John Turturro or Mark Strong: Who Played the Best Carmine Falcone?

[@DutchPlanDerLindeFromTahiti]

This was a perfect recast for a younger version and it makes sense

[@Icedsobaka]

True, I didn't even stop to think about that I was upset over the recast but it works if you just think it's supposed to be a younger version of him

[@Nevad25]

It doesn't make sense though. You have a picture of Carmine Falcone (Played by Turturro) with Thomas Wayne in The Batman movie. That would be before the flashback scene in The Penguin.

[@DutchPlanDerLindeFromTahiti]

@@Nevad25 There's nothing they can do about that, the actor didn't want to come back

[@TheDarkGBJ]

@@DutchPlanDerLindeFromTahiti yea but it's just you guys trying to rationalize something that only happened because of scheduling is funny

[@thomaskilroy4573]

@@TheDarkGBJDifferent Angles and terrible lighting. Simple. Ain’t as if that photograph isn’t blurry and unclear anyway.

[@GD-COMICS]

First was better but this is honestly the best recast known

[@marthflores3515]

Otr tuff job to replace the og

[@jingleballs9935]

True

[@jaylenjayden9305]

Agreed

[@robertgomez6911]

It is,because barely can tell the difference honestly

[@reddays8448]

@@robertgomez6911yeah barely pretty much

[@WBSlashH]

I think they both killed the type of carmine their time periods required. Mark strong was more intimidating as a younger-ish carmine before he was more reclusive. John played a great older carmine

[@GhostInTheMachine165]

I agree but the inconsistency with the character kind of ruins Strong's portrayal a bit. I understand why Strong portrayed him as intimidating as he did and his role in Sofia's story, but I would've assumed he would have become the laid back careless untouchable mafia boss after Maroni's arrest since he practically became untouchable as shown in The Batman.

[@WBSlashH]

@ we only ever see him interact with Sofia, and he’s mask off just being a ruthless evil self. I think we get the untouchable power Mob boss since he had her arrested and controlled the doctors at Arkham

[@mr.bomzalo9563]

I don't know why but John seems so much powerful and evil. Probably because his so damn casual about everything but then would definitely skin you alive while Strongs falcone would directly confront you and be imposing. Johns falcone makes him so casual and powerful. Easier for his manipulation too, that soft voice of his. Not only that, but he..gives off far more serial killer vibes than strong. More maniacal and evil when he goes ham.

[@Anothergoogleaccount1]

You hit the fuckin nail on the head he seems more evil because “hes so casual about everything”

[@DamXOien3902]

Mark Strong is more intimidating I feel but i still prefer John

[@trabadoireacht6545]

As some other people have said it fits though. A younger, fitter more physically imposing yet less experienced and refined carmine would be more confrontational and domineering. Whereas an older more experienced yet obviously less physically capable Carmine would rely far more on his ability to manipulate and socially engineer situations to his benefit knowing how to do so from aforementioned experience in his dealings.

[@jingleballs9935]

@@DamXOien3902true

[@DrDiabolical000]

​@@Anothergoogleaccount1 Idk I agree with him. His casual attitude does make me feel afraid, like something's just not right.

[@marthflores3515]

John Tutorro is a hard man to replace

[@hatsigeo1283]

Turturro does Italian mobster better....Strong is great in the gritty English gangster movies.

[@toiletsponge]

Wasn't hard for Mark Strong

[@vmusket5464]

Mark Strong is amazing but he doesn't have anything on Turturro as an actor.

[@odlfmariner470]

@@toiletsponge Turtorro was stronger.

[@michaeljohn1978]

@@hatsigeo1283Mark Strong is Italian English. His real name is Marco Salussolia

[@Cipher_556]

When Mark fixes his glasses after young Sofia pulled it, tells you so much about Falcone. One of the best recasts in recent times.

[@MisterDriskul]

You know why Carmine keeps wearing the glasses indoors and at night. According to Matt Reeves, it's a way for Don Falcone to stay hidden in public, even to his own crime family. In a city full of masks, that is his.

[@arktiix]

i thought something was interesting about that scene but what does it say?

[@Cipher_556]

@arktiix Personally, I think it tells you that he wore his glasses as some sort of a persona, a mask of you will to hide who he really is, a twisted killer. It's become a part of him to the point that you never see him not wearing it, even in his pictures he fancied wearing the glasses.

