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Michael Caine Reveals the Truth About the Depp/Hoffman Casting Rumors

Remember a while back when Michael Caine said Johnny Depp and Philip Seymour Hoffman would be playing The Riddler and the Penguin in Christopher Nolan’s next Batman movie? Now veteran Alfred actor Michael Caine sheds some light on all the hubub...
Hoffman himself denied the casting. Depp said it'd "Be a fun gigg"

Currently promoting his new film “Is Anybody There?” Caine sat down for a chat with MTV Movies Editor Joshua Horowitz about the Depp/Hoffman rumor chaos.



“I read it in the newspaper and then I got told off,” Caine told MTV News. “It was in the newspaper in Toronto about The Riddler and all that, and I thought, ‘Well, they announced it.’ And then I met this reporter who asked me about it, and the sh– hit the fan.”

In a recent interview with Caine elsewhere seemed to reiterate his prediction that Riddler would appear in the next Batman film, the veteran actor told MTV News that he actually knows very little about Nolan’s plans for the much-anticipated sequel to “The Dark Knight” — and anything reported otherwise has been misinterpreted.

“I don’t have anything,” said Caine. “I still don’t have anything. The only thing I know is [Christopher Nolan] is doing another movie anyway, so it’s not going to be soon.”

The Riddler is an onteresting character, but he is one of those that could go either way. It could be a great film, or it could be Schumaker's revenge.

Personally I'd like to see a less know villain as the focus for the movie. A less known villain could be interpreted in unique ways, making a good story.

I recently wrote a fan fic featureing a lesser known character as the main villain. See the link below to read it.
16 Yes
1 No
THEHAWK
4/10/2009
MTV

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52 Comments

This is the link to the story I wrote.

http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/OnlyZodKnowsWhy/news/?a=6927

If you want to read it I'd like to know what you all think, leave a comment or something.

Thanks

HAWK out
THEHAWK - 4/10/2009, 5:30 PM
I still think that Deadshot should be the villain in the next Batman movie. With Nolan at the controls it could make for a great story and great movie. That's my vote, Deadshot!
jttrainer45 - 4/10/2009, 8:29 PM
I personally feel hawk should write for dc...
joslezio85 - 4/11/2009, 12:11 AM
Thanks man, always nice to hear a compliment.
THEHAWK - 4/11/2009, 7:17 AM
I read your story THEHAWK. it was good. what if Zaz kills alfred! would it be too much? nevertheless, I have another perspective. I've been thinking about a new trend in Gotham, illegal fights broadcasted by internet. Main attraction: Killer Croc, a gigiantic man with a severe skin condition. Then, the fights get a new member from Brazil, Vene, who has been also hired to kill TDK. during a fight, TDK interferes and got injured. the rest of the story I havent developed it yet!
Smith1984 - 4/11/2009, 12:43 PM
Yep, ive always said DEADSHOT!!! Though i think its fits even more with BATMAN on the run! Though it should be a small part for DEADSHOT coz he can spin off in THE SUICIDE SQUAD movie!!! (An that will do nothing but create buzz for that movie). Main villain DEATHSTROKE, me thinks also BLACK MASK involved! Come on, new villains not RIDDLER, CATWOMAN, PENGUIN etc, geez. There's such a huge amount of BAT VILLAIN'S untouched! An we never need a ROBIN lol! Everyone knows ROBINS story anyway, just stick him in a TEEN TITANS movie that spins a NIGHTWING movie!!!
LEEE777 - 4/11/2009, 1:18 PM
Oh yeah, THE HAWK i read ya story, its quite gripping!!! Congrats, you really should write for DC! Like the Kate 'catwoman' Beckinsale! Yep she actually could pull it off! Not many but she soooo would!!! I still think DEATHROKE DEADSHOT and BLACK MASK should get involved! Heh heh! Okay im out, happy Easter guys!!!
LEEE777 - 4/11/2009, 1:29 PM
Thanks guys, glad you liked the story. I just wanted to see a different character in a story for once. And I thought Calendar man has never been taken seriously, and.. I decided to give him a story.
THEHAWK - 4/11/2009, 2:56 PM
mmm...im not sure who i would want as the next villain. im not a huge batman fan (i dont read the comics) but the dark knight was one of the best films iv ever seen in comparison to batman begins which i found boring. the penquin and riddler would be great as well as killer croc.

