‘The Dark Knight Rises’: 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Black Mask

Okay, okay, we lied: In spite of the fact that two days ago, Variety was reporting that Joseph Gordon-Levitt was set to play Alberto Falcone in The Dark Knight Rises, this may not actually be the case. Of course, all we’ve got at this juncture is that “a source close to the situation” has stated that the casting rumor is incorrect, and given that the rumor initially came from “insiders” connected to the film, it’s anyone’s guess who’s right– if, in fact, ANYONE is right. Other rumors have speculated that our pal Joe will actually be playing Black Mask. So who’s Black Mask? Allow me to enlighten you:

1) He was dropped on the head as a baby.
Born to parents both wealthy and self-absorbed, Roman Sionis’ delivering doctor dropped him mere seconds after his birth. So any “You’re so crazy, I bet you were dropped on the head as a small child” jokes? Not quite so funny, given that it actually happened.

2) He’s rabid.
Or at least he may be. He was also attacked by a rabid raccoon on the family estate. Poor kid couldn’t get a break.

3) The mask is symbolic.
Roman’s parents were friendly with the Wayne family to their faces, but vicious to them behind their backs. Young Roman hated the hypocrisy of the proverbial masks his parents wore in public, which had a deep and lasting effect on the budding criminal mastermind. When his family’s cosmetics company went bust due to an unfortunate incident involving waterproof makeup that turned out to be a disfiguring toxin, Bruce Wayne purchased the company on the condition that Roman give up all control and allow Wayne Enterprises to install its own Board of Directors. The humiliation of the event prompted Roman to enter the family mausoleum, break the ebony lid of his father’s coffin, and carve his own mask from it. Hence: Black Mask.

4) He’s a bit of a pyromaniac.
So remember that bit where his parents are dead? Roman burned down the family mansion with them in it when they refused to allow him to marry the working-class secretary he fell in love with. And the secretary? Yeah, she broke up with him.

5) He’s a cult leader.
The cult’s trademark is ritual scarring. They’ll also kill anyone who refuses to join. Now doesn’t that sound like fun?