Don’t Believe The Johnny Depp As The Riddler Rumors
Posted by John Campeaon 31. 07. 2008in News Chat
It’s totally natural that The Dark Knights remains a hot topic of conversation given the movie is so good and is dominating the box office like no other movie in years (hey Tapley, looks like I lost our bet). But it also means some of us get WAAYYYY ahead of ourselves and start jumping on any little rumor about the next movie (even though they don’t even know who is going to write the next one, let alone know which characters will be in it yet).
There has been a wild rumor burning around the internet the last 24 hours or so proclaiming that Johnny Depp has been approached about playing “The Riddler” in the next Batman film. Would that be a cool casting? Sure. Could Depp do a good job with it? Probably, why not? But let’s look past the obvious problems with this rumor (no script, don’t know who’s writing it for sure, don’t know who’s directing it for sure… yadda yadda yadda). The biggest problem is this…
Why you dig back through where this rumor came from, you find that the originating source is… the National Enquirer. Yes, THAT National Enquirer… who by the way doesn’t name any sources for the rumor.
So let’s put this one to bed shall we? Oh sure, somewhere down the line Depp’s name COULD come up for the role, that’s possible. But as of right now, NO, Depp is not being talked to about The Riddler role… so let’s move on.
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Not being sarcastic John, but why post it anyway.
Even Anjelina Jolie is courting the idea of Catwoman.
It makes sense discussing this when Nolan is given the green light on #3. Like you also suggest when a script is in place.
Who wants him anyway? It’s too obvious,too cute and mainstream. And safe. That’s not how Nolan works, atleast in my opinion. He’ll get someone you wouldn’t expect.
BTW, Were not even sure Nolan will do a third one. He suggested that he might stop after this. So lets wait and see.
Hey Jay,
Because I had like 20 emails from people asking “Hey, did you hear that Johnny Depp is going to be The Riddler in the new Batman movie?!”
Ok sooooooo yea it would cool cause i think Depp is an awesome actor and has the skills to make the riddler what Heath did for the joker…. But like John said there is no script or for sure director so its way to early to start hearing these kinds of rumors.
Another i kinda big hole i see in this could be the return of the big name actors from TDK that were kind of just on the side and u never really see their names or anything like William Fichtner or Anthony Michael Hall. Yea you could say that Fichtner died so hes out but not really we just see him pass out with gas coming from his mouth…the bank never blew up or anything sooooo he could be a possible next villian or AMH even cause he was just the reporter and he was the one interviewing for Batmans true identity….
Its all speculation from my imagination as well as anyone else so i agree with john that its just way to early to even know or have any leaks out already.
Hey John…
SPOILER WARNING FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN’T SEEN DARK KNIGHT YET
Do you think it’s conceivable that Two-Face is the villain in the next Nolan Batman film? The reason I say this is because, when they were at Harvey Dent’s funeral, there was no coffin (at least I didn’t see one).
My initial thought of that scene was Gordon & Batman decided to send Harvey away somewhere and tell Gotham that he died. In the third one, Two-Face returns to Gotham from wherever he was sent (Arkham, maybe?) and goes after his revenge.
Your thoughts?
As wonderfully extensive as the Batman rogue’s gallery is, the better known villains are for the large part, very cartoony. Poison Ivy, Catwoman, Penguin, Riddler, Mr. Freeze — all are very much in the mold of a brightly costumed bank robber with a gimmick. Having just visited such territory in the form of the Joker, I’m thinking Nolan will reach deeper and possibly bring in a lesser villain that offers more flexibility in adapting to the reality-based world he’s created with Begins and Dark Knight.
My guesses are:
Hugo Strange — the psychologist who discovers Batman’s secret identity and also turns everyday people into killers. The psychosis of Wayne could be a big part in the next film: Rachel dead, hunted by the police, the public thinking him a villain…that’s got to weigh on a guy. Plus, the everyday people being turned into murderers speaks to the thematic bent of the series so far, which always keeps Gotham and it’s people (read: victims) a foremost part of the plot.
ManBat — yes, the half-bat, half-man. This goes against my reality basis criteria for guessing the next villain, but there’s something in the setup of Batman being hunted by the cops in the next film, that makes me wonder if Dr. Kurt Langstrom’s genetically altered self might be on a killing spree through the city. I can almost see something like a better version of Predator 2, with a highly realistic creature on the loose as a secondary villain.
