In a declaration that will disappoint generations of Batman fans, Danny DeVito has firmly closed the door on ever reprising his iconic role as Oswald Cobblepot, better known as The Penguin.
The acclaimed actor, who brought a grotesque and memorable intensity to the character in Tim Burton's 1992 classic Batman Returns, stated that his time waddling through Gotham's sewers is permanently behind him.
'That Chapter is Closed' Says Screen Legend
When questioned about potential returns in the ever-expanding universe of DC Comics reboots, DeVito's response was unequivocal. He expressed that he gave the role his all three decades ago and feels no desire to revisit it, despite the current industry trend of bringing legacy characters back to the screen.
'I feel like I did it,' DeVito explained, emphasising the finality of his decision. 'I was so happy to do it. I was so dedicated to being the Penguin that I couldn't imagine... No, I'm not going to do that.'
A Legacy Cast in Shadow and Squawks
DeVito's portrayal remains one of the most distinctive in superhero cinema history. Unlike more recent, suave interpretations of the character, his Penguin was a tragic, monstrous, and genuinely unsettling figure raised in the sewers beneath Gotham's zoo.
The performance was a masterclass in physical transformation and character acting, creating a villain that was both pitiable and terrifying. This definitive take is precisely why the actor believes there's no need for an encore.
Gotham Moves On Without Him
The Batman franchise has continued to evolve since DeVito's tenure. Most recently, Colin Farrell underwent his own dramatic transformation to play a very different version of The Penguin in the 2022 film The Batman, starring Robert Pattinson.
Farrell's performance was met with critical acclaim and is already set to be expanded in a forthcoming HBO Max spin-off series. This new iteration effectively seals the fate of any potential return for the Batman Returns version, confirming that Gotham City has a new Penguin ruling its criminal underworld.
While fans may dream of a multiverse cameo, DeVito's firm stance means the baton has well and truly been passed. For now, audiences will have to be content with rewatching the original masterpiece and looking forward to the new stories yet to be told.
