HBO’s The Penguin focuses on Colin Farrell’s character, Oswald “Oz” Cobblepot. Oz rises to power in the Gotham City underworld.
The series will showcase his journey and struggles as he seeks to establish himself as a significant player. However, he faces strong competition from the Falcone crime family. This family is deeply rooted in Gotham’s criminal activities and has a long, complicated history.
Currently, Oz works for the Falcone family, as shown in the 2022 film The Batman. Despite his position, he does not receive much respect from the higher-ups in the organization. He is not considered a true member of the Falcone family.
He lacks any biological or marital connection to the main branch of the Falcone lineage. This status leaves him vulnerable to the ambitions of other family members who want to take control.
The Falcones play significant roles in many famous comics, including Batman: The Long Halloween. They often resemble the Corleone family from The Godfather, exhibiting complex relationships and histories.
The series shows how these family dynamics affect Gotham’s crime scene. Here are some key family members who will appear in the upcoming miniseries.
Carmine Falcone Played by John Turturro and Mark Strong
Carmine is the head of the Falcone family and a major figure in Gotham’s crime scene. He often resembles Marlon Brando’s portrayal of Vito Corleone in The Godfather. John Turturro portrayed Carmine in The Batman, where he was depicted as the leader of Gotham’s criminal community.
Carmine’s influence over the city stems from his extensive drug-running operations. He took control of these operations from Salvatore Maroni, who will be played by Clancy Brown in The Penguin. Carmine’s success relied on the support of corrupt city officials and police officers.
Throughout The Batman, Carmine appears as an undisputed leader. However, he faces arrest at the hands of Bruce Wayne/Batman, played by Robert Pattinson, and Jim Gordon, portrayed by Jeffrey Wright. Shortly after his arrest, the Riddler, played by Paul Dano, assassinates him.
Despite his demise, the character remains significant to the story. Given the Falcones’ pivotal role in The Penguin, there is a decent chance Carmine could reappear in the series.
This might occur through flashbacks, dream sequences, or other narrative techniques. Additionally, Mark Strong plays a younger version of the character on the small screen, adding depth to Carmine’s backstory.
Sofia Falcone Played by Cristin Milioti
Cristin Milioti portrays Sofia Falcone, Carmine’s daughter. Sofia is a fierce competitor who aims to take over her father’s empire. She will serve as Oz’s primary antagonist throughout the series. Her character appears in both The Long Halloween and its sequel, Batman: Dark Victory. These comics seem particularly influential on the storyline of The Penguin.
In Dark Victory, Sofia takes on the role of the main antagonist. She is revealed to be the Hangman, a serial killer who targets members of the Gotham City Police Department. A recent trailer for The Penguin suggests that her identity as the Hangman becomes known early in the series.
This revelation adds an intriguing layer to her character. The trailer also indicates that Sofia has spent time in Arkham Asylum, likely due to her crimes as the Hangman.
Sofia’s complex relationship with her father adds depth to her character. She aims to prove herself in a male-dominated environment.
Her desire to take over the family business brings tension to the narrative, especially as Oz seeks to establish himself as a powerful figure in Gotham’s underworld. Milioti’s performance promises to capture Sofia’s fierce ambition and determination.
Selina Kyle/Catwoman Played by Zoë Kravitz
Another character of great significance is Selina Kyle, also known as Catwoman. Zoë Kravitz reprises her role as this iconic anti-heroine.
Selina is well-known as Bruce Wayne’s love interest, adding a romantic tension to the narrative. The film reveals that Carmine is Selina’s biological father, a connection that appears in various comic adaptations, including The Long Halloween and Dark Victory.
Throughout her life, Selina experiences a complicated relationship with Carmine. Although he pretends to be ignorant of their connection, he tries to maintain a friendly relationship with her. Selina works at Oz’s nightclub, a popular spot for members of Carmine’s organization. This setting creates an interesting dynamic between the characters.
As the story unfolds, Selina learns that Carmine murdered her girlfriend, who had discovered crucial information about his grip on Gotham. This revelation leads Selina to seek revenge.
During a confrontation, Carmine admits to killing Selina’s mother, deepening her anger and desire for retribution. Bruce, in his Batman persona, intervenes, stopping Selina from killing Carmine. He then apprehends Carmine himself, highlighting the conflict between family loyalty and justice.