however, i find it hard to care about batman right now with iron man 2, captain america and thor (as well as the avengers) coming in the next few years...!!!
joshw24 - 4/11/2009, 4:12 PM
I would love to see Nolan take on Black Mask.
nerosday - 4/11/2009, 4:18 PM
Batman: The Long Halloween Had A Serious Take On The Calendar Man,It Was A Brief Cameo Like Appearance Though
greenlanternslight - 4/11/2009, 5:20 PM
I think Deathstroke or The Riddler would be good.
Superman4 - 4/11/2009, 5:38 PM
riddler,penguin,killer croc,firefly,deadshot all nice and realistic all able to be adapted in a nolan-esque way. but my fream will be if they ever did clayface. like he was on the animated show. his first teo-parter origin is awesome and would look amazing with the cgi tech they got now. but "realistically"

riddler,penguin,catwoman those are the most like candids
dellamorte1872 - 4/11/2009, 6:00 PM
I am holding on to the hope that it would be Hoffman as Penguin (resentfully called as such by media pundits because he's fat, waddles when he walks, and is the mob's manchurian candidate). Deadshot (or better would be Deathstroke.)could be the hired gun by the mob to take out The Bat. That is what I think could work in continuity with what has been done thus far.
Phinehas - 4/11/2009, 6:19 PM
I like Hoffman, but he would be so... underused as Penguin. His talents would be better served as someone like Prof. Strange, who definately needs to be in a movie.

@greenlantern

I liked Long Haloween's interpretation of Calendar Man. It gave him a Lecter like quality. My version of Julian Calendar Man was a combination of Travis Bickle (taxi Driver), Hannibal Lecter, Norman Bates, and Paul Kersey (Death Wish)

@ Superman4
Deathstroke is by far one of my favorite characters of all time, right up there with Bane and Gwen Stacey (GWEN STACY MUST DIE!) He is the deadliest human combatant in the DC universe, Shaman will say Shiva but Deathstroke is the superior combatant. But unless Robin is introduced, I doubt we will see him. He is a Teen Titan foe.

I thought about including him in a future story, but he isn't a Bat villain.

HAWK out.
THEHAWK - 4/11/2009, 6:34 PM
Uhhh...John Rhys Davies? Let's see...Who is a good and funny sarcastic waddly fat guy??
Phinehas - 4/11/2009, 6:45 PM
I like the idea of Alfred Molina as Penguin.
THEHAWK - 4/11/2009, 6:54 PM
I wouldn't really care which batman villian they use as long as there is a thrid batman made by nolan i am good and i might be the only one but i want to see a nightwing movie
dogchasingcars - 4/11/2009, 6:55 PM
I'd like Nightwing as well, but he needs to be in a Bat movie and maybe a Titans flick as well.

@Phinehas
I'd like to see a lesser known villain in the next movie, someone who is unfamiliar. Thats why I wrote my story, check it out let me know what you think.

http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/OnlyZodKnowsWhy/news/?a=6927
THEHAWK - 4/11/2009, 7:00 PM
Depp should still be riddler

TheSoulEater - 4/11/2009, 9:43 PM
I agree with you HAWK but to bad the professional actor said he would rather be tied up then do a batman movie with robin
dogchasingcars - 4/11/2009, 9:44 PM
ok, I commented on your story, Hawk!
Phinehas - 4/11/2009, 11:02 PM
I'm sorry guys. I still dont see Killer Croc. I can see Riddler, but i dont see it being fun. The only thing i can see is Catwoman.

Of course. We are missing the point, now arent we?

I just thought of this. What if they cast somebody else as Joker? I mean, the story MUST go on. Ledger is my idol, and nobody can replace him, but who is to say that they wont cast somebody else? I mean, its kind of sad to think that Nolan will screw up as bad as Shumaker. Who's REALLY to say that Harvey aint coming back?
Jib7z - 4/11/2009, 11:40 PM
Btw. THEHAWK.

Dick Grayson is and will always be the greatest superhero in my mind. I would LOVE to see him in a Titan flik, or if they made a Robin and/or Nightwing movie, it'd be AMAZING.

