The Punisher: In the Beginning
A local Mafia family celebrates the 100th birthday of Don Massimo Cesare. Every crime family in the US sent a representative to the party to pay homage. The Punisher crashes the party and shoots the Don then slaughters everyone else.
Punisher War-Zone
Massimo Cesare is renamed Gaitano Cesare and played by John Dunn-Hill. Cesare was being prosecuted in a RICO trial. Cesare and his mob were responsible for 200 murders. The prosecutor’s star witness was Eugene Gordlock whose testimony could put Cesare behind bars. Eugene feared for his life and asked the judge to be recused from the case. Eugene was later gunned down in his own front yard by Billy “The Beaut” Russoti. After 8 weeks, the case was thrown out of court due to a mistrial. This is not the first time Cesare has escaped justice.
Cesare celebrates his victory in court and has a meeting with his unstable nephew Billy Russoti. Russoti has arranged a transaction with Cristu Bulat. Bulat needs Russoti’s customs handler Simmons to ensure that his union dock workers unload and protect his shipment when it arrives in NY. In exchange, Russoti will get 10 million for his assistance. Cesare doesn’t like the idea when he hears that shipment is a “biological package”.
Cesare fears Bulat will sell this package to a terrorist cell in Queens, NY. Russoti tries to ease his uncle’s concerns by Bulat’s guarantee that the package will be out of the city in no time at all. Cesare puts his foot down that he doesn’t want his mob involved in this transaction. Cesare goes on by insulting his nephew and drudging up the fact that he had Billy’s younger brother Jim institutionalized. Billy’s right hand man calms the situation down and Cesare leaves the room to join everyone else at the banquet table.
Cesare sits down with other members of his family and those who remain loyal to him. Punisher temporarily cuts the power to the house and executes everyone at the banquet table. Punisher decapitates Cesare. Cesare’s wife goes for his gun but the Punisher disarms her and snaps her neck.