Colin Farrell Is Completely Unrecognizable in Iconic Villain Role

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The star returns soon as a fan-favorite character.

Irish actor Colin Farrell is officially back as the iconic Batman villain Oswald “The Penguin” Cobblepot, but for anyone who doesn't already know that it's Farrell in the role, you certainly wouldn't recognize him.

The star completely transforms to play the character, starring in his own spinoff series coming soon to HBO Max. New set photos show Farrell filming a scene outside in New York City, with his intense, identity-concealing hair and makeup on full display.

Colin Farrell is seen on the set of "The Penguin" on March 06, 2023, in New York City.<p>Jason Howard/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images</p>
Colin Farrell is seen on the set of "The Penguin" on March 06, 2023, in New York City.

Jason Howard/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

In the show, Farrell covers up his hair with a piece that is balding on the top, while the sides are thicker. Along with that, the actor's face looks totally different, with the hair, makeup, and prosthetics team adding a heavier chin and rough skin with wrinkles and scars across his face, which are particularly intense along his forehead.

Of course, there's also the Penguin's trademark pointed nose, which really completes the transformation.

Colin Farrell and Rhenzy Feliz on the set of "The Penguin" in New York City.<p>Jason Howard/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images</p>
Colin Farrell and Rhenzy Feliz on the set of "The Penguin" in New York City.

Jason Howard/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

<em>Colin Farrell and Rhenzy Feliz on the set of "The Penguin" in New York City.</em><p>Jason Howard/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images</p>
Colin Farrell and Rhenzy Feliz on the set of "The Penguin" in New York City.

Jason Howard/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

In the scene being filmed, Farrell, in character, walks out of a building to his car—a Maserati in his staple colors of purple and gold. The scene continues with actor Rhenzy Feliz, whose role has not been announced yet.

Farrell first appeared as the Penguin in 2022's The Batman, starring Robert Pattinson as the titular hero. He was a big hit with audiences, leading the studio to greenlight a spinoff TV series at HBO Max, and the show is highly anticipated, though, since The Penguin just started filming, it'll likely be a while until it premieres on the streaming platform.

Along with Farrell and Feliz, the cast also includes Cristin Milioti as Sofia Falcone, the daughter of Gotham mob boss Carmine Falcone. In The Batman, John Turturro played Falcone, but he, unfortunately, didn't make it out of the film alive, leaving Gotham's criminal underbelly in a power struggle.

Another mob boss, Salvatore Maroni, will be played by Clancy Brown, while Shohreh Aghdashloo, Michael Kelly, and Deirdre O'Connell are also listed as cast members on the show's IMDb page.