Lauren LeFranc explained to TheWrap that the HBO limited series “was simply building on what had already been set up in The Batman.”
Lauren LeFranc, the showrunner of The Penguin, fully understands and respects John Turturro’s decision not to return as Carmine Falcone in the spinoff series due to concerns about violence.
Turturro, who played the mob boss in The Batman, told Variety that aside from scheduling conflicts, he chose not to come back because the show had “a lot of violence towards women,” which didn’t appeal to him. Mark Strong took his place in a flashback episode.
Carmine Falcone’s violent actions, especially toward women, are a big part of both The Batman and The Penguin. Turturro mentioned that the violence in the movie happens off-screen, making it even more frightening. LeFranc shared that she discussed Falcone’s violent behavior with The Batman director Matt Reeves and how the show built on what the movie had already shown.
In a flashback-filled episode, Falcone, played by Mark Strong, is shown during his daughter Sofia’s (Cristin Milioti) time in Arkham Asylum. The episode reveals that Falcone strangled his wife, Isabella, who was also Sofia’s mother.
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Later, he continued to strangle women he had relationships with at the 44 Below club, making it look like they died by hanging. He eventually framed his daughter Sofia for these murders, leading to her being sent to Arkham and earning the nickname “The Hangman.”
The Penguin airs every Sunday at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and is available to stream on Max.
Source: The Wrap