Now that The Dark Knight has been out for over three weekends, I will begin to splatter more spoiler-ish information into posts as we begin to discuss “Batman 3″, or whatever name we can derive for the next film.
Christopher Nolan hasn’t yet signed on for a third Batman movie, and his screenwriter John Nolan is still on the set of Terminator Salvation. Until the key players sign-on, including David Goyer, ANY casting rumors that you see are most likely wishlists or articles looking to capitalize on The Dark Knight’s popularity.
Taking this point into consideration, I now present you the three main rumblings that are spreading across the internet:
Angelina Jolia as Catwoman
This rumor seems to have originated from an NY Daily News article which reckons that Angelina Jolie should play Catwoman in the next Batman incarnation — or so former Catwoman and ‘Batman icon’ Julie Newmar thinks.
“Angelina would own the part. My industry friends tell me [she] has made inquiries about the role. I can understand how it would piqué her interest. Catwoman is Batman’s one true love. She’s tremendously popular with women because she’s both a heroine and a villainess. When you look at the staggering box office of this current film, which actress wouldn’t want to jump in?”
Although this goes against Nolan and Goyer’s inclination NOT to bring back the humanoid feline.
Johnny Depp as The Riddler
Meanwhile, the suprious and terrible National Enquirer, via Jake and Hollywood.com are tipping Johnny Depp to play The Riddler. That’s the extent of the news feature.
“(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.”
(SPOILER: I’ve also read rumors that Depp would be a good substitute for The Joker should they wish to bring him back in some capacity.)
Philip Seymour Hoffman as The Penguin
The tabloid also thinks:
“And what better Penguin is there than Philip Seymour Hoffman.”
I can guarantee that come 12 months, none of these predictions will be close. Fan reactions to these rumors are also entirely inconsequential — we all remember how masses reacted when Heath Ledger was cast as The Joker.
Comments 43 Responses to “Casting Rumors for the Dark Knight Sequel”
I think putting catwoman into Nolans universe of Batman would be a mistake and besides I think that Jolie would be terrible. If they should bring Catwoman at least cast Scarlett, or Kate Beckinsale. And as for my opinion for bringing the Joker back, it would be terrible, no one can match Heath Ledger performance, not even the great Johnny Depp. But as for the Riddler he would be perfect. And as for Penguin Bob Hoskins would be better than Hoffman, don’t get wrong I like Hoffman, he was spectacular in Capote, MI-3, and Before the Devil Knows your dead.
I think putting catwoman into Nolans universe of Batman would be a mistake and besides I think that Jolie would be terrible. If they should bring Catwoman at least cast Scarlett, or Kate Beckinsale. And as for my opinion for bringing the Joker back, it would be terrible, no one can match Heath Ledger performance, not even the great Johnny Depp. But as for the Riddler he would be perfect. And as for Penguin Bob Hoskins would be better than Hoffman, don’t get wrong I like Hoffman, he was spectacular in Capote, MI-3, and Before the Devil Knows your dead.
Philip Seymour Hoffman is a good choice if they use him but Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolia are to big and get alot of parts. Its proven, Heath Ledger wasn’t necessarily an A list star but he was perfect for the role, if they had given it to a big actor then it wouldn’t have worked as well.
I am almost 100% sure this will never happen
Pleassse, no big names. I really don’t think most big names are that talented as actors (some exceptions, including Johnny Depp). Heath Ledger wasn’t exactly a-list. He played very diverse roles and had something to bring to each of them.
Either way, big names will really distract from the characters. I want to get lost in the characters, and this requires a talented actor who can really adapt to different roles, and add depth to them, like we never knew the character before even when they are from an infamous series of comics. Even actors who act well–but are very limited and specialized in their roles–are only going to be seen for their name.
I know its a future event in the Batman mythos, but I think with the direction that Mr. Nolan has taken the Batman he could get away with using the villain Hush. The story line is similar to Bruce Wayne/Batman. What do you think?
No Johnny Depp.
Obviously, it should be Daniel Day Lewis or Tim Roth.
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Oh, I certainly hope not.
The first Joker went down because of this (I like Jack Nichleson and all…but everything he does ends up just that-Jack.) These characters are too complex for some snobby
A-lister who wants themselves in the movie and to not give Batman what people really come to see; The Villians!!!
…And if Reese Witherspoon is signed up for Harley Quinn, I’ll handle necessary matters myself, dressed ‘to the nines’!
