Colin Farrell Praises Heath Ledger & Joaquin Phoenix After Being the Third Actor to Win a Golden Globe for Playing a Comic Book Villain

Colin Farrell has earned a Golden Globe for his role in The Penguin, placing him in a rare category of actors who have won the award for portraying comic book villains. Before him, only Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix achieved this award for their iconic performances as the Joker in The Dark Knight and Joker, respectively.

When asked about this honor, Farrell was humble and full of praise for 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.”

Despite the comparison, Farrell was quick to downplay his place among these acting legends. “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 recognition comes years after Ledger’s posthumous Golden Globe win in 2009 for The Dark Knight and Phoenix’s win in 2020 for Joker. Reflecting on his career backstage, Farrell expressed gratitude for the opportunities he’s had, joking about the Globes’ generosity over the years. “One would think there was a fix,” he quipped.

He also shared his perspective on acting as a privilege. “We can all work hard, but there are so many factors beyond our control that lead to these opportunities,” he said. “That’s why I don’t feel too much pride in myself. I’m just grateful to go to work with people I admire and bring scripts to life. It’s such a joy, especially knowing how many actors face unemployment. It’s gratitude, plain and simple.”

‘The Penguin’ renewed for Season 2

Furthermore, after the Golden Globes ceremony, Lauren LeFranc, the showrunner behind The Penguin, recently shared her thoughts on the show’s success and whether she would consider creating another project in Matt Reeves’ The Batman Universe.

As the first spinoff from the 2022 film The Batman, The Penguin dives deeper into Gotham City’s gritty, crime-filled underworld while setting the stage for Reeves’ upcoming sequel, The Batman – Part II. Although Robert Pattinson’s Batman doesn’t appear in the series, it explores Gotham’s shifting criminal power dynamics and adds depth to the universe Reeves has created.

Speaking to ScreenRant at the 2025 Golden Globes, LeFranc expressed pride in the overwhelmingly positive reception of The Penguin. She emphasized that the series was designed as a limited story but left the door open for a follow-up if the right concept or characters emerged. LeFranc also hinted at her willingness to take on a new project in this universe, provided it offered a unique and personal creative opportunity.

Reflecting on the possibility of future projects, LeFranc said she would only pursue another series if she felt a personal connection to the character. She explained that the success of The Penguin came from finding that connection with Oswald “Oz” Cobblepot and building a world around him that felt fresh and engaging. For LeFranc, any future endeavor would have to strike a similar chord.

She explained: “We were meant to be a limited series, so I’m really proud of the first season and the story that we made. There’s more stories to tell there, for sure, if we can find the right idea or the right characters.”

When asked if there was another DC character she would like to explore, LeFranc replied:
“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 a continuation of The Penguin or a new project, LeFranc’s comments suggest she is open to returning to Reeves’ Gotham—provided the right inspiration strikes.

Colin Farrell’s win was deserved. But how come ‘The Penguin’ and Cristin didn’t get a win? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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