Who is Rex Calabrese in The Penguin? Character role explored

The Penguin episode 7 introduced a brand new character to Matt Reeves' Batverse. The crime lord known as Rex Calabrese, who had only been mentioned so far in the Colin Farrell-starrer, made his debut in the show. Played by actor Louis Cancelmi, he appeared in the flashback sequence of the episode and had one interaction with a younger Oswald Cobb and his brothers.

Rex Calabrese's role in The Penguin episode 7 is very brief. However, while the teaser for episode 8 indicates that there is more of him to come, the mobster still has a huge connection to Oswald. In the comic books, Calabrese is also known to be a well-known gangster who had an iron grip over Gotham before Carmine Falcone.

Given that The Penguin's version of Rex Calabrese is a bit different from his comic book counterpart, the character still has major implications on the show.

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Rex Calabrese's role in The Penguin explored

Rex Calabrese finally made his debut in The Penguin episode 7. In the opening of the episode, viewers get to see a flashback that explores the life of a young Oswald and his relationship with his mother Francis Cobb. The episode also explores Oswald's jealousy of his brothers and how he wants his mother to give him her full attention instead.

Francis then tells Oswald's elder brother Jack to take him and his younger brother out. At the same time, she also orders him to give Rex Calabrese his book. While on their way, Oswald sees Rex's car and is impressed by it. Rex is then introduced in the series by kicking a man out of a store and having his goons do a number on the person.

While Jack is initially hesitant to interact with Rex, Oswald calls him out, and Jack then ends up going and giving him his book. Rex gives Jack $50, and they leave from there. While Oswald is inspired by Rex, Jack tells him that he is a bad man and that he isn't paying their mother enough. However, the seeds are laid over here, which shows how Oswald is inspired by Rex.

In episode 1 of The Penguin, Oswald can be seen telling Alberto Falcone about who Rex Calabrese is and how he wants to become like him. According to Oswald, Rex was looked up to by the people in his area, and he always provided for them. However, he died of a heart attack later on.

The preview for episode 8 teases that Rex Calabrese will be appearing in the episode. Fans can expect to see how he further inspired Oswald to become a gangster and how his ideals were shaped as well.

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Who is Rex Calabrese in the comics?

In the comics, Rex Calabrese is quite different than his live-action counterpart. Introduced in the New 52 Batman run, he was created by James Tynion IV, Scott Snyder, Jason Fabok, Ray Fawkes, John Layman, and Tim Seeley. He first debuted in Batman Eternal #14 in September 2014. He was also retconned into being Selina Kyle's father, a title that was held by Carmine Falcone before.

However, he eventually abandoned her. He did rule Gotham City as well before he was pushed out by Carmine Falcone. Going into hiding, he then adopted the name Leo Leone after being sent to Blackgate Penitentiary, where no one knew his real identity. One of his signature looks in the comics is also to have lion dentures, which earned him the nickname The Lion.

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