Colin Farrell Wore a Penis Prosthetic for ‘The Penguin’ Premiere’s Torture Scene: ‘They Were Kind Enough to Make Oz Anatomically Correct’

I’ve had the privilege of immersing myself in the gritty, intricate world of “Gotham” as Oz, and let me tell you, it’s been quite a ride! The hours spent on set, transforming into this complex character, have been nothing short of exhilarating. And oh, the torture scene with Cristin Milioti? Absolutely electrifying! She’s a powerhouse of talent, and working alongside her was like conducting a symphony of raw emotions.

ATTENTION: This discussion reveals key events from the first episode of “The Penguin,” currently available on Max.

In the thrilling culmination of the initial episode of “HBO’s The Penguin,” I found myself utterly captivated as Colin Farrell‘s character, Oz Cobb, was subjected to a harrowing ordeal. This included being forcibly disrobed and enduring intense torment at the hands of Cristin Milioti’s Sofia Falcone. The intensity and raw emotion portrayed in this scene were truly mesmerizing.

Falcone acts on the belief that Oz is likely the culprit in the murder of her brother Alberto, a son of infamous crime boss Carmine Falcone, who met his end at the hands of Paul Dano’s Riddler in Matt Reeves’ 2022 movie “The Batman.

The setting is unsettling and eerie, and even more disturbing because Oz is completely unclothed. The makeup and prosthetics team working with Farrell were determined to portray Oz’s unique characteristics realistically.

While audiences don’t get a full view of Oz’s physical form, it doesn’t imply that the creative team didn’t fabricate prosthetic genitalia for Oz/Farrell to use in their production.

Farrell expresses his gratitude to EbMaster for mentioning that Michael Marino, the designer of “The Penguin’s” prosthetics, graciously made Oz anatomically accurate. He had a velcro piece to attach, along with a vintage-style pubic region as well. These extra prosthetics, tailored for the torture scene, were additional pieces added to the multiple layers of makeup and prosthetics he was already wearing on his body and face in order to undergo a complete physical transformation into The Penguin.

Farrell found it incredibly unsettling, which seemed odd since it was just makeup. The discomfort was so intense that he needed a towel during filming to shield himself. It was a bizarre psychological territory, a no man’s land of sorts, where one can find themselves when they serve as the canvas for something as potent as the makeup specifically created for it.

He goes on to say, “I felt incredibly vulnerable, despite the fact that I was far from it. I was completely concealed, yet hidden beneath a nude individual. It wasn’t as if I mistook myself for him, but it had an unusually powerful impact on my self-esteem.

HBO has created a crime-thriller spinoff series titled ‘The Penguin’. This series is set within the universe depicted in Reeves’ 2022 blockbuster film of Batman. The narrative unfolds approximately a week after the movie’s events, focusing on Cobb’s rapid ascent to become one of Batman’s most notorious adversaries in his rogues gallery.

Colin Farrell Wore a Penis Prosthetic for ‘The Penguin’ Premiere’s Torture Scene: ‘They Were Kind Enough to Make Oz Anatomically Correct’

As a passionate film enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that I’m deeply involved in the creation of this captivating series. The brilliant minds behind it are none other than Reeves and director Craig Zobel, who have taken on executive producer roles. Alongside me, the talented actors like Farrell, Milioti, Deidre O’Connell as Oz’s mother, Francis Cobb, Rhenzy Feliz portraying his young protege, Victor Aguilar, and Clancy Brown bringing Salvatore Maroni, a formidable rival crime boss, to life. Each of these stars contributes an essential piece to the intricate puzzle that is “The Penguin.

In the finale, I orchestrated a clever switch, leading the Falcones to believe that Maroni was responsible for Alberto’s death, as retribution for taking over his criminal domain.

LeFranc aimed to demonstrate that Oz was not someone to trifle with by exhibiting his knack for escaping this dangerous predicament. He’s strategic, driven, and forward-thinking – traits that allow him to consistently stay one move ahead of his adversaries in the game of life.

Oz, as a character, is both a gamer and a mastermind. He’s intelligent and strategic, and we clearly see his impulsive side in the initial episode, particularly when he’s ridiculed or disregarded. This individual is extremely resourceful, displaying this in both his violent actions and his ambition.” (LeFranc comments)

She explains further, “I didn’t prefer to leave our story on an abrupt cliffhanger. Instead, I aimed to establish the unique flavor of our series right from the start. Our protagonist Oz is capable of immense violence, yet he can be tormented by a woman and still appear unaffected, as if sipping a slushie at the end of the day. This peculiarity makes him intriguing, and I wanted to highlight this aspect.

Colin Farrell Wore a Penis Prosthetic for ‘The Penguin’ Premiere’s Torture Scene: ‘They Were Kind Enough to Make Oz Anatomically Correct’

Towards the end of the episode, Oz and Vic Aguilar are seen enjoying a slushie together, which is quite different from how we saw Vic attempting to lift Oz’s car tires at the beginning. After threatening to kill him for his actions, Oz eventually allows Vic to demonstrate his worth – he wants to test if Vic can keep pace with him as they work together towards Oz’s goal of reaching the peak of Gotham’s criminal hierarchy.

