Bassett of NME would tend to agree, calling the actor “astonishing.” Bassett rates the show 4 out of 5 stars and says:

Fay Watson of GamesRadar calls the series a fresh take on the titular villain, though it’s the supporting members of The Penguin’s cast that really shine for this critic. Rhenzy Feliz is wonderful as Oz’s driver and protégé Victor Aguilar, Watson says, but it’s Cristin Milioti’s brutal performance as Sofia Falcone that makes her the best of the bunch. The critic rates the series 3.5 stars out of 5 and writes:

Aramide Tinubu of Variety points out that people like Oz and Sofia aren’t just born; they are created. The Penguin is a mesmerizing crime drama that shows exactly the kind of environment that made the villain and the crime boss into who they are. Tinubu continues:

Rachel Leishman of the Mary Sue ranks The Penguin “5 out of 5 crime families,” saying that Colin Farrell’s Penguin fulfills all of her Sopranos-related hopes. The heart of the upcoming Batman series lies in the relationship between Oz and Victor, she says, with the former becoming a father figure of sorts to the orphaned teen. Between Oz’s clubbed foot and Vic’s stutter, they can relate to each other, and I agree with Leishman that the series is all the better for it. She writes:

Amon Warmann of Empire gives it 4 out of 5 stars, writing that this return to Gotham feels both necessary and earned, paying off one of The Batman’s most intriguing performances. Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti show exactly why this story warranted a full series, and showrunner Lauren LeFranc is successful in showcasing all sides of the classic villain. In Warmann’s words:

I also found myself conflicted while watching The Penguin over how much I liked these characters in spite of their terrible deeds and unforgivable betrayals. So count me in with those who see this as a welcome offering to help hold us over until Matt Reeves’ The Batman: Part II hits theaters in 2026. With such a long wait, it’s good to know there are plenty of other upcoming DC series for us to partake in.

The Penguin’s eight-episode limited series premieres at 9 p.m. ET Thursday, September 19, on HBO and can be streamed with a Max subscription. If you want to rewatch The Batman to help you get hyped for Colin Farrell’s spinoff series, you can also do that on Max, which is one of the best streaming services to subscribe to.

This year's Emmy wins weren't just limited to those who landed awards for shows that popped into the 2024 TV schedule, as Colin Farrell seemed to prove. As if hyping fans up for HBO's The Penguin wasn't enough, the actor was on hand at the event to award the honor for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama, with a Batman reference welcoming him to the stage.

As opposed to the theme from Matt Reeves' The Batman or one of Christopher Nolan's films, the musicians played the classic 1960's Batman series theme as a winking honor, despite it being more synonymous with the late Adam West. While I wasn't the only viewer who loved the Gotham City appreciation, despite the timing issues, the Internet had plenty of other comments to make.

Audiences sharing their thoughts on X had no notes in terms of the introduction, and were happy to see the actor strutting his stuff on the big night sans Penguin's prosthetics.

On any other night, I would not ask the question if Colin Farrell was bigger than Batman. Tonight, though, the internet made it clear they still love him as much as the day he first stepped on the scene, and Bats was looking like chopped liver in comparison.

The Sugar star's appeal spans across generations, or at least I can assume so given several posts shared about mothers telling their daughters about loving him. For example:

She may not be able to spell his name right, but the love is real. Others swooned specifically at the actor accessorizing, and he was at the Emmys looking like Michael Jordan times two at the Emmys with those stylish hoop earrings:

The Emmys are a big night for stars to dress up, and not just celebs like Quinta Brunson, who slayed on the red carpet. It's good to see wearing a classic tux with just a bit of jewelry is still in style, assuming you have the timeless look and charm of one Colin Farrell. Some viewers were so satisfied they called it a night pretty early right after seeing him:

I believe some people turn off the award show immediately after seeing Colin Farrell, especially after seeing one of the more popular posts that were liked during his appearance. I'm assuming there weren't many people who saw The Banshees of Inisherin or were confused by the ending and most of the movie because how do people routinely forget this factoid?

Yes, Colin Farrell is Irish and, at 48 years old, still beloved by people around the United States who unwittingly assumed he was from here. Those more interested in his acting than his looks will appreciate The Penguin, as the makeup and heavy prosthetics make him look like an entirely different person. For those less concerned about that part of it, CinemaBlend's Nick Venable has seen the series early and may even like Colin Farrell's take on the villain more than Robert Pattinson's Batman.

Continue to stay with CinemaBlend as the Emmys continue for more stand out moments of the night, and of course, catch the premiere of The Penguin Thursday, September 19th at 9:00 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.

As excited as I am for all the upcoming DC movies and DC TV shows comprising James Gunn’s revamped DCU, the stoutest stretch of my fandom is wholly invested in Matt Reeves’ The Batman: Part II, even though I’ll be two whole-ass years older when it finally arrives. Thankfully, HBO’s spinoff The Penguin is almost here to fill the void with a Gotham City crime saga like no other, and at the risk of engaging in rampant blasphemy — Bat-sphemy? — Oswald Cobb puts Robert Pattinson’s Batman to shame.