Of course, if you've been keeping up with R.I.P, it is seeming pretty clear that Dick is now going to be Batman. At least, that's what i have been able to peice together, but naturally i'm biased.
Jib7z - 4/11/2009, 11:46 PM
If The Joker was so radically different and better than Burton's, I really don't see how the Riddler in a Nolan film could possibly be "Schumacher's Revenge."
slimybug - 4/12/2009, 8:02 AM
Slimy he is one of those character that could easily come across as campy. I don't know why but he easily can, I know for a fact that his theme is hard to translate without coming across as campy.
THEHAWK - 4/12/2009, 8:26 AM
THEHAWK @ Ive been thinking alot more about it, an i reckon CALENDAR MAN would be a great addition to the BAT Universe on film!!! He would be perfect for NOLAN-VERSE!! I really hope we don't get PENGUIN, need new fresh villains! Happy Easter! ; )
LEEE777 - 4/12/2009, 11:15 AM
Thanks LEEE
THEHAWK - 4/12/2009, 11:18 AM
penguin + riddler + catwoman as a suporting new love interest its obvious. think bankabilty on characters, kids know all 3 of them over a CALENDAR MAN OR BLACK MASK
dellamorte1872 - 4/12/2009, 11:45 AM
Well delemorte, Ras aL Ghul and Scarecrow were not that well know to kids unfamiliar with the comics and look what happened they got their own movie
THEHAWK - 4/12/2009, 12:05 PM
I pretty much hate Riddler and Penguin! Always have. Catwoman is who im hoping for..and Deadshot would be class too.
Rorschach01 - 4/12/2009, 3:13 PM
You know I was wacthing JLU last night and I was thinking why not have the Clock King in the next batman movie How cool would he be with the Riddler.
Supermike - 4/12/2009, 6:18 PM
I know what you mean supermike, I was going to use him in the story I wrote, but he is unfortunately a Green Arrow villain. But he should have been a Batman villain, he fits in with the Bats style of foes better than Arrow. But I agree with your idea.
THEHAWK - 4/12/2009, 7:43 PM
CK was awesome in the animated series 1st episode he had. i read the entire green lantern volume 3 i think idk but he wasnt in there. and penguin i never liked either but he serves two roles, he runs the mob,freakish. riddler is needed and if done like long halloween:talking to himself, muttering QUESTION BLAH BLAH ANSWER BLAH BLAH. that would be creepy as hell. deadshot wont be seen i say CATWOMAN+RIDDLER. i'd prefer penguin to catwoman i say bring in vicky vale instead but CATWOMAN is in BY1 so she is a definite
dellamorte1872 - 4/12/2009, 11:21 PM
YW HAWK!!! dellamorte??? Vicky Vale??? Noooo! Leave her in the BURTON movie! Id love to see a tiny cameo of THE QUESTION in BATS 3 though, like 20 to 30 seconds, hmmm. People will go, who's he??
LEEE777 - 4/13/2009, 6:06 AM
Green arrow and batman share the clock king he was batman villain too but he got bored with beating batman all the time he went to star city
Supermike - 4/13/2009, 6:16 AM
someone eles I would like to see appear is Vicky Vale and Heavry Buke
Supermike - 4/13/2009, 7:00 AM
has anyone read the g.n. by Brian Azzarello "Joker" if not go read it now. Then get back with me on the "campy-ness" of this Riddler. Depp could easily portray this version to perfection. And sorry but Vicky Vale was a poor decision to add a female character to Burton's film as it would be to add her into Nolan's film. Also Catwoman, come on people she is used up. Hale Berry's Catwoman killed the idea of her being an accecpted on film bat-villan. Here is an idea providing he could hack up the acting chops a bit Mark Paul Glosslar, thats right Zack Morris, could potentially pull off the joker take a look at this picture http://blogs.usaweekend.com/whos_news/images/2008/06/23/mark_paul_gosselaar.jpg now give the guy credit before you go ripping on him as Zack but the guy can act and he does resemble the late Heath Ledger. Look in the comics characters are often drawn differently due to artist interpretation, films are the same if you have to change up actors due to whatever reason you go on with the story and I really think there is so much more to Nolan's Joker it would be a shame not to allow this character to be in his next film. Thanks for the greatest comicbook website ever.
JohnnyTHM - 4/13/2009, 7:27 AM
IDK im sure mark does not want to play a brokeback Joker
Supermike - 4/13/2009, 8:15 AM
There is a concern on here that the Riddler may be a bit campy, but i see Nolan taking the Riddler down a route where the riddles are done like the murders in the movie Seven were done. I see this riddler being a dark psychopath, not a physical adversary for Batman in terms of fighting but driven by a revenge motive, not sure what that would be yet though
Moltenman - 4/13/2009, 9:23 AM
No Joker = Sub Par Movie
Warpath27 - 4/13/2009, 9:33 AM
SUPERMIKE @ You want us to bite don't ya lol!!!! Heh heh. : D
LEEE777 - 4/13/2009, 2:24 PM
I think if Nolan really wants to top TDK, he should either introduce Bain and break the Caped Crusader's back in an epic confrontation, or if he really wants a challenge, he should adapt the Hush story line to film. That could get crazy.

