Danny DeVito compares ‘Batman’ version to Collin Farrell’s: ‘My Penguin was better’

Who is the superior penguin? Danny DeVito, who played the iconic antagonist in “Batman Returns,” claims he defeated Collin Farrell in the villain showdown.

The actor-filmmaker is best known for his role as Oswald Cobblepot, AKA “The Penguin,” in the 1992 film “Batman Returns.” Collin Farrell plays the iconic antagonist in the recent DC film “The Batman,” starring Robert Pattinson.

In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, the 77-year-old actor played a lie detector test game with his daughter Lucy DeVito. Random questions were thrown at DeVito, ranging from favorite daughters to boy bands, until he was asked about Collin Farrell’s portrayal of “The Penguin.”

Before admitting his personal opinion, the “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” actor replied honestly that he thinks Farrell is a “terrific guy.”

DeVito admitted, which made his daughter laugh:

“I love Collin. He’s a terrific guy. My Penguin was better. Was that the truth? It most certainly was. In my opinion.”

Given that the DC comics universe has expanded to many different cinematic universes, DeVito and Farrell’s versions of the penguin are very different.

Tim Burton designed DeVito’s portrayal of “The Penguin” in “Batman Returns,” complete with a pointed nose, flipper hands, and his signature top hat. The villain in Burton’s version is a “misunderstood monster” raised in the sewers. Meanwhile, Farrell’s “The Penguin” is a crime boss who worked for the Falcone Crime Syndicate in Gotham City, where he oversaw the production of the spreading narcotic, Drops.

Many fans have praised DeVito’s performance for decades, even calling him “the best live-action Batman villain.”

According to a review by MovieWeb:

“The Penguin has speech pattern differences, a unique way of walking, and a generally chaotic demeanor that are all captured perfectly by DeVito.”

Despite the fact that the majority of fans prefer DeVito’s performance, many believe that Farrell’s “The Penguin” is more versatile and fits well with the realism in Matt Reeve’s DC film universe.

DeVito rose to prominence as an actor-comedian before making his directorial debut in “The Ratings Game.” He received an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture for “Erin Brockovich.” Collins Farrell, meanwhile, was nominated for Best Supporting Actor by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films.