Johnny Depp Addresses ‘Batman 3’ Riddler Rumors; Bale says Batman 3 may not happen

[GreenScar]

I'm not one to get too excited for Batman rumors, but this one would really get me excited if it happened.

“If the opportunity came, I’d definitely juggle it,” he said.

While director Christopher Nolan’s future with the Batman franchise is very much up in the air, speculation surrounding a follow-up to last year’s “The Dark Knight” continues unabated. One persistent rumor — perhaps fan-created — is the possibility of Johnny Depp joining the cast as the Riddler.

When MTV News caught up with the actor while he was promoting his upcoming Michael Mann film “Public Enemies,” Depp told us he’s open to taking on the role of the puzzle-hurling villain.

You can check out the video here.

In the same junket this is what Bale had to say:

If not for the offer of “whipping lessons” from Michelle Pfeiffer, the Catwoman of 1992’s “Batman Returns,” last week would have been a complete downer for Batman movie fans. On Wednesday, a rumor hit the ‘Net that director Christopher Nolan might not return for a third film after “Batman Begins” and “The Dark Knight,” and we’ve seen little reason to disqualify it thus far.

Heck, when we spoke to Batman actor Christian Bale on the set of his upcoming film “Public Enemies,” even he sounded uncertain about the Dark Knight’s big-screen future.

“I truly don’t know that we’re ever going to see another Batman movie,” Bale told MTV News.

Bale, whose contract requires him to play Gotham’s greatest hero in at least three films, said Nolan’s participation is likely to be decided by the quality of script over any other factor.

“It would be purely that he would need to find a story that was good enough,” said Bale, “and if he couldn’t find that it wouldn’t happen.”

While Bale is obligated to put on the cape and cowl again, the same isn’t true for Nolan. “The Dark Knight” director is currently working on “Inception,” so if “Batman 3″ did enter the equation, production couldn’t begin until 2011 at the earliest.

As it is, Bale said the idea of a Batman movie without Nolan wasn’t something he was willing to consider at this point, but reiterated that he wasn’t sure if audiences should ever expect a third film in the current franchise.

“I don’t even want to think about that,” said Bale. “I don’t know if there will be a third.”

You can check out the Bale video here.

[PH3AR]

I would love to see Depp as the Riddler in the next Batman movie!

[nolfoc]

for some reason if this movie does happen and it does have the riddler in it i would have to vote against Johnny Depp, hes a great actor i just think hes the obvious answer to play the riddler, and i think they need to stick with the not so obvious... i think the joker was such an amazing character because Heath wasn't the obvious choice to play him.... and i think nobody could have done a better job... actors i would like to see play the riddler; hmmm i think Kevin Spacey would play a f*ed up riddler he sure did a convincing enough job playing games in Seven...i also think Ray Liotta would play a good riddler... this is all my own opinion im sure many will disagree but i think they should steer away from Depp if they do a Batman 3 and have the Riddler in it...

[Mike53421]

So essentially there continues to be no news on Batman 3. I really hope Warner doesn't rush one out, but with all this media questioning it just smells like someone is going to rush into it to capitalize on TDK, I seriously hope not.

[Variable]

there's no way another movie doesn't happen with all the money TDK made, period. the question is if they give Nolan enough $$ to do it. or if he finds a story he's interested in. or both.

[Suntory_Times]

Originally Posted by Variable

there's no way another movie doesn't happen with all the money TDK made, period. the question is if they give Nolan enough $$ to do it. or if he finds a story he's interested in. or both.

x2, I'm guessing the studio probably wont want to wait untill Nolans schedule is free though. Whether Bale likes it or not, if another director comes in, he is still contractually obligated to be in one more batman film. In all honesty this talk about batman via Bale and the suggestion for Depp as the Riddler seems to be a farse just to have more interest gained on Public Enemies (which stars both Bale and Depp). The latest I imagine the next Batman film will be is 2012.

[Afrobean]

Originally Posted by PH3AR

I would love to see Depp as the Riddler in the next Batman movie!