I agree that Daniel Day Lewis or Tim Roth would play good villians … but not the Riddler. Regardless of Depp being an A-lister as of late, he would make a perfect Riddler and bring a dark side (see Sweeney Todd) to the character.
Personally, I’d like to see a more ‘normal human’ character. Let’s see more of Victor Zsasz in a subplot like Two-Face was done. Ditch the Catwoman idea … she’s been overdone and beat into the dirt. If a woman villian is chosen, do Poison-Ivy and do her right.
I personally would like to see Firefly or Black Mask … especially Black Mask. To me, Black Mask is a sicker version of the Joker (read the War Drums/Games storyline). The way he tortured Spoiler was sick, twisted and good to read. I think Daniel Day Lewis would be perfect for Black Mask (see Gangs of New York). As for Roth, I have no clue who he’d be great for.
I think Catwoman would be a good addition to the next movie, considering one of the themes for the next movie will deal with Bruce Wayne coping with a dual identity. There’s a love connection between Bruce and Selina but they just can’t be together for obvious reasons. Riddler would also be good for the same theme, maybe figure out Batman identity and use it against him.
Johnny Depp would be a great Riddler. He can play that cool, calm, charismatic, but evil character. He could also pull off the Joker part if it were a very minor role and no close-ups. Be great if they could work Harley Quinn in, Zooey Deschanel would be perfect. If Poison Ivy, Alicia Witt would be great. And I’m down to four on Catwoman and can’t make up my mind: Shannyn Sossamon, Rachel Weisz, Olivia Wilde, or Connie Nielsen.
they better not put harley quinn in it… that will kill her. NO ONE can be harl, but harl
all i got to say is that it would be bad ass if they brought clayface in to the sequel
I think Angelina Jolie would be a good pick as well as Kate Beckinsale as the cat woman for the third installment.….… Bringing the joker back right away would have actors fearing the role only because how well Heath Ledger portrayed the joker.…… But I think Joaquin Phoenix or Daniel Day-Lewis Could do an awesome Job of portraying the joker for the fourth film.….. It would be a dark version as well as a different performance.…… But these two actors play Dark roles so I think they could be great.……
Clayface would be badass (Jon). Also I think if the Joker comes back in any of the movies it shoulder be as a secondary villain like Two-face was in The Dark Knight. I think Having The Riddler/Posion Ivy combo would be awesome, with Deep or Zachary Quinto would be good riddlers. Also I would have Jolie or Eliza Patricia Dushku play Posion Ivy, more as a seductive woemn who pulls unsuspecting targets into her trap then a go-getter villain like Cat-woman. As for Hoffman he should play the Penguin, maybe if there’s a fourth the villain cast can be Penguin/Clayface and/or Black Mask.
I hate to disagree with these people. But I’m going to anyway. Nobody could pull off Joker like Ledger did. I think he did the character justice better then jack nicholson himself. He played the dark saidistic joker we all know from the comics. Now bring depp in as The Riddler, I could see that. But in the name of all that’s holy do not, I repeat do not bring bloody catwoman into the mix. It would completely spell disaster for nolan and the bad ass batman movies he has made. I say just stick to one villian this time. If they find it neccessary to bring in another one. I would love to see black mask, he did a pretty good number on spoiler in the comic and i thin he would be an awesome nemesis for old bats, just like ledger’s joker was. That’s my opinion. So…Let’s put a smile on that face.
[…] We posted these rumors a short while back (along with a Jolie Catwoman one), but now some news of this casting has come from the lips of Michael Caine in speaking with MTV: “They’ve already got them in mind,” said Caine, when asked who he’d like to see take up arms against the Caped Crusader. “It’s Johnny Depp as The Riddler. And The Penguin is Philip Seymour Hoffman. I read it in the paper.” […]
brian cox should play penguin
I see a lot of talk about how no one could be a better Joker than Ledger, but guess what people were saying from 1989 to about six months ago. Whether they bring back the Joker or not for the sequel people will say that this person will not be as good as the last person they make the actor bigger than the character. I think what makes people like Depp Ledger Or Nicholson such graet actors is that they don’t do that. They make it their own and people either like what they did or they don’t, thats that. Besides, Nolan has had a briliant eye for casting thus far I’m sure what ever the new movie holds in store he’ll find actors who will share his vision of the world in Gotham. But if you ask me I say bring back Ras Al Goul. I wanted to see more from Liam Neason.
