Looks like The Batman has found its Penguin – and it’s not Jonah Hill, as many were expecting. Matt Reeves’ The Batman is part of a new wave of films from DC’s Extended Universe, one that is looking to revive and boost this universe after some not so successful films. As such, The Batman isn’t part of the continuity of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League, and features a new Bruce Wayne (Robert Pattinson) as well as other characters that have been recast.
Because this is a new opportunity for Warner Bros. to make things right with Batman fans, the film will include some of the most iconic characters from the comics, many of whom haven’t been introduced to the DCEU before. Among those already confirmed and cast are Catwoman (Zoë Kravitz) and The Riddler (Paul Dano), but there’s another villain that will join the fun: The Penguin, which might have already found its actor in Colin Farrell. However, Farrell wasn’t the first option, and fans were hoping for someone else to take on the role.
Jonah Hill was rumored to be in talks to play The Penguin, and fans were quick to express their interest in seeing Hill as one of Gotham’s most iconic mobsters. But even before Farrell became the studios’ main option for the character, Jonah Hill was already out. Here’s what happened.
Who Jonah Hill Was Supposed To Play In The Batman
Jonah Hill was reportedly interested in two villainous roles in The Batman: The Penguin and The Riddler. First reported in September by THR, Hill was in early talks to play either character, and according to their report, neither Hill or the studio could decide on which character he should play, and it was unclear if they could even reach an agreement. Naturally, the uncertainty of Hill’s involvement in The Batman didn’t stop fans from creating pieces of fan art showing how he would look as The Penguin and The Riddler. In the end, Jonah Hill left the project, and Warner Bros. cast Paul Dano as The Riddler, with a confirmation on Farrell playing The Penguin still pending.
Why Jonah Hill Hasn’t Been Cast In The Batman
Negotiations weren’t as smooth and close to an agreement as many thought and hoped, and it was revealed that Jonah Hill had dropped out as they were “too far apart on a deal”. Time doesn’t stop for anyone, not even for the Caped Crusader, and Warner wanted to get moving right away (after all, The Batman has June 2021 as projected release date, so they should get everything ready soon), and a day after it was revealed Hill was officially out, Paul Dano was announced to play The Riddler. According to some reports, it’s believed that the studio already had an offer ready to go out to Dano once Hill passed on the role, as negotiations had been going for too long.
The entertainment industry is a roller coaster and truly anything could happen with The Batman and their casting choices. For now, Jonah Hill is no longer in consideration to play any character, and Colin Farrell might instead take on the role of The Penguin, while Andy Serkis plays Bruce’s loyal butler Alfred Pennyworth.
