Behold, HBO’s “The Penguin”, a tale woven within the same tapestry as “The Batman”, yet veiled in the shadows, shunning overt ties to the realm of Matt Reeves’ creation. In this realm, the characters of Carmine Falcone and his kin make a fleeting appearance, yet John Turturro, the thespian behind the enigmatic Carmine, chose not to reprise his role, and his reasons, like dark whispers in the night, yearn to be heard.
In the saga of “The Batman”, the illustrious Colin Farrell as Oz served under the watchful eye of Carmine until the moment of his demise, setting the stage for the emergence of the Penguin’s solo journey. Within these hallowed halls of deceit and power, Sofia Falcone emerges as a formidable force, challenging Oz’s reign with fierce determination. Though Carmine lingers in distant memories through a haunting flashback, it is Mark Strong who dons the mantle of the mobster, not Turturro.
Mystery shrouded Turturro’s absence from the grand stage, whispers of conflicting schedules and youthful visages swirling in the wind. Yet, the truth, as unveiled by the thespian himself, lay in the thematic undertones of the show. “Violence towards women,” Turturro declared, “is a path I shall not tread.” A noble stance indeed, yet the shadows of Carmine’s brutal inclinations loom large, within both the annals of “The Batman” and “The Penguin”.
As the curtain draws to a close on “The Penguin”, Turturro’s Carmine may find his final bow within the BatVerse, yielding to the indomitable presence of Mark Strong. The enigmatic figure of Carmine Falcone, a specter of power and violence, shall echo in the hearts of viewers, a somber reminder of the shadows that dwell within even the most luminous of cities.
Embrace the shadows, dear readers, for “The Penguin” dances in the ether of darkness, waiting to be discovered on Max’s streaming platform.