If he takes it seriously (and the direction is serious), I wouldn't mind this one bit. I just don't want to see him fall into a jokey characterization like his Willy Wonka. But I honestly don't really care who they get in the part, as long it's a competent actor with proper direction who looks the part. I'm just hoping against hope that if they use him, they don't bog him down with the idea that he has to look like he has in past live action adaptations. I would be totally happy if they drop the question mark motif, and I really don't even need a domino mask either. I just hate the notion that people see the Riddler as a Joker rip-off; the differences between the characters seem to be blurred in live action material, portraying the Riddler as very jokey, very manic.

I also think it's funny for them to say that a third movie won't happen. The studio won't let that happen. There will be more Batman movies whether or not Nolan is involved, and given the success of the last two films, WB is almost certainly going to follow that continuity line for as long as they can.

[UKTruBlu]

I think it would be fantastice to see another batman film, and whats more is that with another 3 years they could really work on an amazing script, I'm not saying it will be better that the TDK - because you usually only get 1 or 2 of those in your life time - but i think the tru batman fans out there will be willing to wait.

[SlmShdy1]

I don't think Nolan's interested in the money, but instead, the quality of the script. He's said numerous times that he wouldn't do it unless the script was good enough. If you think about it, it's going to be the hardest job following the Dark Knight. Maybe he doesn't want that pressure.

[The Last Boyscout]

I hope they don't do the Riddler. He's too much like the Joker. They need to do a combination of villains. Like Batman Returns but substitute The Penguin for someone else.I know people said this about Jack Nicholsons Joker but No one else can play the penguin. Danny devito did a great job. Michelle Pheiffer played a great Catwoman but we need some redemption for that Halle berry disaster.

[Afrobean]

Originally Posted by The Last Boyscout

I hope they don't do the Riddler. He's too much like the Joker.

This is EXACTLY what I was talking about in my previous post.

People think Riddler and Joker are similar. They are not. Their only similar characteristic is that they're both insane villains who primarily go toe-to-toe with Batman. If they play Riddler like they have in past live action adaptations, I'll admit, it'd be bad due to connections to the Joker, but if they play it straight, serious, and real, it'd be great and would serve the character to push him into an area far apart from Joker. For a good, easy to follow means of differentiating the characters, take a look at Batman TAS episodes "If You're So Smart, Why Aren't You Rich?" and "Christmas with the Joker".

All that, and I really want to see an enemy for Batman that can test his intellectual limits. I feel like this incarnation of Batman is quite a ways from being worthy of the title of World's Greatest Detective. Then again, even though this upcoming Sherlocke Holmes film looks like it'll be entertaining, it appears that not even he is worthy of such a title. Maybe mystery and investigating just don't cut it for major motion pictures these days?

They need to do a combination of villains. Like Batman Returns but substitute The Penguin for someone else.I know people said this about Jack Nicholsons Joker but No one else can play the penguin. Danny devito did a great job.

DeVito's Penguin was well acted, I suppose, but the characterization was offmark for what I'd like to see, especially for a film in this continuity. You could have Oswald Cobblepot appear as an upscale criminal, one who doesn't use a silly name like "Joker", one who commits crimes completely indirectly as a mob boss. Would be truer to the source, a more real character, and in this role, would allow him to easily appear in the film universe without necessarily needing to be a primary character (that is to say, he could easily share screentime with other characters).

Notice also that the deformities that appeared in Batman Returns were original and completely unique to that adaptation. They were later adopted briefly in some comic works and the first few seasons of the animated series, but they reverted on all counts in short time.

Michelle Pheiffer played a great Catwoman but we need some redemption for that Halle berry disaster.

No, we do not need to have Catwoman appear in a new Batman movie just because the Halle Berry film was notoriously bad. We should have characters that can service the world created thus far, not do fan service. That said, I think Catwoman could work relatively well if done right, I just don't necessarily feel like they should be pushing the movies back into having a love interest just so there is a love interest, and I just know that would happen with Catwoman in there.

[gamer4eva]

they shld leave this franchise we dont want another terminator 3 happening

EDIT: oh i meant if christopher nolan isnt gonna come back

[GreenScar]

Originally Posted by gamer4eva

they shld leave this franchise we dont want another terminator 3 happening

Look out!

[Diesel]

as i've said before, i would LOVE for Nolan, Bale and the rest of the cast to come back for a third and include Depp (or even Daniel Day Lewis if need be) as the Riddler.


but if Nolan should not return to make a sequel and TDK is what we're left with as the ending, its a very fine ending indeed, leaving batman as the vigilante protector instead of the adored hero everyone looks up to

so as of right now i'm switching my brain over to "TDK doesn't need a sequel" until (if) Nolan comes out and says he is definitely making a third.