[@EdgarGibbons-yz1hf]

When someone in his family pulls back the mask, he’ll put it back on

[@al75an]

I thought they added that so his daughter can see the wounds on his hand🤔

[@skakee10]

mark was intimidating, but john was eerie

[@JSavo_]

They are totally different. JT was the old, cemented, almost king of the city. He didn’t need to shout or be physically intimidated at all. MS was still in the era of Carmine consolidating total control and ruling. He is physically bigger and has an underlying menace that you can just feel. They both played Carmine masterfully with the limited screen time that each got.

[@MisterSmith00]

John Turturro knew how to tell a story in this movie… When Carmine was talking about a scared, young Bruce Wayne watching his father operate on him when he got shot… …and when he told the story about Thomas Wayne asking him “to put the fear of God” into the journalist. He felt like an authentic part of Gotham’s history…better left forgotten; but still there.

[@venturatheace1]

Agreed. Overall John just feels more natural in the role

[@MattGarcyaDC]

john honestly. but mark does a good carmine or the younger version

[@Ironcorgi2]

John turturro cause he’s done so much comedic stuff it’s mentally disarming when he does truly heinous stuff

[@josephshields2959]

real, I mostly remember being a meme level agent in Transformers and a few other things

[@la8076]

I didnt even realize that it was him in that apple tv show where he played a goofy gay dude lol It was only after a post on X that i found out it was the same actor!

[@darklord1510]

@@la8076put some respect on the show severance, shit was mad good 😤

[@Loggodover]

I mean mark strong has a lot of comedic roles too

[@CapitalJ2]

8 year olds, Dude.

[@vpaquino]

John Turturro and Mark Strong are phenomenal actors and have played their share of good characters in their careers. That being said I would still give it to John. Mark captured the strength and authority of Carmine as a boss. But John had the “scary/creepy” factor that showed he was the Hangman. Plus Cristin Milioti can pass for John Turturro’s daughter more IRL.

[@imAreyz]

I think they both fit perfectly for what stage of life Carmine is in. Turturro’s take displays a man who has already taken the throne and feels invincible while Strong’s shows the danger of someone fighting to keep what he has built and striving for more power. Also the make-up and costume designers did an incredible job somehow making the two actors look like almost the same person at different ages.

[@itwistedgamerxp1642]

I think that Mark Strong just looks like younger version of Carmine that we saw in the Batman, it looks great

[@HoodedSpidey]

Exactly, and as other commenters mentioned it shows the wisdom and wear of time, almost like he’s drunk on the power in his youth then bored of it in his later years.

[@RJMacReady1]

Holy shit they got MARK STRONG for this? John turturro is…eternal, but what a power move recast that is

[@domenica3639]

Sinestro, Dr. Sivanna and now Carmine. Dude's a DC villain staple.

[@Salacious-Crumb]

Turturro turned it down because he hates violence to woman ... What's he saying the rest of the cast love it ? Weak excuse ... Can only think he experienced it happening maybe to his mom like I did ... But strange excuse you're acting bro

[@NaijaCINE]

@@Salacious-Crumbhe didn’t hate violence to women in The Batman?

[@Salacious-Crumb]

@@NaijaCINE but that was his excuse for not doing the penguin series ... Don't take my word for it look it up bro

[@taigaseji]

@@Salacious-Crumbyeah just some excuse oh well I hope it was worth it

[@muhammadfaisal5Y5]

I like that both of them do not show much emotion. The sun glasses, the mustache and the coolness they bring to every conversation, completely masks their faces.

[@JAYSUICIDEDOORS]

I liked Mark Strong better because he is instantly intimidating and has the aura of someone you don’t even wanna try, but what’s scary about John’s Falcone is that he’s someone you could easily end up in a light hearted conversation with at the gym or supermarket and have no idea how evil he is.

