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HBO’s The Penguin has many connections to Matt Reeves’ The Batman, but one connection stands out. In The Batman, John Turturro portrayed crime boss Carmine Falcone, a character who also appears in flashbacks in The Penguin, played by Mark Strong. Showrunner Lauren LeFranc originally cited “scheduling conflicts” as the reason Turturro did not reprise his role, but Turturro has since revealed another reason that LeFranc respects but may not fully agree with.

In an interview with Variety, Turturro explained that his decision not to return to the role was not solely due to scheduling. He stated, “I did what I wanted with the role… In the show, there was a lot of violence towards women, and that’s not my thing.”

LeFranc responded to Turturro’s comments in an interview with The Wrap, acknowledging that she previously believed it was only a scheduling issue but still respecting Turturro’s decision. She said, “I completely respect an actor who doesn’t want to take on a role for whatever their personal reasons… I think Mark Strong did a really fantastic job. He made the character his own and also really honored what John Turturro did.”

The Penguin delves deeper into the violent side of Carmine Falcone, revealing his dark past of killing his wife and framing his daughter for multiple murders. However, despite the intense themes, the show does not explicitly show violence towards women involving Falcone. In contrast, The Batman depicts Turturro’s version of Falcone attempting to harm Selina Kyle on screen. LeFranc acknowledged this difference, stating, “Carmine in the movie killed Selina Kyle’s mother and then does try to actively kill Selina, and also kills Annika—Selina’s friend.” She emphasized that Carmine is portrayed as a violent character with a streak against women.

The Penguin is known for its gritty and violent content, including scenes of violence towards both men and women. While Turturro’s concerns are valid, the show’s intense themes are consistent with its dark narrative. It remains to be seen how the story will unfold in future episodes. Whether Carmine Falcone is portrayed as more violent in The Penguin than in The Batman is open to interpretation.

Watch both The Penguin and The Batman on Max to compare for yourself.

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