Well maybe not “shame” exactly, since I’m not sure if Pattinson’s brooding Bruce Wayne is still capable of feeling such emotions. But after having watched the entire season of The Penguin, I feel weirdly secure in this belief: nothing that will happen in any The Batman sequels will make me genuinely enjoy watching the Caped Crusader in action more than I loved getting down and dirty with Farrell’s Oz. Two gnarled thumbs way up.

The Penguin’s Oz Is DC’s Most Well-Rounded Live-Action Villain To Date

Batman movies and TV shows have always succeeded in giving audiences engaging and chaotic villains, and we've seen plenty of excellent versions on The Penguin before. From Danny DeVito's weird li'l bastard in Batman Returns to Burgess Meredith's top-hatted sitcom cackler to Robin Lord Taylor’s more youthful Gotham crime boss. But as far as character studies go, even those couched in comic book movie spinoffs, very few superior format exists than "an eight-hour HBO series."

After being introduced to Colin Farrell's Oz and getting to know him a little in The Batman, I was expecting to watch a crime drama about an underling's rise to the top by any means necessary, and The Penguin absolutely delivered on that front. What I didn't expect, however, was such a fully three-dimensional approach that pulled the character into virtually the entire emotional and behavioral spectrum.

The Penguin is the rare comic book property that would 100% work just as well if every single comic book detail was removed, because at no point were showrunner Lauren LeFranc & Co. interested in crafting an elbow-nudging piece of fan service. This is Oz's tragic and sorded story through and through.

Colin Farrell Explodes With A Career-Best Performance

Let's be real, though. All the talented work that the writers and directors put into The Penguin might have all been for naught if Colin Farrell wasn't blazing along on all cylinders. But he puts on a masterclass acting clinic as the weasley underworld villain, oozing sleazy charisma and earning both disgust and reluctant sympathy in equal doses.

Following the events of The Batman, Carmine Falcone's death left a void in Gotham City's underworld, with his daughter Sophia hoping to fill it upon returning to the criminal-filled family home after being released from Arkham Asylum. But her efforts are made all the more complicated by Oswald's brazen attempts to secure his own underworld real estate, all while made man Sal Maroni (Clancy Brown) attempts to run things from behind bars.

Also starring Deirdre O'Connell as Oz's mentally frazzled mother Francis and Rhenzy Feliz as Oz's trauma-stricken driver Victor Aguilar, The Penguin is filled to the brim (or cowl ears) with acting talent, and yet Farrell still outperforms them all from behind thick layers of prosthetics and makeup that make it shockingly easy to forget that there's an Oscar-nominated (and soon to be Emmy-nominated no doubt) Irishman under there.

Oz Is Surrounded By Friends And Foes To Play Off Of Who Inform His History

While exceptions exist, The Penguin generally isn't one of Batman's more complicated villains, and often serves as an eccentric connection between Gotham City's hardcore crime families and its more colorful baddies. As such, this particular avenue of Batman's live-action mythos isn't beholden to myriad backstory details the way that Dark Knight tales inevitably fall back on the Waynes' murders and Bruce's years of training to inform the vigilante's mindset.

Batman Returns and Gotham each shined a light on Oswald's family life — Paul Reubens served as his father figure in both — and certain comics have addressed his backstory in fun ways. But The Penguin goes above and beyond in expanding and deepening every aspect of his story, from his personal connections with other crime bosses to his extremely complex relationship with his mother to what passes for romance in Oz's life with Carmen Ejogo's Eve Karlo.

To take nothing away from his contentious dealings with Miliotti's Sophia or his strangely paternal kinship with Feliz's Victor and others we meet along the way. It would have been very easy for The Penguin's creative team to introduce an endless line of nameless bodies for Oz to mow down while trying to become kingpin, but just about everyone here is necessary and worth their weight in [your favorite Gotham City party drug], all for the purpose of rounding Oz out.

Nobody’s Afraid Of The Big Black Bat Here, And I Totally Buy It

It'd be naive to think there won't be viewers who get upset that Batman doesn’t show up in The Penguin, even though the creative team has been pretty up front about that to date. The crux of this story rests entirely on Colin Farrell's Oz, who's spent decades rising up the ranks in the Carmine empire and beyond without ever having to deal with any rodent-themed vigilanties. So why would he start worrying about that kind of thing now?

Indeed, The Penguin uses Gotham City's geography and class divides in ways that, without being on-the-nose about it, justify the lack of Batman-related references and sightings. Because despite the series' timeline closely following the destructive efforts and eventual capture of Edward Nygma's Riddler, it's not as if the hero has cemented himself as a household name in his second year of vigilantism. And Robert Pattinson's Batman also doesn't have the surveillance scope and reach that come with time.