Edit: i also think its interesting how after saying a few times that he wants to do a third batman film and would love to do it again, he conspicuously doesn't want to discuss it now. Of course that could be because he wants to promote Public Enemies not Batman Begins 3, but who knows.

[GLaDOS]

Originally Posted by PH3AR

I would love to see Depp as the Riddler in the next Batman movie!

+1

It would be so badass to see Depp as the Riddler! Another Oscar FTW!!!

[Blu Titan]

I really can't understand some of the Hollywood types. TDK made tons of money, but none of the participants appear satisfied. All of the comments by Nolan and Bale are silly because we know that Batman 3 will be made. I guess it is all part of the negotiation process.

[Neil_Luv's_BLU]

Originally Posted by GreenScar

I'm not one to get too excited for Batman rumors, but this one would really get me excited if it happened.



While director Christopher Nolan’s future with the Batman franchise is very much up in the air, speculation surrounding a follow-up to last year’s “The Dark Knight” continues unabated. One persistent rumor — perhaps fan-created — is the possibility of Johnny Depp joining the cast as the Riddler.

When MTV News caught up with the actor while he was promoting his upcoming Michael Mann film “Public Enemies,” Depp told us he’s open to taking on the role of the puzzle-hurling villain.

You can check out the video here.

In the same junket this is what Bale had to say:


You can check out the Bale video here.

I think Bale should be more concerned about Terminator... If the international box office doesn't make up the considerable slack of the US box office, then there won't be a Terminator 5!!!

[GLaDOS]

Originally Posted by Blu Titan

I really can't understand some of the Hollywood types. TDK made tons of money, but none of the participants appear satisfied. All of the comments by Nolan and Bale are silly because we know that Batman 3 will be made. I guess it is all part of the negotiation process.

Perhaps due to all the hype after the Dark Knight, maybe Nolan and Bale will announce a Batman 3 later at next year's Comic-Con. Who knows?

[MaCruz]

I'm hoping that there will be a part III because the story is still undone, and the franchise would be incomplete.

[andyman1970]

Originally Posted by PH3AR

I would love to see Depp as the Riddler in the next Batman movie!

How predictable.

Originally Posted by nolfoc

for some reason if this movie does happen and it does have the riddler in it i would have to vote against Johnny Depp, hes a great actor i just think hes the obvious answer to play the riddler, and i think they need to stick with the not so obvious... i think the joker was such an amazing character because Heath wasn't the obvious choice to play him.... and i think nobody could have done a better job... actors i would like to see play the riddler; hmmm i think Kevin Spacey would play a f*ed up riddler he sure did a convincing enough job playing games in Seven...i also think Ray Liotta would play a good riddler... this is all my own opinion im sure many will disagree but i think they should steer away from Depp if they do a Batman 3 and have the Riddler in it...

I agree they should be unpredictable and chose a different villain and actor. This is what everyone expects and exactly why it would fail.

Originally Posted by Afrobean

If he takes it seriously (and the direction is serious), I wouldn't mind this one bit. I just don't want to see him fall into a jokey characterization like his Willy Wonka. But I honestly don't really care who they get in the part, as long it's a competent actor with proper direction who looks the part. I'm just hoping against hope that if they use him, they don't bog him down with the idea that he has to look like he has in past live action adaptations. I would be totally happy if they drop the question mark motif, and I really don't even need a domino mask either. I just hate the notion that people see the Riddler as a Joker rip-off; the differences between the characters seem to be blurred in live action material, portraying the Riddler as very jokey, very manic.

So, if Johnny Depp does play the Riddler in the next Batman movie maybe he could play it more like Sweeny Todd?

Originally Posted by kotsedriver

+1

It would be so badass to see Depp as the Riddler! Another Oscar FTW!!!

Because Johnny Depp is so great at playing basically the same character over and over again?

Originally Posted by Neil_Luv's_BLU

I think Bale should be more concerned about Terminator... If the international box office doesn't make up the considerable slack of the US box office, then there won't be a Terminator 5!!!

Good. Lets hope there isn't.