Highlights
- The Penguin series in The Batman takes inspiration from The Long Halloween in depicting Carmine Falcone's relationship with Bruce Wayne.
- The Falcone crime family is likely involved in The Penguin series, indicating that Oswald Cobblepot may have to go through them to become the new kingpin of Gotham.
- Mark Strong has joined the cast of The Penguin series and IMDb suggests he will be playing Carmine Falcone, although other theories and possibilities exist for his role.
The Batman takes inspiration from The Long Halloween in depicting Carmine Falcone's relationship with Bruce Wayne. However, one thing that isn’t in the comics is how The Penguin series appears to bring back the prior Kingpin of Gotham. That said, appearances can also be deceiving.
It has been reported that the Falcone crime family is involved in The Penguin series. This is to be expected if Oswald Cobblepot is to rise in the ranks of Gotham's underworld and take up his predestined title as the Penguin, subsequently becoming the new kingpin of Gotham following the demise of Carmine, meaning he may have to go through the Falcone family to do so. Even so, bringing Falcone back from the dead, with what appears to be a new actor, could offer further insight into how The Penguin series recontextualizes Cobblepot and Falcone in the aftermath of The Batman.
IMDB states that Mark Strong is joining the cast of The Penguin series as Carmine Falcone in one of the eight episodes (via The Art of The Batman on X). No other information is given at this time, but with the WGA strikes having come to a close, The Penguin series can pick back up where it left off, meaning audiences can expect more information on the series soon. Until then, The Penguin behind-the-scenes sneak peek and the Riddler Year One limited series written by Paul Dano should tide fans over until the first official trailer releases.
There are a few theories, including Strong's role as Carmine representing a title as someone whom the Penguin would have to contend with for kingpin of Gotham. Another theory suggests Strong plays Carmine in a flashback sequence, which would be interesting since Strong is only six years younger than John Turturro. Perhaps the most exciting idea is this being a placeholder title for something more thrilling that the production team does not want to reveal. There were earlier rumors that The Penguin could feature a Batman cameo, or more specifically, Bruce Wayne blending in as the drifter on the streets of Gotham, so other big characters would not be outside the realm of possibility.
As for who Strong could play if not Carmine, there is a strong resemblance to Victor Freeze, not to mention that Matt Reeves has previously teased the idea of Mr. Freeze. Strong certainly has the range to pull off a role of that magnitude in Matt Reeves' Bat-verse. Hopefully, with Hollywood studios coming to their senses regarding the fair pay of their writers, audiences will not have long to find out.
The Penguin will be released on MAX.
Source: IMDB