The Al Ghul family — whether it’s Ra’s back from the dead, or his heretofore unseen daughter Talia, there’s a chance I think we see a returning villain. Clearly, Nolan and company had planned to bring back the Joker (being careful not to make the same sequel-cramping mistake Burton made by killing him off). And clearly this was envisioned as a trilogy (Bale signed for three) so even though no script is written, I’m guessing they had a vague idea for part 3 in mind for which they intended to use the Joker. But with Heath’s death, and the amount of attention his performance has nabbed, I find it hard to believe another actor would step into the role. After all, nobody wants their performance compared to a dead guy. So what was maybe intended plot-wise for the Joker in B3 could fall to the al Ghul family in the third film, to bring a sense of full-circle completion, as well as some continuity from previous entries.
Remember John they are not saying that he is cast yet or that he has been approached, they are just saying that the studio/producers would LIKE him to be in the role should they have that character in an upcoming film.
FYI, we’re not “jumping” on it at In Contention. I take any nugget as an excuse to sound off on Batman, you know that. The Depp stuff is total BS, grist for the mill. I don’t think anyone is really BELIEVING it. Remember Glover and Jude Law as prospects for the Joker? If the Riddler pops up as the third film’s villain, Nolan will blindside us with some out-of-the-box choice like he did with Ledger.
“But as of right now, NO, Depp is not being talked to about The Riddler role”
Also, that’s stong language. Remember, you don’t fancy yourself a journalist.
And “stong” means “strong” where I come from. I swear it.
I think that given the box office success of TDK there will almost certainly be a third movie with Christopher Nolan at the helm. I’d bet my house on it. Why would Nolan or the studio back out now? It’s just a matter of time.
I don’t think that Depp is too mainstream for the role or for Nolan. He’s a SUPERB character actor and I think that he could nail pretty much any role he was given.
In one interview, he said if he doesn’t believe he can outdo the second one, he won’t do a third. And in another interview, he said he might not even want to do another. He might be done. So, again, we’ll see. It’s not about money with this guy. He is a true artist.
I would not doubt Depp being in Shadow of The Bat. However, Nolan loves to shock us so I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes for an unknown or a surprise for whatever villian or villains appear in the third film.
Even if the rumor is not true in the end, it’s always fun to banter about casting ideas. Personally I can’t see Depp as the riddler for some reason. A lot of posts mention Phillip Seymour Hoffman as Penguin. For my money, Paul Giamatti is THE perfect option to play Penguin although I hear Nolan doesn’t want to use Penguin in the re-imagined Batman world.
@Bill Clay
Man, you are on the right track with those. Nobody else has mentioned Hugo Strange but he could work perfectly in a Nolan Bat-flick.
@Ransom
Don’t bet that house sir. I’m sure WB wants Nolan back but if his schedule does not conform to theirs then they’ll get someone else. The success of TDK practically demands the next Batman film by 2011 but Nolan might want to make other films first (like ‘The Prisoner’ i’m hoping).
Y’know, i’ve heard those Daniel Day Lewis as the Joker casting theories and just dismissed them at first as being cliched but the more i think about it, the more i can see him being the only logical choice to replace Ledger. If you think about it, just bringing back the character for another film is something that a fair few people will be opposed to and i think Day Lewis is, literally, the only actor alive who could be cast in the part and everyone would just relax and go with it. Am I wrong?
The Penguin was a huge rumor (rethunk up as an eccentric Russian arms dealer) but the rumor was just that. Anthony Michael Hall was cast as a reporter, but how many times did you hear “he’s the Riddler!”?
If we are looking for easter egg clues in The Dark Knight, then Catwoman would be a strong contender. I would not mind if it was the case, but I also would not mind if it wasn’t.
Since there are still various members of the League Of Shadows within Gotham or around it (Ras suggests members are woven into varied positions within Gotham; we did see some LOS ninjas leave Ras before the train went forward, and were not stopped by Batman) so it’s possible Talia might be around in the filmverse; and it is possible that if they use Hugo Strange, that Hugo Strange could pick up where Ras left off. I don’t buy Man-Bat, Bill, I just don’t.
As for Two-Face? He’s dead.
I’d like to see a “new” Bane and/or Jean Paul Valley (Azazel) myself; maybe Holiday Killer and/or Hangman (the Falcone siblings) a longshot might be The Wrath.
Better yet, Gregorian Falstaff.
no penguin.
no freeze guy.
no cat woman.
bring on robin, deathstrocke and the riddler!!!
how about….BANE!!!!!
maybe black mask..hes not that famous though but meh…
Darren J Seeley
i just read your comment and i agree 100%
appart from the azazell part…idk i dont really like him
no Hazmat…no
Clayface plz.
There is no script. There is no director. So all these casting rumors are nonsense. The studio will not be approaching anyone until they know where nolan wants to take it. After the success of this film warners will hand nolan the world. It will be his call who is in the next film. Success like this lifts directors to new leagues and if nolan does want to do the next film (fingers crossed) he will be deciding who the villains are. So until he is definitely signed on and has a script no one is being approached by anyone.
