THE BATMAN: Josh Gad Reveals Exactly How Close He Came To Landing The Role Of The Penguin

THE BATMAN: Josh Gad Reveals Exactly How Close He Came To Landing The Role Of The Penguin

Jonah Hill was reportedly the frontrunner to portray the Penguin in Matt Reeves' The Batman, however a high salary request resulted in the role going to Colin Farrell.

By MarkJulian - Nov 22, 2019 02:11 PM EST
Filed Under: The Batman
Source: THR
Long before Jonah Hill was first reported to be WB's first choice for the role of Oswald Copplepot/Penguin in The Batman, Josh Gad was campaigning pretty hard for the role on social media.  Ultimately, things didn't work out with Hill and the Colin Farrell was selected by the studio and Matt Reeves. So did Gad's efforts ever bear fruit and at least get his name on the shortlist?

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter to promote his role as Olaf in Frozen 2, Gad did reveal that he actually spoke with Reeves about the role.  "Matt and I had a brief exchange about it, and the truth is that there was never really any serious attempt to play the role of The Penguin in The Batman. It actually started off with me posting a picture one day and just having fun trolling the Internet," said Gad. 

If you've been following the saga of WB's quest to relaunch the Batman franchise, you're likely aware of the absurd amount of fan art and fan casting that sprung up as a result of Gad "just having fun trolling the internet."  Gad went on to add, "At a certain point, it just became really fun because of the speculation. There were talks along the way with DC about it. There were talks along the way with Matt about it. But, the truth is, I never went in to go discuss it. I never went on tape for it."

"Frankly, I think they made a really cool choice. I cannot wait to see Matt’s Batman movie, and we happen to be really good friends because we’re fathers at the same school. So, for the most part, it’s been just a great laugh between the two of us.
"

The Batman is scheduled to be released in North America on June 25, 2021. Confirmed cast includes  Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Jeffrey Wright  as James Gordon,  Zoë Kravitz as Selina Kyle/Catwoman, Paul Dano as Edward Nashton / The Riddler, Colin Farrell as Oswald Copplepot/Penguin, and Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth.

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Pigdango
Pigdango - 11/22/2019, 2:28 PM
Gad would have been great. Not sure why that didn't work out. Farrell struggles when he tries to play anything but subdued.
knocturnalzen10
knocturnalzen10 - 11/22/2019, 2:30 PM
just watched lighthouse ... yea i'll absolve him from Twilight moving forward ...... i'm pumped to see what he can do with Bruce and Batman

Gad definitely has the look but hopefully Farrell can bring penguin a nice presents like DeVito
TexasAvenger
TexasAvenger - 11/22/2019, 10:26 PM
@knocturnalzen10 - Why'd ya spill yer beans?
TexasAvenger
TexasAvenger - 11/23/2019, 5:46 AM
@BountyCipher - It's a line from The Lighthouse.
knocturnalzen10
knocturnalzen10 - 11/23/2019, 9:10 AM
@TexasAvenger - i would've beaten dafoe's a** within the first 20 mins of the film lol lol
TexasAvenger
TexasAvenger - 11/23/2019, 11:44 AM
@BountyCipher - My bad! You like my cooking?
TexasAvenger
TexasAvenger - 11/23/2019, 11:44 AM
@knocturnalzen10 - Mostly cuz he kept farting lmao
LordHarryLatts
LordHarryLatts - 11/22/2019, 2:35 PM
I wanted Adrien Brody to gain 60 pounds and get the role. He just seems odd, but weirdly fitting the Penguin...though I'm not exactly sure why.
KWilly
KWilly - 11/22/2019, 2:46 PM
Honestly would've liked to see what he could've done as The Penguin.

Darkknight2149
Darkknight2149 - 11/22/2019, 3:16 PM
Anthony Hopkins was my top choice. I don't really see Collin Farrell as Oswald Cobblepot, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. The rest of the cast looks great so far.
Darkknight2149
Darkknight2149 - 11/22/2019, 3:19 PM


Darkknight2149
Darkknight2149 - 11/22/2019, 3:22 PM
toylled
toylled - 11/22/2019, 3:51 PM
Exactly. I knew it was a trolling thing to do. This happens a lot, when will the fanboys realise.
cyclopsprime
cyclopsprime - 11/22/2019, 4:14 PM
What's the point of celebrities asking for more money for a role
Kyos
Kyos - 11/22/2019, 4:34 PM
I'd have had no problem seeing him as Affleck's Penguin, because whatever. But now that that's over I'm more than okay with him not in the role.
SpideyPuffsMJ
SpideyPuffsMJ - 11/22/2019, 5:57 PM
However close is too close. Guy is a little overexposed and Im dying to see how Farrell nails it.
789
789 - 11/23/2019, 7:53 AM
Both Jonah and Josh were excellent choices for Penguin, shame on WB.
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