Colin Farrell Applauds Heath Ledger & Joaquin Phoenix After Joining Them as Golden Globe-Winning Comic Book Villains
Colin Farrell won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of The Penguin, joining a select group of actors who have earned the award for playing comic book villains. Before him, only Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix achieved this honor for their unforgettable performances as the Joker in The Dark Knight and Joker, respectively.
When reflecting on this recognition, Farrell remained humble and praised his predecessors. “You mentioned two actors who are, for my money, two of the most extraordinarily talented and brilliant artists in film. What Heath did in The Dark Knight was extraordinary and will live on for generations. And Joaquin’s portrayal in Joker—as shown by all the awards he won, including the Oscar—was equally special,” he said. “To even have my name mentioned in the same sentence as those performances is lovely, but I’m still just a fan of it all.”
Farrell also downplayed any comparisons between himself and these legendary actors. “I don’t feel like I’m part of that pantheon,” he admitted. “Joaquin and Heath were extraordinarily honest and brilliant in their work.”
Farrell’s win comes years after Heath Ledger’s posthumous Golden Globe in 2009 for The Dark Knight and Joaquin Phoenix’s win in 2020 for Joker. Backstage, Farrell reflected on his career and expressed gratitude for the chances he’s had, joking about the Globes’ generosity. “One would think there was a fix,” he said with a laugh.
He also shared his thoughts on acting as a privilege. “We can all work hard, but so much of this depends on factors beyond our control,” he explained. “That’s why I don’t feel a lot of pride in myself. I’m just thankful to work with people I admire and bring stories to life. It’s such a joy—especially knowing how many actors struggle to find work. For me, it’s all about gratitude.”
‘The Penguin’ Renewed for Season 2
Following the Golden Globes ceremony, Lauren LeFranc, the showrunner of The Penguin, shared her thoughts on the show’s success and whether she’d consider creating another project within Matt Reeves’ The Batman universe.
As the first spinoff from the 2022 film The Batman, The Penguin explores Gotham City’s gritty, crime-ridden underworld while paving the way for Reeves’ sequel, The Batman – Part II. Although Robert Pattinson’s Batman doesn’t appear in the series, it delves into Gotham’s shifting criminal power dynamics and adds depth to Reeves’ vision of the city.
Speaking to ScreenRant at the 2025 Golden Globes, LeFranc expressed pride in the positive response to The Penguin. She explained that the series was originally designed as a standalone story but left open the possibility of continuing if the right idea or characters emerged. LeFranc also hinted she’d be open to working on another project in this universe, as long as it offered a fresh, personal creative opportunity.
Reflecting on future projects, LeFranc emphasized the importance of finding a personal connection to a character. She credited The Penguin’s success to the bond she felt with Oswald “Oz” Cobblepot and the fresh perspective she was able to bring to his world. For any future projects, she said, this connection would remain key.
“We were meant to be a limited series, so I’m really proud of the first season and the story that we made,” LeFranc said. “There’s more stories to tell there, for sure, if we can find the right idea or the right characters.”
When asked about other DC characters she might want to explore, LeFranc responded:
“For me, it’s just about making sure I can find a personal connection to that character and feel like I can do something unique and different with them. That’s what I felt like I found with Oz, and then in that world, I was able to bring in Sofia and all these other characters. So, for me, it’s always seeking something personal. And if I can latch onto that, I’d be honored to.”
While there are no immediate plans for more The Penguin episodes or a new project, LeFranc’s comments suggest she’s open to returning to Reeves’ Gotham—if the right inspiration strikes.
Colin Farrell’s win was well-deserved! But how do you feel about The Penguin and Cristin missing out on awards? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