First i would say that bringing the joker back is so tricky that it is almost impossible, not only because probably no one can do the role like heath ledger did, but also because it’s always destructive for a sequel when replacing an actor for a role…we all saw what happend with maggie gyllenhaal as rachel dawes, she did the role allright, but it was honestly annoying seeing rachel dawes beeing replaced and played by another actor atfter seeing katie holmes in the first movie..(katie holmes fit role pretty god i would say), better than maggie gyllenhaal. much as i would like to see the joker again, imagine what a replacement of the joker would do to a third movie! it could be very difficult, but maybe nolan can find a way to pull it off, who knows…he was in fact the person that casted heath ledger for the role as the joker. *RIP Heath Ledger*
now for possible villains for the sequal,it has to be a villain(s) that we could believe to be real…not some creature that ain’t human…remember the new batman is dark but not supernatural, nore should the villains be.
why so serious??????
I swear to GOD I will write some serious hate mail if they cast EITHER Depp or Jolie. Granted I think Depp is an amazing actor but WAY to mainstream, and a little overdone (personally) as for Jolie I’m just plain sick of seeing her. She’s all over the tabloids, she’s in like EVERY action movie now…
MY picks for the riddler and catwoman would be
David Tennant, who already has shown interest in the riddler, he has the build and I think he’s endearing like our dear Edward… however… southern born eddy… english actor… Hope he’s good with his accents.
Personally I don’t think there are many actors who could pull off this part as well as Jim Carrey who lets face it, was born to play that role (and was the only GOOD casted star in past batman films. Save Keaton and Phiefer.) but Depp sorry he just doesn’t have the right build… and I’ll always see Jack Sparrow no matter what he does.
Catwoman, though i think she’d ruin the whole flow of the Nolan-verse, should be played by Charliez Theron, who we all know is beautiful and she’s got skill and can play down and dirty, after monster i have no doubt she can play the very two sided villainess. Either her or I suppose i could think of someone else… just as long as it itsn’ jolie, Scarlett johanson, who face it is not anywhere near as badass as she needs to be, or anyone mainstream for that matter. Lets look under the radar for this one, this could be a great oportunity to make an unknowns big break, not to mention you need someone who is fresh and has a unique look.
As for Depp being a possible filler for Heath, all i can say is Good luck pal, he’s amazing and i’m all about depp but no one is going to be able to touch that performance. he was perfect THAT is the joker we all know, that was how he was ment to be. I pity any actor who has to take on that challenge because it’s gonna be HARD. It was seriously Heath’s crowning glory, the perfect big bang to go out on.
Personally i think if they’re going to bring back the joker they shouldn’t try to replace the actor in the same role, it’s not going to work in their favor. If anything i vote for a copycat killer. Someone who is sick enough to want to become what he sees. and face it, what’s more disturbing than someone whos like ‘that guys my hero’ about someone like the joker? (omg i realize i’m sick lol)
Those are my thoughts… personally.
let’s just end the idea of replacing of The Joker…when Heath Ledger died, The Joker died, and that’s it! that’s why i hope Nolan doesn’t bring The Joker back in…Batman cauhgt The Joker in the end, so let us just wonder about what happend to The Joker after he got caught, let’s keep it a riddle;) maybe he escaped, or maybe he’s locked up like Hannibal Lecter…given The Joker’s nature…who knows! but i must say..if Heath Ledger had been alive, they could have used The Joker like they used Hannibal Lecter inn Silence Of The Lambs, as a psycopat so sick and smart, that Batman would need him to get to other major criminals, like The Black Mask! then we could have seen some very amusing dialogs between batman and The Joker! it’s a shame Heath Ledger died!
now for possible actors as villains for the next movie…i am clear as the sky about who should play Catwoman; Rhona Mitra should play Catwoman (Selina Kyle)! she has the perfect mysterious look and is an upandcoming actor, and could have her big break in this role…cast Rhona Mitra!
now for The Riddler…David Tennant is a good alternative but i also think Ryan Phillippe could be a great choice for The Riddler as well! maybe Viggo Mortensen as The Riddler..? he has the face…
by the way, i agree that Depp and Jolie are used to much and that actors like this could be a wrong choice…
Both Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Bob Hoskins a great choice’s for The Penguin!
