More Batman Rumors: Depp as The Riddler, Hoffman as The Penguin

I think we're going to see a few more of these rumors over the next few months, but could you imagine if all of them are real? First it was Angelina Jolie for Catwoman and now London's Daily Telegraph says Warner Bros. is eyeing Johnny Depp for The Riddler and Philip Seymour Hoffman for The Penguin as key villains in the next Batman movie. A source tells the paper, "Producers are convinced that the role of The Riddler is perfect for Depp. Johnny's a pro. He'll be able to take direction and still make the character his own. And what better Penguin is there than Philip Seymour Hoffman?" I've got some issues with all this, even though speculation of this nature is certainly natural with a franchise with this high a profile. Since Warner Bros. is apparently painting bulls-eyes on people's back for Batman villains, if these rumors are to be believed, you have to wonder where that leaves the development of the next story for Christopher Nolan. Shouldn't the guy with the vision for the franchise be involved? Because these rumors are louder than Batman Begins and Dark Knight co-writer David Goyer has to say on the subject.   "Batman has been published for 70 years. In the first movie, we used Ra’s Al Ghul and the Scarecrow, who had not been in the movies before, and had not been in the ’60s TV show before," Goyer told Digital Spy. “There are dozens if not hundreds of other characters that fit that bill. Everyone says it’s got to be the Penguin or Catwoman [in the next film]… well I completely disagree.” Goyer makes a lot of sense, but the trouble is The Dark Knight has become so massive that Warner Bros. might be looking at loading the next film with stars and familiar villains to guarantee a better box office that can compare with the record-setting one this summer. But with Catwoman, The Riddler, and The Penguin, that movie would be incredibly busy and overpopulated by villains. Seriously, hasn't anyone seen Spider-Man 3? Too many villains = bad movie. Although I buy Hoffman for The Penguin (I also like Paul Giamatti for the role, hypothetically), Depp seems less likely in my mind. It's not that he wouldn't or couldn't do it, but if Nolan had to acquiesce and give the studio the villains it wants at any cost, he may want to go a different direction in the casting out of principle. Also, let's not forget that Nolan hasn't exactly picked actors everyone would think are "perfect" for these roles. In fact, the series is kind of marked by that characteristic. For the record, I hope none of it is true. I hope there's no Angelina, no Depp, no Catwoman, Riddler, or Joker. There are plenty of amazing dark alleys for this series to go down and I see no reason why it should revisit places it's been before.

Comments

[Henry Oak]

WB and Nolan would do themselves a favour if they make it a female villain in the third film.

The first two films treat their female charachters appallingly. Strong female villains would also give it a new direction and do something different that would not be compared to Heath Ledger.

Why not a team of female villains, Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn?

Should be a handfull for the Batman.

[k]

I agree. Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy should team up to take on the Batman. Give the movie some girl power. But it would be nice to see the Penguin in there somewhere. He's a classic. As is Catwoman, but her time is later.

[rawb182]

I Personally Agree with the writer of this article, i also hope there is no angelina (have any of you seen wanted), no riddler (the worst villian i have ever come accross), No penguin (altough he might work as an informant, he will defnitly not work as a villian running amok in nolan's gotham), no johnny depp ( come on , he might be a great actor, but you don't see him as a character, you see him as johnny depp when hes is in a film). I personally think warner should sit back, give nolan the space he needs and keep their hands away from anything batman, especially nolan batman. Goyer and the two Nolans know what they are going to do, they don't need preasure, they already do everything great. warner should rather set their eyes on actually making either a good superman movie or a good wonder woman or for that matter something that has nothing to do with the comic book arena as the field is full.

[FromMEwithlove]

I agree with the article in the sense that if the *do* make a another Batman movie I'd like to see it go in a new direction. HOWEVER, (And I stress this) I'd prefer if they (Nolan) left it and goes on to do something different. He's an excellent Director, and can do far more then just Batman movies. It's not like they'll top the Dark Knight, the hype is to much to overcome. If they did do another, when they announce it the expectations will be set too high and everything will end in disappointment. So why ruin it?

Of course they'll always make another Batman movie, there's just too much money in not too. I just keeping my fingers crossed for it not to be Nolan directing it, so it's not him who ruins it.

[Patrick]

Now the thing to remeber is just because Warner Brothers is looking at all these villians, doesn't mean that they'll all be in the next movie (Besides Nolan said he wouldn't do the Penguin in a movie because he was too unbelievable). I personally believe that Depp would be perfect for the Riddler. It's not a matter of picking someone who is unlikely, I believe that it's a matter of picking someone who would be perfect for the role. I think the next film should feature the Riddler for a mental challenge for the Batman and team him up with Bane for a physical challenge. That way it isn't just Batman catching up with the Riddler and beating him up.

[rawb182]

I think Nolan shopuld return for a third one as you might remember the end of dark knight teases it, if you don't (Spoiler Ahead) at the ends he runs away because gordon has to chase him, now Nolan already shows there that he is a man with a plan and what shows me this is he is not seeing this a prequal, sequal, end trilogy but more like it's one story split into three and why i see it like that is because the next one will be more of Bourne-type story (more of a chase) and what makes it more interresting is that chase is not coming from one side but from three the police, the citizens (He killed their white knight) and the villians (please goodness, let it not be the riddler or atleast not just him), as stated previously nolan is a great director and what makes him great is he has ideas and it is always original in some way, i think he is trhe biggest asset that warner has now and they should do everything in their power to keep him and his team on board, the third one is going to happen wether we like it or not and i think the first great third of trilogy might be upon us.

[michael szul]

The best Batman villain to chose - if we're talking about a Christopher Nolan style movie - would be Hush. He's an excellent physical and psychological challenge for Batman that integrates into Bruce Wayne's present (as Batman) and past (as a child).

Catwoman should cameo as her normal burglar self (not necessarily a villain), allowing some sexual tension between herself and Batman.

[Henry Oak]

I agree with FromMEwithlove that Nolan should move on. The Batman success is more of a curse for a clever man like Nolan. Regrettably, the paycheck will be too good to resist of course.

I don't doubt that he could make the third one different though as the first two are very dissimilar in style and content.

To me the Batman films are just a annoying interruption in the progress of what could be the most promising director today. Nolan is the perfect successor to some of the greatest British directors.

The Prestige shoved fairly well that he is somewhat off-course as it was clinical in a way that his first two films weren't.

As it stands today he could suffer from backlash from Batman fans for the rest of his career if he goes back to making films like Insomnia, which he should.