At the film’s conclusion, Selina decides to leave Gotham. There has been no official confirmation regarding Kravitz’s return in The Penguin. However, given how integral the Falcone family is to the series, it would make sense for Selina to appear, whether in a cameo or a larger role. Her relationship with both Oz and Carmine would add complexity to the plot, and fans eagerly await any news about her involvement.
Alberto Falcone Played by Michael Zegen
Alberto Falcone, played by Michael Zegen, is Carmine’s son and Sofia’s brother. He plays a significant role in both The Long Halloween and Dark Victory. Although he receives an education at Oxford University, Alberto is eager to work within the family’s criminal empire. However, Carmine forbids him from doing so, hoping that Alberto can lead a more peaceful life away from crime.
Carmine’s decision echoes a similar situation faced by Vito Corleone in The Godfather, where he wished for his youngest son, Michael, to avoid the family business. Despite Carmine’s good intentions, Alberto perceives this exclusion as a slight. This tension sets the stage for Alberto’s transformation into a notorious figure within Gotham.
Alberto becomes one of two serial killers dubbed “Holiday” due to the timing of his murders. His victims include members of both the Falcone and Maroni crime families.
After Batman and Gordon arrest him, Alberto confesses to all the Holiday murders. When Carmine offers to use his influence to secure Alberto’s release, Alberto rebuffs him. He takes pride in his notoriety, feeling that he has achieved a level of fame that surpasses even his father’s.
Initially sentenced to death, Alberto later finds himself released into the custody of his brother Mario at the beginning of Dark Victory.
With Carmine dead and Sofia potentially known as the Hangman in The Penguin, Zegen’s version of Alberto will likely follow a different path. His character’s evolution offers a compelling story arc that shows themes of ambition, family loyalty, and revenge.
Johnny Viti Played by Michael Kelly
Johnny Viti, played by Michael Kelly, is Carmine’s nephew. The character was created by Frank Miller and David Mazzuchelli, first appearing in Batman: Year One.
Johnny comes to Gotham at the request of his mother, Carla Viti, who heads the largest crime family in Chicago. She sends Johnny to assist Carmine as Batman and Gordon begin their crime-fighting efforts, which threaten the Falcone organization.
Johnny leads a group of criminals who kidnap Gordon’s infant son in a bid to blackmail him. Their plan aims to prevent Gordon from testifying against corrupt Police Commissioner Gillian Loeb. However, Batman and Gordon thwart the plot. After Johnny is captured, Carmine tries unsuccessfully to have him killed. He hopes to keep Johnny from revealing information about the Falcone organization to the authorities.
This failed assassination leads to a brief gang war between Carmine’s faction and Carla’s family. Despite their conflicts, the two branches eventually reach an uneasy peace. Johnny’s story takes a dark turn during The Long Halloween, which begins on the night of his wedding. During this event, he becomes the first victim of the Holiday killers.
Michael Kelly’s portrayal of Johnny in The Penguin promises to bring a fresh perspective to the character. Typically depicted as a thuggish brute in the comics, the television adaptation is likely to showcase a more nuanced and complex version of Johnny.
Kelly has a strong acting background, having received praise for his roles in House of Cards and other notable productions. His performance could provide depth to Johnny’s character, showing his motivations and struggles within the criminal world.
Luca Falcone Played by Scott Cohen
Luca Falcone is the last confirmed member of the family to appear in The Penguin. He is a cousin of Carmine, played by Scott Cohen.
The television version may combine aspects of Luca and Lucia Viti, a niece of Carmine from the comics. Both characters are relatively obscure, with limited appearances in the source material. This obscurity opens the door for creative storytelling and character development.
Luca could potentially serve as a wildcard in the series, bringing unpredictability to the narrative. Given his lack of established storylines, the writers have the freedom to shape his character in new and exciting ways. However, it is also possible that Luca will play a minor role in the ful plot. Fans are eager to see how this character fits into the larger story of The Penguin.
The involvement of these family members in The Penguin sets the stage for a rich and intricate narrative. Each character brings unique motivations and backgrounds that contribute to the unfolding drama. The power struggles within the Falcone family add layers of complexity, especially as Oz seeks to assert himself in this dangerous world.
The Penguin premieres on HBO and Max on September 19. Viewers can anticipate a thrilling view of Gotham’s criminal underbelly, filled with tension, ambition, and the dark consequences of family loyalty.
The show promises to deliver an attractive narrative that examines the intricate dynamics of the Falcone family and their influence on Oz’s journey to power.
