Colin Farrell Says ‘You Better Believe’ He Worried 'The Penguin' Wouldn’t Be Released

Colin Farrell may need to make a bit more space in his display case after the 2025 Emmy nominees were announced.

After taking home a Golden Globe and Critics' Choice award for his role as Oswald 'Oz' Cobb (Penguin) in The Penguin, Farrell is now an Emmy nominee for the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.

The hit series on HBO Max has earned rave reviews from critics and fans. However, Farrell dropped a surprising tidbit about The Penguin during a recent interview, explaining that there were times he didn't think the show would even be seen.

In an interview with Variety, Farrell referenced the six-month strike between writers and actors, but also criticized the production of the movie Batgirl, which was subsequently canceled.

Cristin Milioti and Colin Farrell attend 'The Penguin' FYC Event at Paramount Theatre.

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic for HBO

On whether Farrell ever had a moment he thought The Penguin might never make it to television:

"Yeah, a couple [moments], like the during the strike. And in a world where they can make a “Batgirl” film and then just can it," Farrell said. "...I don’t understand it — the debits and credits and ledgers and, f--king, all that stuff — but they can decide that it’s economically advantageous to just shelve a $90 million film that people have put so much effort into it."

"You better believe it. When we were in the middle of the strike, I remember saying to my sister, “I don’t know if we’re gonna go back to this. I don’t know if we’re gonna finish it.” I did get nervous."

It's an eye-opening admission from Farrell, especially considering the response The Penguin received. The show boasts a stellar 95 percent average critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an 85 percent rating from fans.

Farrell's statement also poses the question of what other movies or shows may have been pulled during the strike. Regardless, The Penguin made it to air and didn't disappoint when it got there.

Related: Tom Cruise Reveals Shocking Number of Movies He’s Working on Right Now