[UPDATE: This rumor is utterly and completely baseless. Confirmed by AICN.]
A little over a month ago we reported that noises were being made stating that Johnny Depp and Philip Seymour Hoffman would be joining The Dark Knight sequel (referred to now as Batman 3). Supposedly they would be playing the Riddler and the Penguin, respectively.
We took this with a very large grain of salt, but now there is more news indicating that the casting of these two actors may be moving forward.
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According to MTV (again, following the Will Smith/Captain America rumor) Michael Caine (who played Bruce Wayne’s long time friend/butler Alfred in Batman Begins and The Dark Knight) mentioned that Depp and Hoffman are firmly in the sights of Warner Bros for the (anti-)dynamic duo of The Riddler and The Penguin.
From the interview with MTV:
“I was with [a Warner Bros.] executive and I said, ‘Are we going to make another one?’ They said yeah. I said, ‘How the hell are we going to top Heath? And he says ‘I’ll tell you how you top Heath – Johnny Depp as The Riddler and Philip Seymour Hoffman as The Penguin.’ I said, ‘S-t, they’ve done it again!’” [Laughs]
So is this just a wish list by WB execs or something more solid? So far there isn’t even a script or even a story for Batman 3 as far as we know, and Chis Nolan has been quoted as saying he did not want major, well known villains in the next film.
But of course money (box office) talks, and Warner Bros may override him. Of course it’s not like they’re trying to force lousy actors on Nolan.. both of these fellow are fantastic actors, and that could help seal the deal since Nolan wants to put out a quality film.
For more details head over to MTV.com.
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59 Comments
Didn’t I read somewhere that Nolan has saved some footage and scenes of Heath Ledger that could possibly be used in a sequel to tie up the Joker story arc?
Anyone? Am I crazy here?
Well see now here’s the deal on this story. I traced it back to the UK site that started it and they had an unnamed source. The thing is, Michael Caine actually brings up a conversation he supposedly had with a WB exec.
Now either the conversation really took place, or he just took the existing story and ran with it, making up the fact that the comment came directly from Warner Bros.
Vic
@Daniel Fenwick
“Just because you love Depp doesn’t mean that everyone who doesn’t is on some sort of band wagon or only dislikes someone because they are mainstream. ”
Reread my post Bud…Never claimed to “love him”…Just making an observation..Pay attention..
Fenwick is a Depp hater…Your bias percolates through…Try to be more objective
Yeah GreenKnight333, I heard that about 2 months ago and wrote about it here on one of the threads.
Rumor is that Nolan purposfully edited out scenes of Ledger at Arkham in the end.
He could use those in the next film,,,
Would be a smart move if he does.
@ Greenknight
I don’t know about everyone else, but I have not gone back and forth regarding Depp. I’ve always felt that way about him. I enjoyed Edward Scissorhand, but that was ages ago and I didn’t think it was all him that made the movie. I still only thought of him as OK. And now all of a sudden he is like the next big fad in terms of actors and I just never understood it…
From what I’ve heard, Nolan doesn’t like the penguin character and doesn’t want to use it. Its the WB execs that are spreading all the rumors. And as far as Johnny Depp goes, I’m kinda neutral on him, but I don’t know if I like him for riddler. I’m also not sure If I even think riddler should be in the next movie. What I do know, is that its too early for too much speculation, I doubt we’ll see another Batman movie before 2012.
greenknight333 I’m only a Depp hater because I can’t stand his films and he has never been impressive in a role. I didn’t just wake up and say “I’m going to not like Johnny Depp”
I’m not a bit fan of Depp’s overall work, but I will grant the man is a fine and capable actor who just so happens to have taken roles I’m not particularly fond of, with the exception of Pirates of the Caribbean (mostly the first one) for creating a singularly unique and iconic character out of what should have been a forgettable and thankless role.
I can appreciate the skill he has without being a huge fan. That said, I think he could do something quite memorable in Nolan’s Bat-verse if given the proper leeway by an actor’s director like Nolan is proving himself to be.