So maybe years down the line, after he's saved the city countless times from increasingly off-putting villains, R-Pat's Bat might feel like a fully realized character that viewers can understand and relate to even without 80 years of Batman lore to fall back on. But by the end of The Penguin, audiences can walk away feeling as if they truly know who Colin Farrell's Oswald Cobb is from mangled head to mangled toe. And for all that he pulls off some truly monstrous acts, I do kinda like the guy. Bruce Wayne? Not so much.

The Penguin will premiere on HBO and Max on Thursday, September 19, at 9:00 p.m. ET.

His name is Oswald Cobb. But everyone in the Gotham crime world refers to him as The Penguin. He’s a seminal villain in the classic Batman Rogue’s Gallery, and has been for decades. When Colin Farrell assumed the role in Matt Reeves’ Oscar-nominated The Batman, he reinterpreted Oz as a manipulative nightclub owner who wields power over the mob bosses in town. Not a lot happens in Gotham without Oz knowing about it. But what Farrell also knows is that Oz hates his nickname, The Penguin.

The Penguin is a riveting new crime thriller arriving on the Max streaming service that expands on the world created by Matt Reeves, and gives Colin Farrell a breathtaking showcase for his magnificent portrayal of Oswald Cobb. We will learn a LOT about Oz throughout the course of the eight-episode run, which begins streaming on Thursday, Sept. 19. Most of that, I need to keep secret, so that you can discover it over the course of the show. But what’s clear, both from the movie and the new show The Penguin, is that Oz hates his criminal nickname. And when I asked Colin Farrell during a recent press day why Oz feels that way about it, the actor told CinemaBlend exclusively:

I hadn’t considered, before watching the new show The Penguin, that there might be reasons why the criminals in Batman’s orbit wouldn’t take pride in the names that they carry in the underworld. The Riddler (Paul Dano) embraces his identity as he tortures Batman (Robert Pattinson) throughout The Batman, signing the notes that he leaves behind at his various crimes.

It’s different with Oz. He views himself as something else, and the nickname The Penguin is used to demean him, because of his limp. Because of his clubbed foot. And because it’s not a name he gave himself. As The Penguin showrunner Lauren LeFranc told CinemaBlend:

He will come to earn the nickname of The Penguin over the course of the eight-episode show, though. From what you can tell in the trailers for The Penguin, Gotham is cleaning up after the flood created by The Riddler, and there’s a power vacuum created by the murder of Carmine Falcone (John Turturro). Multiple families make a play for the head of the table, but Oz has various plans in place, some that involve Sophia Falcone (Cristin Milioti), and the other gangsters of Gotham.

The Penguin fits into a list of upcoming DC television projects, but it’s part of a standalone world from the universe that James Gunn is creating. That world will have upcoming shows like the animated Creature Commandos, and a Lanterns show that’s reportedly eyeing potential cast members. The Penguin, meanwhile, will serve as a bridge between The Batman, and the sequel that Matt Reeves will have in theaters in October 2026. So, be patient.

It’s an exciting time to be a fan of DC Comics, and the live-action adaptations of the classic characters in that fold. Not only do fans have all of the upcoming DC movies and TV shows that are part of the DCU that James Gunn is launching, but the studio also has a handful of these Elseworld projects that are separate from the continuity, and beholden to the vision of specific filmmakers. Todd Phillips is taking audiences back to the complicated world of Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) when Joker: Folie a Deux opens in October. And Matt Reeves is building out his unique interpretation of Gotham with the anticipated The Batman: Part 2, and the TV series The Penguin, available to anyone with a Max subscription.

Ahead of the eight-episode series dropping on Max, The Penguin writer/director Lauren LeFranc spoke exclusively with CinemaBlend about Colin Farrell’s return to the role of Oswald Cobb, a crime lord caught in a war between gangster families the Falcones and the Maronis, with the citizens of Gotham stuck in the crosshairs. There are moments throughout The Penguin where it seemed like Robert Pattinson’s Batman might show up… or at least make it clear that he was shadowing Penguin, after their encounters in the Matt Reeves movie. But as LeFranc explained to CinemaBlend, there’s a tragic reason why Batman isn’t part of this developing story, as she told us:

That’s sad, but also accurate. Robert Pattinson’s Batman had his hands full by the end of The Batman, given the fact that The Riddler (Paul Dano) flooded Gotham and Catwoman (Zoe Kravitz) was leaving the city to find herself. This version of Bruce Wayne had decided that he was going to seek to be a beacon of hope in the darkness of Gotham. And in his mind, Oz is probably nothing more than the two-bit head of a seedy nightclub, one who can be manipulated with intimidation, and made to do what Batman wants and needs. Like in this interrogation scene:

We have a long way to wait for The Batman 2, giving time for actors like Barry Keoghan to cleverly dodge questions about their possible involvement in the sequel. I’m excited to learn which villains Matt Reeves will want to focus on in the sequel. And I’m confident that by the time The Penguin ends its run on Max, Oz Cobb is going to demand Batman’s attention. Wait until you see how, and why.