Danny DeVito endorses Colin Farrell as Penguin in Matt Reeves’ The Batman

Matt Reeves' THE BATMAN has gathered together quite the fantastic cast over the past few months, but it's Colin Farrell's casting as Penguin which has caused me the most excitement. Although Farrell has grown into one of my favourite actors, I never would have pegged him for the role of the Gotham City crime boss.

The Penguin was last seen on the big-screen nearly 30 years ago when Danny DeVito brought him to life in Tim Burton's BATMAN RETURNS, and DeVito's take on Oswald Cobblepot is likely what enters your mind when you think of Penguin, which leaves Colin Farrell with some big shoes to fill. While speaking with Fandango during the press-tour for JUMANJI: THE NEXT LEVEL, DeVito was asked what he thought of Farrell taking over the role.

"I think it's a great thing because Penguin is a great part. Oswald Cobblepot is many, many layers. It's a very, very difficult task, but I think like many people have played King Lear or Hamlet or anything, I don't think Oswald should be any different," DeVito said. "I think everybody should get a crack at him. I think Colin is a terrific actor and I can't wait to see the twists and turns."

THE BATMAN stars Robert Pattinson (THE LIGHTHOUSE) as the Dark Knight, Zoë Kravitz (Big Little Lies) as Catwoman, Paul Dano (SWISS ARMY MAN) as The Riddler, Jeffrey Wright (NO TIME TO DIE) as Commissioner Gordon, Andy Serkis (STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI) as Alfred Pennyworth, Colin Farrell (DUMBO) as Penguin, and John Turturro (The Night Of) as Carmine Falcone. It was also announced just last week that Peter Sarsgaard (THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN) has joined the cast in an undisclosed role, which some believe will be Harvey Dent/Two-Face. We still don't know all that much about THE BATMAN at this stage, but Matt Reeves has teased that it will finally do justice to Batman's reputation of the World's Greatest Detective.

It’s very much a point of view-driven, noir Batman tale. It’s told very squarely on his shoulders, and I hope it’s going to be a story that will be thrilling but also emotional. It’s more Batman in his detective mode than we’ve seen in the films. The comics have a history of that. He’s supposed to be the world’s greatest detective, and that’s not necessarily been a part of what the movies have been. I’d love this to be one where when we go on that journey of tracking down the criminals and trying to solve a crime, it’s going to allow his character to have an arc so that he can go through a transformation.

THE BATMAN is already slated for a June 25, 2021 release.