BREAKING: In a surprising revelation, actress and producer Margot Robbie disclosed that the iconic villain The Penguin was originally intended to be the main antagonist in the 2020 film Birds of Prey. During an interview with Colin Farrell for Entertainment Weekly, Robbie explained that the character’s involvement was nixed due to a request from director Matt Reeves, who aimed to use The Penguin in his own upcoming project, The Batman.
Robbie stated, “Matt Reeves said, ‘Don’t use the Penguin. I’m going to use him in my thing.’” This change led to the introduction of Black Mask as the film’s antagonist, portrayed by Ewan McGregor. This significant script alteration could have reshaped the entire direction of the DC Universe, particularly impacting Warner Bros. Discovery’s award prospects.
The implications of this decision are profound. With The Penguin now a pivotal character in Reeves’ highly acclaimed The Batman, which was released in March 2022, his role gained additional importance through the award-winning HBO spinoff series. Robbie’s comments highlight how the DC Universe continuously evolves based on creative decisions, revealing just how close fans came to seeing a different narrative unfold.
The conversation took an engaging turn when Farrell expressed surprise at the news, showing that he was unaware of the alternate script. He even requested Robbie to share any versions of the script that included The Penguin. While it’s unclear if Robbie has complied with his request, the moment underscores the ongoing connections and surprises within the DC film community.
Looking ahead, audiences are eagerly anticipating Farrell’s return as The Penguin in The Batman Part II, set for release in October 2027. Meanwhile, the future of Robbie’s portrayal of Harley Quinn remains uncertain, with James Gunn, President of DC Studios, not providing any updates on her potential return.
As fans digest this latest update, the significance of creative control and collaboration in the cinematic landscape becomes ever more apparent. Expect further developments as the DC Universe continues to expand and evolve.
