It’s been a whole year since then Matt Reeves’ Batman hit the big screen, and a confirmed sequel is already slated for release in 2025. But before that, fans will once again visit another prominent character in the film - Batman. Background: Penguin. As a link to Batman, Penguin picks up where the movie left off and follows Colin FarrellOswald Cobblebot trying to fill the power vacuum left in the void by Carmine Falcone (John Turturro) murder.
Filming began in New York in early March, and several photos from the set have surfaced showing Pharrell wearing Penguin’s full prosthetic again, as well as our first unofficial look at Christine Milioti like Sophia Falcone, daughter of the late crime lord. However, the biggest piece of news we have received is about Penguin since the shooting started Clancy Brown was chosen to play the role of the main boss of the Gotham mafia, Salvatore Maroni.
While the name doesn’t hold the same credibility as Batman’s other villains or even Falcone, confirmation that Maroni will appear in Penguin is of great importance for the series and the future of Reeves as a whole. Before we dive into how Maroni’s presence will change Oz, Batman, and all of Gotham, let’s take a look at Salvatore Maroni’s history.
Who is Salvatore Maroni and what role does he play in Batman?
One of Gotham’s most ruthless gangsters, Salvatore “The Boss” Maroni is the head of a crime family operating against Carmine Falcone’s own criminal empire. He has appeared in various Batman media over the years and serves as a thorn in Batman’s side or a reluctant source of information if Batman presses him.
Although he was never seen in batman, Maroni is a key figure who is mentioned throughout the film. We learn that he was related to Bruce (Robert Pattison) parents and tried to get elected mayor Thomas Wayne (Luke Roberts) in his pocket, digging up dirt on his wife Marta (Stella Stoker), and her past stay at Arkham Asylum due to mental illness. It was a shocking revelation and one of the most memorable scenes in the film, one that sends Bruce further down the path of Maroni’s past. As further evidence of the rivalry between the two crime bosses, Thomas goes to Falcone to force him to silence a reporter recruited by Maroni. Falcone goes too far and kills the reporter. This was allegedly the catalyst for the Waynes’ death, as Maroni, fearful of Thomas Falcone’s loyalty, killed the Waynes to prevent him from rising to power.
Maroni’s (presumed) hit at the Waynes is for nothing, as Falcone ends up on top anyway. The drug crisis engulfing Gotham during the events Batman focuses on a product known as Drops. And Maroni turns out to be the biggest Drop dealer in Gotham, making life easier for Mayor Don Mitchell Jr.Rupert Penry-Jones) organize a special operation and arrest Maroni. However, as we later learn, most GCPD and government officials such as District Attorney Gil Colson (Peter Sarsgaard) and Mayor Mitchell are corrupt and colluded with Falcone to orchestrate the operation. Once Maroni fell, Falcone stepped in and took full control of Operation Drops and the rest of Gotham, including Renewal. Despite all the steps he took to prevent his downfall, Falcone outmaneuvered Maroni, which explains his absence from the film, as we can assume he’s serving time in Blackgate Prison.
What would Salvatore Maroni’s storyline in Penguin look like?
So if Maroni is in jail, how will that affect the future? Batman? Well, prison is usually very temporary for Gotham’s villains, and chances are high that Maroni will be able to pull some strings to get out now that Falcone can’t stop him. In the comics, Maroni is also best known as the man who splashed acid on Harvey Dent’s face, turning him into the conniving and divided gangster Two-Face.
We haven’t seen or heard a mention of Harvey Dent in the world. Batman however, before becoming Two-Face, he was a good friend of Bruce Wayne and a respected District Attorney for Gotham. If the title of District Attorney is familiar to you at all, it’s because we met with Gotham’s District Attorney, Gil Coulson, in Batmanbut he notably died after being blown up by the Riddler (Paul Dano). That means there’s a vacancy for a new DA and a chance to introduce Harvey Dent as a potential storyline. Batman continuation or Penguin.
Of course, coincidences happen. But with the DA seat open, coupled with Brown’s casting for the role of Salvatore Maroni, it seems like the perfect storm to start concocting Two-Face’s origins. Penguin it is, of course, its own Oz-themed series, but also using the show to create small events for future releases Batman will only create excitement for the whole story.
Penguin it’s not expected to release until 2024, but it needs all the time to perfect its story and characters. Now that Oz has emerged from Falcone’s shadow, he is in the best position to take over Gotham. Gaining power is one thing, but maintaining it comes with a number of challenges. Rumors spread quickly and Sofia Falcone is of course unhappy with Oz’s comments made by Falcone at the time of his arrest. Meanwhile, Maroni is out there somewhere, and if he’s not a threat now, then he will be. You don’t waste Clancy Brown’s talent just to make him sit in a jail cell. Chaos is coming, and the Penguin has a lot to prepare for.
Read everything we here at Collider know about HBO Max. Penguinincluding the cast, crew, and plot details.
Source: Collider
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