He is a capable actor but there is nothing special or stand out about him. Any thing I have seen from him I could name at least 10 other actors who could do just as good if not better.
Well, I don’t know about same or better, because it might be comparing apples to oranges because his performance is kind of different than most other actors. So his acting is definitely unique, but not sure if it’s “good” since he tends to act very similarly in all of his roles…
Kind of like Jim Carrey, so maybe he might be meant for Riddler, lol.
I can agree with you there Ken. What I meant by same was more along the lines of being just as praised. Depp is one of the few actors that no matter what movie he is going to be in you can predict almost exactly how he will portray the part. It doesn’t really ever change. I think if this were the 90’s still and we were still in that era of Batman films he would be fine for the part, but I don’t see his style fitting in with the Nolan films.
Either one would be perfectly cast IMO. I can’t wait to see if these pan out.
There will be no cast updates for like a year, I’ve never seen a film so overhyped before AND after like TDK and the next batman.
they should try gary oldman as the riddler. depp is… yeah.
If not for the Pirates of the Carribean sequels, all of you would eat your words about Johnny Depp. He is a magnificent method actor when given the right material and a film-maker the caliber of which can inspire the best in him. And, as we’ve seen, Chris Nolan is the kind of film-maker that can bring out the best in most actors. As far as whether we want to see Riddler and Penguin, all I can say is the same people that keep bashing a new take on these guys were the ones that were all like “Jack IS the Joker. We don’t need to do him again” so I for one welcome and would be highly elated to see Nolan’s take on an OCD socially-dissociated serial killer searching recognition for his intellect by casting a shadow over the Batman with nothing but Riddles to link him to the murders. And each murder brings him a step closer to his goal: Killing Batman. Falcone jailed, Maroni dead, a new mob-boss is needed. Enter Ozzy “the Penguin” Cobblepot. He’s brought the family out of harsh times in other major cities. He’s ready to take a crack at Gotham, and he’s not afraid of this “Bat character”. But, he needs to get him out of his hair. He hires a hitman, one who is obsessed with leaving a calling card in the form of riddles. He’s not a terrorist, hellbent on the world knowing his name, and seeing his face. He’s the product of a brilliant imaginiation in a dark time. Joker has brought out the best in some, but the worst in others. The madness in Gotham has only escalated further. And Batman has to solve the clues and find Riddler, before Riddler finds him.
Hey TheHunter,,, have you seen “Dead Man”?
My favorite Depp film is prob “Ed Wood”.
He would be awesome as the Riddler.
Umm Hunter I hope you realize you can’t speak for everyone. I couldn’t stand Depp long before I ever heard of him being cast in Pirates. I simply haven’t liked his work and even in the films he’s been in that are decent he has never done anything impressive that stands out to me.
Hey Daniel have you seen Ed Wood ?
Yes Ed Wood is one of the ones I disliked the most. I honestly would of been much happier had I never seen that movie.
Lol,,
Ghessh
Hahaaa.
That’s cool Daniel,,, we all hate our specific actors,,,,,,,,,,,
Like I said though I liked Cry baby and Secret Window wasn’t to bad.
Sleepy Hollow ???
I liked the story but not the movie.
Nightmare on Elm St?
21 Jump St????
Lol
Do people actually like Nightmare on Elm St? I hope that there are not people in the world who consider that a great film. It has it’s purpose I suppose but it’s by no means a good film.
Ok Daniel,,,
I see there’s no turning ya.
You know they’re not going to cast the obvious choice for the Batman movie, so it’s all gravy, baby. The executives would be idiots to force Nolan and co. to make any changes. But, I guess that’s what they’re there for. They’ve already got Christian Bale, so they don’t really need anything else to advertise the movie, so as long as it’s good, there won’t be a problem.
You know i gotta agree with Panana they wont try to cast someone who is really obviouse. They havent yet who says they will now? just a thought
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