The Penguin, an exciting new spinoff from HBO’s The Batman, has cast Mark Strong in a pivotal role, a decision that has received positive feedback from fans.
This superhero TV series is set one week after the Riddler’s devastating terrorist attack on Gotham; however, viewers shouldn’t expect to see Robert Pattinson’s caped crusader speeding through the streets in his Batmobile.
Instead, the narrative centers around Colin Farrell’s main character, the titular Penguin, as he navigates the treacherous landscape of the fractured city. He will face challenges from Sofia Falcone, portrayed by Cristin Milioti, who aims to reclaim her late father’s empire after her time in Arkham Asylum.
In the original 2022 film, Carmine Falcone was played by John Turturro, who was tracked down and killed by the Riddler, although it initially appeared as though the Penguin was responsible just before his arrest.
Nevertheless, this notorious Batman adversary and mob boss is making a comeback, portrayed by Mark Strong instead of John Turturro.
There are a couple of reasons behind this change. Firstly, since Carmine is deceased, he will only appear in flashbacks (likely set before Sofia’s time in Arkham). Secondly, Turturro, who was initially the preferred choice, was unavailable due to his commitments with Severance Season 2.
Mark Strong as Carmine Falcone in The Penguin. pic.twitter.com/63cSPGFjvM
— Home of DCU (@homeofdcu) September 17, 2024
Showrunner Lauren LeFranc shared insights with CinemaBlend, stating, “John Turturro is just, he’s a busy actor, you know? So his schedule made it really tricky for us.
“But honestly, I think what Mark Strong did was so exceptional. It would’ve been great to have John, but I’m really excited for people to see what Mark does with the role because he’s really – he’s very intimidating, and very emotional.”
Mark Strong has an impressive background with DC Comics, having portrayed the villain Sinestro in Green Lantern, as well as Dr. Sivana, the antagonist in Shazam.
The impact of the Falcone family patriarch’s fallout on the upcoming The Batman 2 remains uncertain, but it is vital to watch The Penguin first. “We are the bridge between the two films. We’re going almost directly into the second film Matt has planned,” LeFranc mentioned.
The Penguin is set to premiere on HBO on September 19. In the meantime, be sure to explore other TV shows streaming this month and check out our list of the best superhero movies of all time.
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