The role of the Riddler has previously been tackled by Frank Gorshin in the television version of Batman, with Jim Carrey wearing the question-mark covered tights in Batman Forever. Meanwhile, the Penguin was handled on television by the incomparable Burgess Meredith, and a distinctively disgusting Penguin was played by Danny DeVito in Batman Returns.
A source told the Enquirer that "(Producers) are convinced that the role of the Riddler is perfect for Depp. Johnny's a pro. He'll be able to take direction from director Chris Nolan and still make the character his own. And what better Penguin is there than Philip Seymour Hoffman."
While it's hard to argue against either Depp as the Riddler or Hoffman as the Penguin, when one considers the original source, it's probably best to consider this one firmly in the 'rumor' category for now.
Comments (322)
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Vamp
I've said it before, and I'll continue to say it! NO ONE SHOULD REPLACE JOKER!
4 years agoby @vampire2000Flag
SpaceCowboy
Depp for Joker. NO Penguin!!! The Riddler will be who then?
this is just my expectation for a third [and hopefully final] installment in Nolan's Batman
4 years agoby @SpaceCowboyFlag
TheDarkKnight
he'd be alright as riddler
4 years agoby @thedarkknightdkFlag
T.Clark
btw, knowing that i like bioshock, least ya know the type of stories i'm into. Watchmen and bioshock, to me, are both stories that are dif. in their genre and had an impact on thier respected kinds of releases(graphic novel and video game)
4 years agoby @insertusernamehereFlag
T.Clark
Thanks comrade. I'm goin back to bioshock when the movie comes out and getting rid of the watchmen stuff when the movie passes. Just showin my enthusiasm now that the hype is up
4 years agoby @insertusernamehereFlag
bostonterrier
boy, I sure hope so. Can't get enough of JD. No matter what is in, he is good. Go Johnny!!!!
4 years agoby @bostonterrierFlag
-comrade-
It's..all right man. At least now you understand where I come form with stuff like this. It happens a lot, I like something, then Hollywood capitalizes on it, then everybody likes it and parades it around, it's kind of like seeing your girlfriend raped by strangers. Ignorant strangers. Though not nearly as severe, it still hurts. I liked your BioSock page a lot, BTW, and even your original Watchmen layout.
4 years agoby @taberjohnson18Flag
T.Clark
Comrade, i friend requested u again. Hopefully u read what i typed b4 u deny me. Just understand, that i didn't respond to ur headline on ur page cuz, well, i don't visit ur page lol I had no idea u felt that way, or i would have responded like i did on my last comment. Watchmen is incredible, i read it last JUNE, not this year. I had read about it wizard a few times and thought it sounded interesting.
4 years agoby @insertusernamehereFlag
Lock and Stock
JOHNNY DEPP WILL DO A BRILIANT JOB,AND I DONT AGREE WITH THE GUY WHO SAID THE DARK KNIGHT ISNT AS GOOD..IT WAS BRILIANT.
4 years agoby @m-man360Flag
JR
for once i kinda agree with pype..NOT!!!
4 years agoby @supbitchFlag
PypeBomb
After watching The Dark Knight for the 2nd time it's not as good. Everyone's acting performances (aside from Heath Ledger) were weak as sh*t.
Regardless of who they get for the 3rd movie, they need to focus more on the performances...otherwise it will be a f*cking piece of sh*t.
4 years agoby @pypebombFlag
Vamp
Hello dumbass, Depp has done serious before. Have you seen Secret Window, or perhaps Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street? Yea I didn't f*cking think so.
4 years agoby @vampire2000Flag
Solar XI
If Penguin is involved, him and Riddler will compete to be Gotham's greatest criminal, knocking Joker out the box... thats my vision
4 years agoby @solarxiFlag
Solar XI
Johnny Depp would be my first choice...then Ryan Gosling. As I said before- Joker should cameo in a third. Catwoman cannot be considered a love interest because he is grieving over Rachel. Riddler will make Bruce Wayne realize that Gotham needs Batman...although he is wanted for many crimes comitted by Joker and Two Face
4 years agoby @solarxiFlag
The Anarchist
I personally wouldn't pick Depp, just because Depp has already played a lot of weird characters... We need someone more SERIOUS... We need Ryan Gosling...
4 years agoby @dr-manhattanFlag
T.Clark
Just to add, i REALLY don't want u to think i'm a poser, cuz i'm not, and i know u know ur stuff. If u didn't, i wouldn't give two sh*ts if u thought i was that, but i understand that you've been a fan of this ur whole life, so i'm just trying to make u understand that i loved this before it was cool to read, like u said.
