Danny DeVito loved 'the operatic element' of Batman Returns

Perth Now

02-06-2025

Danny DeVito "loved" playing The Penguin in 'Batman Returns'.
The 80-year-old actor played the iconic character in the 1992 superhero film, and DeVito relished the opportunity of playing The Penguin in the Tim Burton-directed movie.
The Hollywood star - who appeared in the film alongside the likes of Michael Keaton, Michelle Pfeiffer and Christopher Walken - told Variety: "I loved it because it gave you a freedom that burst out."
DeVito particularly cherished working with the film's director.
He said: "You can go off the rails with something.
"The operatic element of Tim Burton's 'Batman Returns' was my favourite thing about it - the music and sets and the whole thing. The Shakespeare of it - 'All the world's a stage.' [The Penguin's] realm and his penguins and his minions and his passion. I loved that."
DeVito also enjoyed the experience of working with Michelle Pfeiffer, who played Catwoman in the superhero film.
He shared: "I'm not comparing anything, but I'm just saying, she was a goddess. If I knew she was going to be in a scene that day … I got all flushed. Put extra makeup on - 'Give me another pound of makeup.' It was very difficult."
DeVito actually spent hours in a make-up chair every day before filming.
The veteran actor said: "We started with a five- or six-hour make-up job, then they whittled it down. Every morning, I was in the chair for three and a half hours."
Despite this, DeVito ultimately developed a strict ritual during the shoot that helped him to cope with the long working days.
He said: "I was there every day for 66 days.
"In make-up, cooking pasta in the afternoon, having meals, making meatballs. I'm in the middle of a scene in the Penguin's lair, and this wonderful guy who worked with me, I [call] him over. He goes through all these catwalks; he goes, 'What is it, Dan?' And I said, 'Stir the sauce.' He had to go back to the trailer to stir the tomato sauce."
What's more, DeVito actually spent time with some penguins in preparation for playing the iconic character.
The movie star recalled: "I went down to the zoo in San Diego, and they let me in the back to go hang out with the king penguins."
DeVito's performance as The Penguin remains one of the most memorable of his career. And the actor previously revealed that he'd happily return to the Batman franchise if Tim Burton helms another movie.
He told ScreenRant: "If Tim Burton was directing it, I'd be there in a second. Oswald Cobblepot is my favourite. I had a good time. Its operatic.
"I like every once in a while going big, and so I'd do that in a second. We had a ball doing that."