[@Mochaphilatte]

Glasses and mustache disguise really works. I didn’t even notice it was a different actor

[@abood56ama20]

You and the people who liked your comment need to get checked, how didn’t ya’ll notice it’s obvious

[@Mochaphilatte]

@ because he’s in the show for 60 seconds and wearing glasses and a mustache. My fault casting did their job well, my fault I was immersed in the world, and my fault I don’t remember all the features of a man in a classic disguise 😔. Blame Sophia

[@abood56ama20]

@@Mochaphilatte well they are two different actors and their portrayal of the character is a little different, if glasses and a mustache made it unnoticeable then you’ll fit perfectly in metropolis lol, I will blame Oz

[@Mysteryz-li2pw]

⁠​⁠@@abood56ama20I think you’re the one who needs to get checked lol. It’s actually a very common thing to not notice. You ever question how Superman putting on some glasses disguises him? It’s cause that’s an actual thing that works in the real world. Both actors look quite similar, obviously they have the same exact look.

[@abood56ama20]

@@Mysteryz-li2pw nah ya’ll got brain damage, Superman’s disguise works because it’s fictional it will never work in real life, except maybe on you folks who can’t recognize two different dudes if anyone of ya’ll gets called to point at suspect in a line up just admit that you got brain damage and can’t recognize shit lmao

[@TheKingoftheAesir]

Mark Strong feels like a cruel leader willing to do whatever to stay in control of his empire while John feels like the epiphany of that control a decade later just incredibly casual about his cruelty because he's at such a high point in his control of gotham that things like talking to a reporter would mean nothing to him.

[@alfredhauchfox2073]

John Turturro, just absolute class

[@iforgotthenamemate]

both did great job. Mark's Carmine is at it's peak, while John's ten years later is less intimidating, more like a creep recluse coming out from a closet from time to time. like them both.

[@axx012]

Johns is more intimidating in a different sense. In other words, his not raising his voice or showing signs of anger in the film can be much scarier than someone who does. He is like the man who would smile calmly and that would give the "your f**ked" implication to whoever he smiling at.

[@impshade3208]

After watching The Penguin, I can’t see Oz as the same push over we saw in the first movie

[@nikan_arami]

Same. He's the devil lol

[@Spades20XX]

I think that’s the point. He always presented as a pushover or submissive to his betters, but he was ALWAYS plotting on getting ahead. The closer he got to his throne, the cockier and callous he got. Like, look at how he acts when Carmine is introducing Bruce versus how he behaves with Carmine being arrested. Absolute coin flip behavior

[@bigheadrhino]

Penguin’s super power is Machiavelianism. He’s a master of the power game, which includes knowing how to appear less powerful than he is.

[@theportugueselegend]

The fact that John Turturro portrayed Carmine not as a evil villain, but as a cunning, calm, powerful, old mobster is a lot more interesting. Strong had a lot less minutes to impress

[@apostolis209]

They managed to combine two different actors into one character’s life evolution with perfect consistency, yet the internet simply HAD to make it about who’s best. 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@AlCafacci]

As villain, I'll put all my money on Mark Strong. The guy has an aura about him as a villain that no other actor has!

[@sterlingarcher2366]

Sorter

[@ComedyBros5]

While it’s very surprising it’s hard to see a difference in the two actors physical appearance (make up artists did fantastic on Strong, is what that means), Turturro was more of the weasel sleezeball who you can’t trust. He came off to me more like a henchman who’s trying to be a made man. While Strong was the more brooding, intimidating presence you’d envision as more of a kingpin! I prefer Strong over Turturro!

[@davidcase8635]

Mark Strong also played as the New York City mob boss Frank D'Amico in the 2010 superhero movie Kick-Ass.

[@jwreckxiv]

Mark was very assertive and felt like a leader of a crime mob. Also, had a strong threatening voice. John was a little sarcastic and a little too smiley for my liking.

[@Tre.Anthony2025-g4z]

I get that but the problem with that sentiment is that John wasn’t playing intimidating, he just is. It’s his reputation that makes him what he is, and with him being 10 years older he probably changed a bit in personality. I can see John playing assertive and threatening like Mark strong but slowly easy up a bit later which allowed the Riddler to break through the cracks of his operation.

[@derekpayneszubliminals7723]

I mean Mark Strong has played a crime mob before in Kick-Ass as Frank D'Amico.

[@Omega31716]

John is a Falcone that’s won and has conquered anyone in his path. Mark is Falcone in his A game.