This is all speculation with none of it based on real fact.
And @ Moe – No Two Face will not be the villain in the next film because he one hundred percent case closed game over died at the end of The Dark Knight. when gordon and batman are standing over his lifeless corpse and batman decides to take the blame if they have no urgency. They don’t think “shit lets get this guy some help. hes still alive but hes all fucked up but if wqe stand here talking he could very well die after falling from that building. we should probably have this coversation later and get this guy to a hospital”
no they can clearly see that he is dead so they are in no hurry to tend to him.
Also go watch it again and listen to everything that is being said at the dinner scene and also at the fundraiser. It is quite clear where this story is headed.
And to those who say “Harvey Dent Died but Two Face survived” – um no. when dent kills the cop in the bar the cop says “dent I thought you were dead” and dent says “half” so dent had already died. all that was left was two face. And he died falling off the building. Its a complete story. He has a complete traqic arc. If he was to come back it completely ruins the power of the film. Batman is alone. His reason to want a normal life has gone and his chance to have a normal life has gone to and they will be resting on his conscience.
And if Nolan doesn’t want to direct the next one they can just bring in schumacher to take over. It worked out so well last time…..
RePost :
Christopher Nolan is a genius. Focused and Cerebral movies that DON’T DUMB IT DOWN HOLLYWOOD!!!
I’d like to see Bruce Willis next as Tony Zucco to introduce Robin. To be played by :
Patrick Fugit (Almost Famous)
or
Joseph Gordon Leavitt (The Lookout)
or
Paul Campbell (BSG)
or
Michael Pitt (Murder by Numbers)
NO on Robin: Ryan Gosling, Jake Gyllenhall, James McAvoy, Anakin Skywalker…
Daniel Day Lewis as the Penguin. Snap!
And Robin should be a kid, a real young kid. Like 8 years old. And BM raises ‘im up in his image over two or three movies.
i did read yesterday that depp will be the mad hatter in burtons alice.
Why even put the Riddler in another Batman film? I’d like to see someone who can actually fight Batman.
I wouldn’t want to see Poison Ivy, Riddler, Penguin or Mr. Freeze in another Batman movie, they’re just too cheesy.
I could possibly accept Catwoman. I like the Bane & Azrael idea or Talia & the remants of Ra’s Al Ghul. Hugo Strange sounds interesting but again I kind of want at least one villain who is a physical threat to Batman.
what do you mean with
“don’t know who’s directing it for sure”
are you stupid or something? (ok, that was a rhetorical qestion, sorry)
Hey Jason,
Well… considering Nolan has made no commitments to do a thrid Batman film and has publicly said he may not do another one, you’d have to be pretty “stupid” (your words) to not acknowledge the flat truth that you don’t know for certain who will direct the next one.
Will Nolan direct the next one? Probably, but until he signs, you don’t know for sure
How about this…
George W Bush as The Riddler.
Dick Cheney as The Penquin
Condaliza Rice as Catwoman
Carrot Top as Poison Ivy
Shia Lebouf as Robin
Elisha Cuthbert as Harley Quinn
Criss Angel, Sean Penn, or Crispin Clover as The Joker
How about Crispin Glover as The Riddler? But he should not be goofy but deadly evil – like a serial killer. When he leaves riddles to be solved, it should be like when Zodiac left his letters. This will unfortunately leave less room for action – but it would be intense. To excite things at the end of the film we find Two face come back from the dead to battle Batman. Batman will have to find a way to physically battle Two Face and put an end to Riddler’s serial killer antics at the same time. Am I way out there? Just think it would be fun.
If they do decide to do a 3rd they should get Brad Dourif to step into the role of the joker. I think he could pull it off and maybe even make the performance his own.
Okay, you all never asked for my advice, but I still young, so I’ll give it to you anyways. I am not sure where the ” know-it-alls ” are getting their information that Johnny Depp is really NOT considered for the part of the Riddler in the next Batman movie.
I suppose whoever they heard was an extremely reliable source. Also, I would like to comment on what Jordon wrote and I quote. ” Personlly, I can’t see Johnny Depp as the Riddler for some reason. ” And I agree with you Jordon.
Don’t get me wrong . . . Johnny would do an excellent job as the Riddler. After all, he IS a very talented actor. It is just that, playing the part of a villian doesn’t really suite him. It really isn’t his thing.
I agree that Depp is far too obvious a choice and people are not taking the time to consider many of the other talented actors who could pull off the role even better.
theres nothing set in stone, but depp can play a villian, just look at public enemies, sweeny todd, and (although not a total villian) secret window. and if given the chance to play the riddler in these dark versions of batman, i think he will make it his own and maybe (hopefully) get the lil golden man (=