Danny DeVitoiconic Hollywood figure known for his versatility in playing various characters, including an Italian mobster and a cruel father in “Matilda”. However, his role as the Penguin in “Batman Returns” in 1992 was a unique challenge. What few know is that DeVito followed a peculiar diet during filming.
Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot, the villain’s real name, is a sinister character, a psychopathic and deformed criminal. Raised by penguins, he acquired their behaviors and mannerisms. He even went so far as to eat raw fish in one memorable scene.
While Michael Keaton and Michelle Pfeiffer braved elaborate costumes and challenging action scenes, neither had to undergo a nutritional regimen as unusual as Danny DeVito’s.
So what exactly did he do? Did she binge eat to gain weight or embark on an extreme exercise regimen? Here we tell you.
THE DIET THAT DANNY DEVITO DID FOR “BATMAN RETURNS”
For his role in “Batman Returns,” Danny DeVito did not follow a conventional diet of gaining or losing weight. Instead, he took a truly unique approach. DeVito completely immersed himself in the role of the monstrous Penguin, and to stay in tune with the character, he turned to an unusual dietary choice: raw fish!
DeVito’s commitment was exceptional, and his immersion in the character was so deep that he never broke the role on set. When he put on the Penguin suit, he completely transformed, using his characteristic threatening voice and maintaining a sullen and insatiable attitude.
“Once he was in that costume, he was the Penguin. He always had the character of him, using a threatening voice. I saw Danny after the movie, never during production“Christopher Walken, who played Max Shreck in the film, said in an interview with THR.
Furthermore, in an interview with Daily Telegraphthe villain confessed that in the iconic scene in which his character ate raw fish, that was really what he was eating: “Oh yes, that was real fish. Blue Fish. Fresh, of course. Movie stars only eat fresh fish. Don’t try to pawn us two-day-old fish. You bring it directly from the market”he joked.