[@AY-qy4jn]

Mark was weird. John was a true sociopath

[@bryanaragon6679]

I definetly missed John Turturro as Carmine back again on the Penguin series, although I couldn't complain with Mark Strong taking on the role, because Turturro was a much older version of Carmine who was already the King of the City and had control over everything including part of Gotham's police and political sphere. Meanwhile Mark was a much younger version of him, who was seeking to gain control and stability over the city. Either way both actors worked and fulfilled for the role and performance.

[@Nofrnzclub]

This Carmine Falcone is a perfect representation of the old archetypal fairy tale character 'The Crooked Man'

[@Isaacfromhitindiegametboi]

I watched the batman and the penguin back to back when it fully released and I couldn't even tell

[@phenomenonnarutokun]

THAT WAS MARK STRONG?!

[@Therealstoob]

Ikr?!? He looks so different with a head full of hair

[@Ianamg]

wow actually i didn’t even realize it was a different actor, thought they just de-aged him with makeup or cgi, honestly amazing casting

[@Anothergoogleaccount1]

The first one was great the cold bloodedness and stoicism came off more naturally

[@georgecastanza6712]

High key

[@AvPal_Arts]

The way John delivered that line, “I handled it” was so perfect! Shows that glimpse of villainy right there!!!

[@user-zl2ec]

Idk man, everytime I see John Turturro I think of Transformers or You Don't Mess with the Zohan. I couldn't find him menacing with his voice and stature in the Batman. I prefer the recast with Mark Strong

[@athanos-_-8850]

Lmao this might the most relatable, but it shows the dude has range. He can be pretty forgettable in a role. There’s lots of actors I can’t unsee though

[@ComedyBros5]

I absolutely agree. It wasn't that Turturro did bad as Carmine, but I've only really known him for very goofy roles (one of my favorite films of all time is O Brother Where Art Thou, and his character in that is hilarious). I would've had a much easier time getting sold on Carmine being a big bad if it was Strong playing him from the get-go.

[@georgecastanza6712]

His acting instrument has actual range

[@Hylian_Glitchmobber]

I guess I'm one of the only people who prefers Mark Strongs version. Both are great & super similar, but there's just something about Strongs performance that I like

[@michaellucejr.6374]

Both of these actors brought something unique to the part.

[@Aye.Marco99]

The writers did an amazing job Utilizing the recasting with flashback scenes to establish more depth in the character. Which was kinda genius cuz then they could show a younger Carmine and everything leading up to the Batman movie. Great writing 👏👏

[@TheTrailersBr]

For me John is better.

[@KingSlayer_.]

Considering I did even realize they were being played by different actors, I'd say they both gave an equally great performance.

[@asdasasdas3476]

Instances like this is why I always prefer recasting rather than just using cgi to bring back a character

[@Thunderduck1]

Mark Strong by far

[@ComedyBros5]

That's what I say, and it's no competition. Nothing against Turturro, but Strong just fits the intimidating/kingpin character better.

[@thaistomp]

@@ComedyBros5 fax

[@devoncox1808]

I wish John Tutorro return as Carmine Falcone. But I will say that he did a really great job and Mark Strong was a perfect replacement.

[@BlackEagle352]

He gave a lousy excuse but a respectable one

[@eikrzatarra7867]

Mark Strong was waay more intimidating

[@axx012]

People like to say, and I agree the actors acting fits the time period of the character. Mark Strong the younger, mob boss that still needed to show force when needed vs Johns version who has already made his mark and is relaxed and can just make moves with a facial gesture or wave of his hand to get things going in his favor.

[@AY-qy4jn]

Nah

[@alisonsavill8191]

Mark strongs the best

[@abood56ama20]

1:36 iconic lmao

[@mr.moviemafia]

The Penguin made Falcone’s part in The Batman storyline WAY more interesting to me

[@JoeyXSmith]

I didn't even realise they changed the actor.

[@RIPFemaleDoggy]

Both were top tier casting

[@basilkarlo1557]

I thought they recasted him good but yeah John Turturro is the best I like him a lot as an actor I really like him as Adrian Monk's older brother Ambrose

[@ComedyBros5]

Always thought they could be real-life brothers.

[@inthedeadhours]

If Mark Strong was in The Batman, he wouldve killed it.

[@kmmahmud7177]

I was thinking the same thing.