4 years agoby @insertusernamehereFlag
T.Clark
I tried posting this on ur profile comrade, but i see u deleted me:
Ooohh...i see why u think i'm a poser. I saw ur headline on ur profile. Look, i read watchmen last year before any news on the movie was released, save the director and cast. I love that book, it's "the greatest piece of popular fiction ever produced."-damon lindelof. If u haven't noticed, i've been saying the same thing about all these posers since the trailer was released. Most of these people don't know sh*t about the book, but i do. I've read it 3 times. Just cuz i have a watchmen avatar doesn't mean i'm posing with these other sh*tfaces. I just don't have one til NOW, cuz the hype has gone up and i'm showing my support. I was 14 when i read it, i'm 15 now. I think that would alone change ur mind. I'll look back at this and feel the same way u are. I've been voicing my support for this AND bashing the posers, but i guess u didn't notice. I hope this changes ur mind about me and i don't want any hardfeelings. Ur not the only one who loves watchmen and understands the impact it has
-The Vis
4 years agoby @insertusernamehereFlag
jabinferno
If only Heath were alive...he could've had his own 'Joker' spin-off, and pulled it off. If 'The Dark Knight' would've been just about him I still would have been a very satisfied customer.
4 years agoby @jabinfernoFlag
jabinferno
Like the idea or not, they need to continue using the Joker. Depp has the charisma, and box office track record to put his own spin on the role; as far as the Riddler is concerned...I thought Anthony Michael Hall aka 'Mike Engal' was up for the part. Rearrange his name, minus a letter or two, and you have ENIGMA... aka Ed Nygma aka 'The Riddler.' Correct me if I'm wrong.
4 years agoby @jabinfernoFlag
The Narrator: The Better Man
If they do the penguin lie in No Mans Land, it could work. Phillip would totally work. However I want to see The Riddler.
4 years agoby @narratorFlag
seymourstrange
johnny all the way, the jokers story could tie in with another animated movie, i'd love to see that.
i really hope they do the penguin i think nolan could give him a really menacing edge.
4 years agoby @seymourstrangeFlag
-comrade-
Look, you're saying that no matter what bad guy is chosen, his origin and the paradigm of his character can be distorted any way it needs to be, so doesn't that mean that anyone could be the bad guy with equal effectiveness? So every idea you've posted has been a waste.
BTW, you're not my friend, you're a tool and a poser.
Foster seems better than Depp.
4 years agoby @taberjohnson18Flag
Vamp
LOL, I know that's what you keep saying, but Depp was my first pick, and he'd make it more than just another wacky role, I'm sure. He'd make it his own, something new. Sort of like Heath did with The Joker. Foster'd be my second pick though, if that consoles you any.
4 years agoby @vampire2000Flag
T.Clark
If he gets it, i'll be content, but foster was my first pick b4 this news. I actually think depp has been in so many films, that this will just be another wacky role for him...foster could bring something new, like heath...but like i said, depp would be second pick, def.
4 years agoby @insertusernamehereFlag
Vamp
P.P.S. Johnny Depp for Riddler. ;)
4 years agoby @vampire2000Flag
T.Clark
P.S. Ben Foster for riddler :)
4 years agoby @insertusernamehereFlag
T.Clark
We know gotham knight took place between the two films, that's why i mentioned deadshot in the first place "genius." Plus, he's realistic. He's a lot dif. from bullseye. Sure, they're both marksman, but if the creators approached deadshot as a prisoner that they let out to bring in batman now that he's on the run(with a tracking device in him, of course), he could def. work. He uses firearms too, while bullseye is more like a "use anything that's sharp at my disposal" type villain. Plus, we haven't seen him on the big screen. The riddler can be the main villain however. Batman's tracking the riddler while deadshot's tracking batman.
Look comrade, were friends, but i hate it when u get all pissy about ur comic book films. I take it seriously too, which is why i brought up these ideas.
4 years agoby @insertusernamehereFlag
-comrade-
Gotham Knight was part of the film continuity geniuses. It took place between the two films. And Bullseye--oh, wait "Deadshot" is just a hitman who doesn't miss. Lame. At least the Riddler has the potential to be something unique. The Penguin is ridiculously stupid, not scary or in any way a force to be reckoned with. And Black Mask? Look, most of Batman's villains are just glorified mobsters...BORING! You need someone with an edge, like Batman, to create something interesting and unexpected. That's why there is only a small portion of the rogues gallery that would work. Catwoman isn't a villain, she's Just a thief who plays the good side of things when it benefits her, or when she feels like. Catwoman IS an interesting character, and could work in the Nolan Batman Universe. Oh, and all of you twittering 16-year-old girls saying "Johnny Depp would be AMAZING! The best thing since I gargled balls for the first time." Look, Depp is a good actor, and he often partakes in being a great actor, but it's not a guarantee that he can do something like this and make it good. I would be fine with him as the Riddler, but I prefer someone like Jude Law or James McAvoy, kind of a springier personality. Depp is most often brooding. He could be Batman after Bale blows up on some two year old and can't film a third one because he's in prison with nothing but his insufferably stiff lip to comfort him.
In closing, Riddler seems like a good choice, or a resurrection of Scarecrow as something, well, scarier. Catwoman would be fine, but she is in no way a necessity.
Personally, I don't see why they don't just use Hush or Holiday.
If they even make a third movie. And if they don't, so what? The second one had a great finish.
4 years agoby @taberjohnson18Flag
vaver16
i could see him play a good riddler, i always thought Crispin Glover would make a good ridder
4 years agoby @vaver16Flag
seymourstrange
so is this film comfirmed?
4 years agoby @seymourstrangeFlag