If Nolan want’s to use The Black Mask or Dr. Hugo Strange, he could or should be played by William Hurt…(Mr. Brooks, A History Of Violence). he is an original and unusual actor that this sequal needs!
now for you Fathom…a copycat killer is not a bad idea, but it should not be a copycat trying to be The Joker or a new Joker (forget it), the copycat killer should be Harley Quinn, because of her obsession of The Joker! and Harley Quinn Should be played by Helena Bonham Carter!
Talia Al Ghul..? could as rumoured be played by Megan Fox…
[…] We posted these rumors a short while back (along with a Jolie Catwoman one), but now some news of this casting has come from the lips of Michael Caine in speaking with MTV: “They’ve already got them in mind,” said Caine, when asked who he’d like to see take up arms against the Caped Crusader. “It’s Johnny Depp as The Riddler. And The Penguin is Philip Seymour Hoffman. I read it in the paper.” […]
IF you read past casting rumors of batman begins, youll notice that none of those rumors were true. there was even a backlash on the inter web from heath ledger being the joker. jolie, depp, hoffman will never happen. even if those actors wanted the part they have too much baggage especially depp, hes playing the mad hatter in burton’s movie.
I was just watching the Chisopher Titus special on cable, Now watching him on stage & then thinking about him as THE RIDDLER.… I just can’t see anyone else being better for the part. He’s got a animated way that can make you laugh, think & scare the crap out of you at the same time, & that is what made the RIDDLER a great villian. As for Jonny Depp & Jim Carry.…. well you can play the same character in 2 seperate types of movies. & Depp, well his eyes aren’t sinister enough to pull it off. This new series of Batman movies are more for adults & Carry is to much of a cartoon… Watch a Chistophor Titus show, or a stand up special & you’ll see it too as I have. I know he’s not a “BIG NAME” but hes the right guy, as for Catwomen, if they bring her into it then do it right, Jolie would look great in the leather, she can move like a cat, & she carries all that makes that role work. I mean Halie Barry srewed up Catwoman. Again you have to look at the DARK KNIGHT Comics. Now so far the movies match up great, So as long as Eddy Murphy isn’t the RIDDLER, the movie will do great. Even Matt Damon wouldn’t be a bad choice for the RIDDLER role. but still Titus just would own the spot of the Villian who can keep you guessing & on your toes. So if you don’t think Catwoman would be a good choice for the film, then you need to catch up on your comics. As long as they cast the right person & don’t over do it, IT WILL WORK.
The only way I could see them pulling off the Joker returning is if the film is animated like Gotham Knight was. That way Heath’s legacy of the Joker could be preserved, even superimposing his voice. Heath was just way too perfect for anyone else to take up the Joker.
Danny Elfman would’ve (or probably still would) made an awesome Joker and also Riddler.
I think there must be a role for Benecio Del Toro. I think he’d make a great riddler. Catwoman someone different how about Aishwara Rai, she is the most catlike woman ever.
BEFORE YOU read I AM NOT TRYING TO SOUND COCKY!
If I could audition I would make an awesome Joker and could get 600 signatures to prove it, at least ive been told by almost everyone I know.
Some unorthodox casting choices. Some of these people have been comic book/action movies before so they may seem a little corny to some, but these are just my thoughts.
The Riddler–
Willam Dafoe (my personal favorite choice. Did a great job with the Green Goblin)
Alan Rickman
Hugo Weaving
Kevin Spacey
Tim Roth
Catwoman–
please no Catwoman. Please no Lara Croft!
Rachel Weiz
Kate Beckinsale
Vera Farmiga
Victor Freeze–
Patrick Stewart. There is no other choice.
The Penguin–
Bob Hoskins. Didn’t think of it before reading any of this but great choice.
