Credit: DC / Warner Bros.What could be the reason for this change?
Related: Everything We Know About DCU’s New ‘Batman’ Reboot, ‘The Brave and the Bold’
Following the Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) merger, the studio underwent significant restructuring, leading to the departure of Walter Hamada, the former head of WB’s DC film division.
James Gunn, renowned for directing the Guardians of the Galaxy series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) for The Walt Disney Company and The Suicide Squad (2021) (which is separate from the 2016 film with Jared Leto as the Joker), has succeeded Hamada in his role, alongside co-CEO Peter Safran.
In the new phase of the DC Universe (DCU), called “Chapter One – Gods and Monsters,” James Gunn and his newly formed DC Studios are set to overhaul the previous DC Extended Universe (DCEU) to start afresh.
The key focus is the upcoming film, SUPERMAN (formerly Superman: Legacy), featuring David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, replacing Henry Cavill. This film, inspired by the DC Comics series of the same name, is designed to reboot the continuity established by Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel and Justice League, often referred to as the “Snyderverse.”
Related: DCU’s New Batman: Star Teases Taking Iconic Role
The former iteration of the DC Film Universe, known as the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), prominently featured Zack Snyder’s Justice League. This version introduced audiences to Henry Cavill as Superman/Clark Kent, Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman/Diana Prince, Ezra Miller as The Flash/Barry Allen, Jason Momoa as Aquaman/Arthur Curry, and Ray Fisher as Cyborg/Victor Stone.
The Batman Star Has Suddenly Been Recast
The Batman (2022), directed by Matt Reeves and starring Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne/Batman, offers a darker, noir-inspired take on the iconic superhero. Set in his early crime-fighting years, the film follows Batman as he investigates a series of murders by the Riddler (Paul Dano), exploring themes of corruption and vengeance. The cast also includes Zoë Kravitz as Catwoman, Colin Farrell as The Penguin, and Jeffrey Wright as James Gordon.
Among that cast of DC characters is Carmine Falcone, portrayed by John Turturro, is a powerful and corrupt crime lord who exerts significant influence over Gotham City. As a major figure in the city’s criminal underworld, Falcone is intricately linked to the corruption that Batman seeks to expose.
His role is central to the film’s plot, as his connections and actions are pivotal to the Riddler’s scheme and the broader corruption Batman uncovers.
Now, it seems like the role of Carmine Falcone has been recast (John Turturro). Mark Strong will portray what looks like a younger version of Falcone in The Penguin.
Fans began noticing this recast as u/JokerAsylum123 did, posting the proof of it on social media like Reddit:
Mark Strong is a recast Carmine Falcone in The Penguin.
Mark Strong is a recast Carmine Falcone in The Penguin.
byu/JokerAsylum123 inDCULeaks
The Penguin is an upcoming TV series from DC Comics, focusing on the iconic Batman villain, the Penguin. Developed by Lauren Schmidt Hissrich and Matt Reeves, the show is set in the same universe as Reeves’ The Batman film and stars Colin Farrell reprising his role as Oswald Cobblepot, also known as the Penguin.
The series explores the character’s rise to power within Gotham’s criminal underworld following the events of The Batman, delving into his ambitions, alliances, and struggles as he seeks to consolidate his control over the city’s criminal empire.
British actor Mark Strong is best known for Prince Septimus in Stardust (2007), Lord Henry Blackwood in Sherlock Holmes (2009), , Merlin in Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014) and Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017), Dr. Thaddeus Sivana in Shazam! (2019) and Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023).
Why do you think this character was recast? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!