[@j.zuberi]

Man both did amazing! Johns portrayal was this eerie charming vibe that if you seen him randomly on the side of the road youd let your guard down a bet bc hes charismatic, not realizing who you just let your guard down to...thats its OWN level of scary. Then theres Marks portrayal which is simply straight out the gate intimidating...what you see...is what you get. His voice, how he stands, looks. They both fit the world of Matts Gotham perfectly, i personally prefer Mark due to the fact i had to double check if it was John who was in the show then realized it was a recast to Mark Strong when i had the voice was much deeper and iconic.

[@Itztomfoolery]

John's: He'll have someone wack you Mark's: He himself will wack you

[@xCaesh]

coming back to this, it is exactly how alberto falcone was killed. They both exerted their authority and what their true feelings were about oz.

[@dipjyotiroy8074]

How dumb I'm to not even recognize they were different actors! Or they nailed the role so good I didnt even notice

[@Amazingspiderman-t3q]

Until now I didn't even know that both were played by different actors , it truly is a perfect recast of Carmine in Penguin

[@StutopianStudios]

I didnt even notice they were different actors 💀

[@abood56ama20]

You and everyone who liked your comment got brain injury or something? It’s obvious

[@sullivandmitry1416]

John played the character more interestingly because he’s not tall or built or really intimidating naturally but he manages to scare you based on his reputation. Mark is the better “comic accurate” casting but John makes him his own interesting character in this different elseworlds type Batman story.

[@wolfofumbra8332]

Bro mark is scary. Ill tell you what, whenever i saw a picture of him or see him entering a room, I get a chill. Both castings were 10/10

[@CasvanDoornik]

Carmine in The Penguin looks kinda like Tony Starks dad😂

[@georgecastanza6712]

Lmfao it’s that fake ass hair

[@yourbrain5685]

It's hard to compare the two given the vast difference in screen time. However, I think both did excellent jobs on portraying different version of the same character. Turturro had a more relaxed friendly vibe that made his instant flips to pure psycho much more terrifying. While Strong's version was more stoic with a more "get down to business" vibe, again hard to tell since he was basically in one scene.

[@oKApplejack]

I think we can all agree, if you’re gonna recast, study this 😂

[@darknexus6720]

I'm gonna go with John since this is a take on the character that's more laid back and relaxed in how he handles business. Mark's take on the character is more aligned with what has been done before as someone who is more aggressive and bolder in tone. However, I think a mix of the two is the best option for Carmine, which creates a bigger contrast between him and Salvatore who appears to usually be an impulsive hot head.

[@ProtectorOfPie]

Both brought what they needed to; to the character. I’m not mad at either performance

[@theweeklydaily2024]

honestly they were both great. I didnt even mind the recast. I wouldve been fine with either of them being Falcone in the Batman. different styles but both worked perfectly.

[@kylemeh]

Guys, can we just talk about how they got MARK STRONG to be a recast for JOBN TUTORO. Like… wow. To recast and cast at the same caliber is phenomenal.

[@stevynpritchett7746]

Why has one got to be better? I thought they both did an excellent job. Great bit of re casting and both put in fantastic performances!

[@joaquinbarreto9398]

I love both actors but John Torturro was absolute fire playing this role. What defines him is mystery and intrigue Mark Strong can’t pull that off.

[@jasfx7241]

Wait it wasn’t the same person playing it??

[@manikenpachi2760]

I think both of them did a fabulous job

[@jarrodedson5441]

I prefer Mark Strong over John Turturro

[@kmmahmud7177]

same.

[@jarrodedson5441]

​@kmmahmud7177 Mark Strong actually is half Italian so it works perfectly for the rule of Carmine Falcone when he's based off Italian mobsters

[@jarrodedson5441]

​@@kmmahmud7177 also Mark Strong knows how to play intimidating villians

[@Francooney]

I think strong was more intimidating but Turtorro seemed more like a mobster

[@jwaximus1113]

Guys, idk what I prefer. Both are amazing. First one is more iconic but the second one seems scarier. At the same time, they both show the character at different times being younger and older and it works perfectly

[@samridhgupta]

I didn’t notice the cast change So the cast team did really good

[@timothyflynn2738]

I don’t know about better but I saw the recasting as a perfect way to depict Falcone’s decline. He went from a relatively more hale and hearty Mark String to John Tutorro’s reclusive kingpin in less than a decade… a life of crime and treachery made him the undisputed clandestine king of Gotham but it left him warped and paranoid and the stress and joylessness diminished him.

