Colin Farrell Reflects on Two-Decade Rise,From “Tigerland“ to “The Penguin” and Beyond
DUBLIN – Colin Farrell,currently being honored with the Golden Icon award,has spent two decades navigating a career marked by both critical acclaim and a purposeful pursuit of connection within the acting community. From his breakout role in Ridley Scott’s “Tigerland” (2000) to his immersive portrayal of the Penguin and a recent turn in edward Berger’s “The Ballad of a Small Player,” Farrell discussed his journey, the challenges of inhabiting complex characters, and his viewpoint on the industry’s accolades.
Farrell’s performance as the Penguin in Matt Reeves’ “The Batman” (2022) proved so compelling it spawned the HBO spin-off series, allowing him to fully explore the character. “I can do five hours a day riffing as the Penguin, and even my sense of humor changes.I’d call my kids in character,” he revealed. He will reprise the role in Reeves’ upcoming “The Batman: part II,” though he anticipates a smaller part. “I’ve read the script, from start to finish, and I can’t say much about it. But it’s deeper, scarier, the stakes are bigger. I’m really excited to see it.”
The actor’s recent work extends beyond the superhero realm with “The Ballad of a Small Player,” a project he’d been discussing with director Edward Berger as before Berger’s Oscar wins for “All Quiet on the Western Front” and “Conclave.” Filmed on location in Macau, Farrell described the experience as “an assault on the senses,” mirroring the script’s intensity. “It’s incredibly loud, the colors are brash and bombastic…I flew through the script, but I kind of felt nauseous reading it as well. There’s nothing subtle about it.”
Farrell portrays Lord Doyle in “Small Player” as “somebody who’s on the precipice of insanity…he’s living in an incredibly aggressive kind of spiritual or emotional vacuum, with no connection to anyone. Like all addicts, regardless of what the addiction is, who inevitably end up in an emotional or spiritual vacuum.” The film’s demanding nature left the cast “fairly raw” by its conclusion, prompting Farrell to prioritize time at home with his children.
Looking back on a career punctuated by awards - including a Golden Globe win and best actor nomination for “The Banshees of Inisherin” and a best actor Emmy nomination for ”The Penguin” – Farrell expressed a cautious view of accolades. “The nominations are the most joyous part of it,” he said. “winning an award is a little bit of separation.The real juice is just being part of the community, when you and another group of actors are told: You did OK.”
