“It’s very specific” – Understanding Why Carmine Falcone Was Recast in The Penguin

The inaugural episode of The Penguin, a spinoff of The Batman, has just launched on HBO Max. Returning to Matt Reeves’ DC universe, showrunner Lauren Lefranc delves into the storyline of Oswald Cobblepot, detailing his ascent as a crime lord in Gotham City following the demise of Carmine Falcone, which created a significant power vacuum in the criminal underworld.

While John Turturro portrayed Carmine Falcone in The Batman, viewers of The Penguin may have noticed that a different actor, Mark Strong, is now playing the character. Strong is well-known for his roles in various DC projects, including Green Lantern, Shazam!, and Shazam! Fury of the Gods.

Fans curious about Turturro’s absence from The Penguin can find insight in an interview with showrunner Lauren Lefranc, who cited scheduling conflicts as the reason for his non-participation.

“Well, practically, John was just unavailable to us,”stated Lauren. “He had scheduling conflicts, and we couldn’t make it work, but honestly, I’m so thrilled that we brought Mark Strong on. I think he’s really good. Even though, maybe in the beginning when you first meet him, you might think, ‘Oh. Well, for fans of The Batman, I’m so used to John Turturro,’ and obviously John’s a great actor, but I feel like the gravitas that Mark brings, it’s different. It’s very specific, and I hope, by the end of that episode, you’re just thinking, ‘That’s Carmine Falcone,’ and you’re engaged in what Mark brings to it.”

Although Mark Strong is slated to appear in upcoming episodes of The Penguin, fans will get just a glimpse of him in a newspaper clipping in the current episode. You can watch the first episode of the series streaming on HBO Max right now.

What Happened to Carmine Falcone in The Batman?

Before Mark Strong took on the role of Carmine Falcone in The Penguin, John Turturro portrayed the character in The Batman. In this film, Falcone served as one of the primary antagonists, running the drug trade in Gotham. Oswald Cobblepot was even one of his enforcers.

A key narrative arc in The Batman centered around Batman’s quest to identify the informant responsible for dismantling Sal Maroni’s crime syndicate, which turned out to be Carmine Falcone.

However, after his arrest, Falcone was shot by the Riddler, igniting a fierce power struggle among Gotham’s criminal factions.

It appears that Mark Strong will portray a flashback version of Carmine Falcone in The Penguin, indicating that his role may not be prominent due to the character’s death within this universe.

What Is The Penguin About?

The Penguin is a DC Comics television series that serves as a spinoff from The Batman. Developed by Lauren Lefranc, the show takes place one week after the film’s events. Colin Farrell reprises his role as the notorious DC villain.

The series chronicles Oswald Cobblepot’s attempts to navigate the aftermath of The Batman. Following Carmine Falcone’s death, various crime families vie for control in Gotham, launching a significant battle for power.

Seizing the opportunity, Oswald aims to establish himself, charting his journey to power throughout the series.

Joining Colin Farrell are stars Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz, Clancy Brown, and others. You can stream the first episode of the series on Max right now.

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