Ray Winstone
I just finished rewatching the dark knight the other night and I’ve noticed a couple of things about it, just the way it seems to be set up. The first thing I really want to point out is the fact that Harvey and the Joker pretty much DESTROYED the mob in Gotham in this movie. All of them are in jail or dead, leaving me to believe that this is setting things up for one hell of a new movie. Why is this? Because now that the rif-raf is gone the real freaks are going to come out of hiding and Batman is not just going to have to fight them, BUT he’s also gonna have to do it with the police on his tail. I actually expect to see a large cast of villains in this next movie instead of just one or two, because the joker has basically pushed them into action, and the only way they’ll beable to survive against batman is by teaming up. The villains I really see being in this movie are the riddler, the penguin, Hush, and Bane. I think it would be awesome to have Hush in the next movie, being that he, instead of just fighting Batman, fights Bruce Wayne who, I believe anyways, was completely overshadowed by his Batman persona in the dark knight. Have Hush assemble the TRUE villains of Gotham and the Dark Knight will almost definetly meet his match. Unfortunately, this also may bring in the need for, and it takes alot of effort to think of something as ludicris as this, a partner to help him. This is the one major hole I have in this theory, but IF, and this is a big if, they do walk this road, they better NOT bring in robin, batgirl, OR EVEN THINK of putting in Catwoman. If they do give him a partner, they HAVE to be his equal. The only two characters I can think of that would at least make this do-able would have to be either Night-wing or Red-Robin. I really want to see Red-Robin in this movie, because he is brutal, much like the Dark Knight is, although I think that they would end up going with night-wing to keep Batman from “crossing that line” beween hero and Villain.
Benicio Del Toro for tha Joker, because the joker never died its hard to leave him out, the riddler would be good, a blockbuster would be a joker movie. Show tha dark gruesome clown, which is everybody’s favorite criminal, would sell tickets but Heath Ledger played tha role of a lifetime. Halle Berry and Michelle Pfeifer played the catwoman role pretty good. Angelina would do well, but for the Batman with Christian Bale no. Everyone loved Batman begins and The Dark Knight because of the reality along with the Fantasy. Even the Riddler if chosen would have to be a Darker, realistic villian.
Both, Chris Nolan and Christian Bale have repeatedly said that they would not consider Robin in any of their movies as they are portraying a very young and new Batman. Similarly, Chris Nolan has a policy of casting less famous actors in the major roles (Bale wasn’t infamous at the time of his casting and certainly raised a few eyebrows). In terms of fame, only, Sir Michael Caine, Gary Oldman and Morgan Freeman were used but as aides of Bruce Wayne/Batman. That being said, Liam Neeson is a fairly big name to be used as a nemesis. But again in terms of screen time, Neeson was only present at the start and end of Batman Begins. Heath ledger seemed like a bizarre choice when casted as the Joker but Nolan got it spot on. I can’t see a Catwoman in the Nolan films because he is adamant that he does not want supernatural themes in his take on the franchise. The Riddler might be one that appears in the third but I wonder to what capacity. Perhaps in a role similar to Scarecrow in the first film, and focusing on another major criminal such as two-face. The producer of the movie did state that although Dent appeared to have been killed off at the end of the Dark Kinght to the audience, they tried to be vague about it and that he might possibly still be alive! Aaron Eckhart has also been quoted as saying that he would gladly return to reprise Dent/Two-face. I just can’t wait till we hear some concrete news!
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PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN WOULD BE A GOOD CHOICE FOR THE PENGUIN; KEVIN SPACEY WOULD MAKE AN AWESOME RIDDLER ;SO WOULD JOHNNY DEPP ‚DANIEL DAY LEWIS AND TIM ROTH. THERE A JUST TOO MANY ACTORS TO MENTION (GOOD THINKING MENTIONING WILLIAM DAFOE AND JOAQUIN PHEONIX! THEY WOULD MAKE AWESOME JOKERS! MAYBE DANIEL CRAIG???)HEY LOOK HEATH LEDGER IS DEAD. DON’T ACT LIKE NOLAN CAPTURED THE UNICORN ON THIS. PLAYING THE JOKER IS LIKE PLAYING FRANKENSTIEN IT’S ALL MAKE UP WITH A LITTLE ACTING ABILITY. ANYONE CAN PLAY THIS PART, HE SAID SO HIMSELF IN AN INTERVIEW. NOT THAT HEATH LEDGER SUCKED OR ANYTHING ;HE WAS AWESOME IN THIS. I’M JUST SAYING IF HIS DEATH HADN’T BEEN SO EXPLOITED ‘DARK KNIGHT’ WOULD BE JUST ANOTHER BATMAN MOVIES. BRANDON LEE (BRUCE LEE’S SON) WAS GIVEN THE SAME KIND OF PUBLICITY WHEN HE WAS KILLED ON THE SET OF ‘THE CROW’(BACK IN THE 1990’S);WITH 2 MORE SEQUELS AFTER IT (THE CROW 2 CITY OF ANGELS-THE CROW 3) THE POINT IS CREDIT IS OFTEN WHERE IT ISN’T DUE…
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