[@ssjsyriene6350]

When I see the first one, all I can think is "Gooooooosfraba"

[@surelythiswasnotused]

Turturro was an excellent Falcone and Mark Strong did an absolutely amazing job playing Turturro playing Falcone.

[@Michael_H_Nielsen]

had no idea was replaced :)

[@captainstage2009]

Wait WHAT?!?! This wasn’t John Tuturo?!

[@patrickrichard5948]

They’re both great. I just hope we get Mark Strong as Mr. Freeze

[@MasonMorris1204]

Strong felt more like the version from the comics tbh, he felt more stoic, and more mob bossy, like hes supposed to feel. Not that the first cast was bad in anyway, but i definitely liked strong more.

[@a1bizzy.04]

I think it’s pretty even for the ages they both played

[@brandom5007]

Kind of a shame that John didn’t want to return to play Carmine. For reasons being that his character was violent towards women. Well, while I understand that statement, it doesn’t make any sense to do the film to begin with if that was or is his mindset. Should’ve either stuck with it all the way through and did the Penguin series. That being said, Mark did a great job with the amount of time he had in the series.

[@cdhans5992]

John played it sleazy while Mark was more imposing. Both do a great job and this is a case where, while I don’t think the replacement was the best continuity wise, I honestly don’t really care because Mark did so well. It is crazy to think about Robs Bruce facing Mark Strong’s Carmine though, the scene would’ve been played very differently I think. For those that are bothered by the recast (which I think are very few) the performance differences could always be chalked up to the decade difference between the two of them. Mark’s Carmine is clearly in his physical peak, he sports a set of very broad shoulders and his presence lingers. He actually reminded me a lot of Rob’s Bruce Wayne, which makes sense because both of them are pulling from Michael Corleone in Godfather Part II. John’s has a hint of that, but the physical presence is just not there. He’s a creepier, aged man who hides some strange sexual rage behind his (clearly fake) calm visage. The timeline is definitely there, and while I don’t think it’s perfect, I don’t think I’d change it either. Both actors were great picks for their respective projects.

[@mougabo]

Both great actors but I think Turturro had more to play with , I would go as far to say that he just nailed it to perfection

[@SCharlesDennicon]

Turturo plays the character like your average mob boss, Mark Strong plays the character like he's serial killer.

[@alexarocourt2356]

Both played very well.

[@matthewriley7826]

I think perception has something to do with it. We see how Batman sees Carmine: as some old gangster whom he doesn’t fear, and works to bring down. Then in Penguin we see him how Sofia views him: an intimidating killer who is in his prime.

[@princedavid88]

They were both excellent- Younger Falcone is more intimidating off the cuff, but older Falcone hides his ruthlessness a bit better... comes off more as your cool rich uncle.

[@Ryjos]

I didn’t even realize the actor changed 🤣🤣 until way after

[@savatiecojocaru3919]

I didnt even realise they are 2 different people, and thats saying someting…😅

[@PrincevincentiusEL]

For sure the show !

[@DanteRU0312]

The one who didn't say "Playing a gangster is against my morals" after receiving a paycheck.

[@Goxilla]

Mark Strong: very good John Turtorro: even better

[@Goldenarmnumber1]

Mark Strong is phenomenal. I always thought he should've beenLex Luthor in that Superman film

[@gautham231989]

Both were equally good

[@artLopez24]

Both are great…John is more creepy and eerie but mark is more strong and intimidating because of his voice

[@CudiFan224]

Both Actors did amazing, John's Falcone reminds me of Telltale Batmans Falcone and Mark Strong reminds me of Batman Begins Falcone, not to say they're copying but like more in line of those other great portrayals

[@NickDash-ht4uv]

Mark Strong is more menacing. John is okay.

[@A.H.goose1]

John isn’t okay. I’d say John is really good. Very sleazy, laid back. It’s a different take because it’s an older Carmine and I’d say he pulls it off well. Like he’s holding his cards close to his chest