Fun fact: For those Batman comics fans who noticed how that tire scene mirrored that of Jason Todd’s introduction to the Dark Knight himself before his eventual turn as Robin in the comics, that parallel is intentional.

I read numerous comics as inspiration, and wanted to acknowledge what has preceded by using various forms of tribute. Initially, the character Victor was born from the thought, ‘Just like Batman has Robin, why can’t Oz have someone too?’ LeFranc explains. In our gritty criminal universe, it’s realistic that young men are trained to be violent within organized crime. This is a significant aspect; it’s the culture of grooming. So in many ways, Oz is grooming Victor, and I was intrigued by telling a story about this dynamic.

Vic hails from the rough neighborhoods of Gotham’s East Side and initially has a rocky connection with Oz. However, over time, they forge an unusual alliance, joining forces to confront the Falcone family.

When asked about why Vic stays loyal to Oz beyond the danger he presents, Feliz explains, “I believe one reason could be, ‘What path lies before me if I don’t follow Oz? In other words, without Oz, what do I have?’

Feliz expresses, “He views Oz as the solution to his query. There’s a charm in the lifestyle Oz leads,” he notes. “There’s wealth, there’s power, and above all, there’s self-assurance that Oz exudes, which I believe Victor finds quite captivating.

He begins to ponder, ‘Perhaps I could achieve great things. Despite my life not amounting to much thus far, I now have a chance to be involved in something significant beyond myself.’ This idea invigorates him, and though he fears he might be wrong, this is the choice he desires.

In Episode 1 of “The Penguin,” we delve deeply into the universe crafted by Reeves for “Batman,” skillfully setting up the storyline for this character within the series.

In this piece, we’ll explore the most jaw-dropping scenes from the premiere, along with a glimpse into what viewers can anticipate as the series unfolds further.

It’s hard to believe that such extensive efforts were put into designing these prosthetics, which ultimately remained hidden from the public eye.

Well, we didn’t know if the camera would be a wide shot. Mike was hedging his bet; he leaves nothing left to chance. I was tied to the chair for hours. I couldn’t move because they had to mold it. They had to make the body, and mold it in the position I was going to be in because there’s not so much to give when you’re doing limbs. They had to wheel me in a wheelchair into the set from the trailer. Took six or seven hours of makeup.

It took seven hours to do your makeup?

Initially, I sat in the makeup station for approximately three hours, followed by being transferred to a wheelchair for around 3-4 hours. Later, I was pushed about 300 yards to the set, placed inside, and then the shooting commenced. This lasted for a few more hours, but it was quite exciting.

What was it like filming the most intense, climactic scene involving torture together with Cristin Milioti? That particular scene stood out the most in the entire episode.

It’s a delight to collaborate with Cristin, her talent is effortlessly authentic on set and off. Unlike some actors, there’s an immediate connection with Cristin, and her performances are both powerful and subtly nuanced. Her character carries a profound depth of pain which adds layers to her portrayal. What impressed me most about the show’s creator, Lauren, was their careful attention to every character’s development. Even though the series is titled “The Penguin,” it’s not just my story; each character has their own journey, and I appreciated that immensely.

What sort of person might you describe Oz as, given his execution of the scheme to hand over Alberto’s corpse to the Falcones?

He’ll go to any length necessary. He’s relentless in his pursuit of his goals, unwilling to compromise on his unique perspective. He doesn’t even entertain the idea of betrayal: You just do whatever it takes to succeed. And he was raised under challenging circumstances. His mother looked after him, but he lost both his brothers at a young age and his father was mostly absent, leaving him with a deep understanding of hardship. This has made him particularly perceptive about human behavior. He may not always understand himself, as is common, but he can read other people well – their motivations, needs, desires, vulnerabilities, and weaknesses. He uses this knowledge to his advantage without hesitation or remorse.

How does the brash shooting of Alberto at the top of the episode fit into that caricature?

To clarify, Alberto’s action wasn’t premeditated, as he himself terms it “an impulse.” However, his mother corrects him, arguing that it wasn’t an impulse but rather a strong, innate response, which she calls “instinct.

Impulse, you could say, is an unrefined instinct that acts without restraint or thoughtful consideration. When you feel an instinct towards something, it turns into a strong urge to act on it. The combination of this urge and the actual action taken is what we call the impulse acted out. In his case, he’s quite cunning, with an exceptional talent for planning. However, his impulsiveness, which can be quite perilous, often accompanies him.

What’s your take on why Oz seems attracted to Vic, and why does he choose to nurture their bond rather than ending it altogether?

In Oz, I perceive a sense of vulnerability. Unintentionally, this might be read as a chance for companionship. It seems Oz is more isolated than he understands, but his vulnerability, in my opinion, and the way Vic begs me to spare his life, could be harnessed. The urgency and desperation in that plea stem from a person who I believe can be utilized in various ways. In turn, Oz could serve multiple purposes for him.

I should stop talking about Oz in the first person. It’s only been eight months…

This interview was edited and condensed.

2024-09-20 05:18

Colin Farrell Wore a Penis Prosthetic for ‘The Penguin’ Premiere’s Torture Scene: ‘They Were Kind Enough to Make Oz Anatomically Correct’

Read More

Minority Mindset