Not gonna lie, I'd really like to see Ivy, too.
hushelliot061 - 4/13/2009, 8:30 PM
Ivy is a cool character, I don't know how they could have messed her upthat bad. I mean what were they on???
THEHAWK - 4/15/2009, 6:02 AM
i think hush would be far too complicated to fit into anything less than 5 hours. doing a retake on bain would make a badass movie. i think christian bale has made a terrible batman anyway i'd love to see bain break him in half. turn that annoying voice off. where'd he get that from anyway? no batman has ever sounded like that. that voice would've gotten a pretty jagged dialog bubble. rob snieder would make a better batman
worldbreaker - 4/16/2009, 12:37 PM
Black Mask as a mysterious crime boss piecing together Gotham's underworld in the wake of the Joker's destruction and causes wide-spread violence and oppression forcing Batman to act.
Riddler as the master detective hunting down Batman on behalf of the Gotham PD forcing Batman to not act lest he be unmasked and arrested.
Catwoman as a lone danger-junkie "love interest" rogue that flirts and cuts deals with all sides.

The story would pit Batman between three opposing forces forcing him to choose who he wants to be, what he wants to live for and what he's willing to risk to meet his ultimate goal.
Hobgoblyn - 4/17/2009, 2:17 AM
My idea: Title-Gotham Nights

Batman has left Gotham in search of the world's most wanted criminal - The Penguin. The beginning shows batman jumping out of a plane over Africa with the Bat Jet; he uses the small jet to get to the Penguin who is meeting/dealing with an African drug lord (cool action scene with explosions and the Bat Jet dealing some damage). Batman captures him and Alfred picks them up in a helo.

Batman returns to gotham; he fires Roman Sionis, who had been involved in corruption with one of Wayne Ent.'s businesses. Sionis wants revenge and becomes Black Mask. Black Mask wants to destroy Wayne Enterprise and Bruce.

Black mask attacks a fund raiser held by Bruce. The Black Mask fails to kill Bruce, but instead kills most of the Grayson family, who is competing at a gymnastics tournament held along with the fund raiser. Dick Grayson is the only survivor.

Bruce adopts Dick Grayson (the Grayson family is old friends with the Waynes). Bruce encourages Dick to go to college and pursue his dreams of becoming a gymnstic champion.

Dick finds out about Batman. He wants in, but bruce is unwilling. Bruce allows Dick to help him only if he is not in it for revenge; Dick agrees. Bruce trains/prepares Dick to help him; they become very close.

Dick (Robin) doesn't wear a costume. Instead, he provides surveilance and gathers intel for Batman.

Bruce finds out Penguine is free again. The Penguine goes to Gotham to set up a trap to kill Batman. Penguine enlists the help of the Black Mask, who says he will help him only if he (Penguine) helps him kill Bruce Wayne.

Black Mask and Penguine set a trap for Batman. They hold Bruce Wayne and others captive at another one of Bruce's fund raisers or something.

Dick wears the Batsuit and attempts to save Bruce's life, but when he arrives he is surrounded and gunned down. SWAT arrive, and Bruce runs after a fleeing Black Mask. Bruce pretty much kicks his butt, and he is arrested. Bruce goes to find the dying Batman(Dick), and meets with Gordon, who tells him that Batman is being transported in one of his SWAT trucks to a hospital.

Bruce follows the truck, and it is attacked by the Penguine. Bruce's car is shot up and wrecked, and he is hurt. He sees the Penguine shoot Dick in the head. The Penguine thinks that he killed Batman. Bruce is very sad; Alfred shows up, and they take Dick to Wayne Mannor.

Bruce is pissed, and he goes after the Penguine once and for all.

In the end Bruce secretly burries Dick in the Grave Yard at Wayne Mannor next to his parents. He also burries the Batsuit, vowing never to be Batman ever again because of all the harm it has brought to the people he cared about.

The end.

This is just a summary, but it kind of shows Bruce's affection for Dick Grayson and what he meant to Bruce. It would also be a cool scene to see Dick commenting about how he thinks the name "Batman" is kind of lame, and instead, he proposes that Bruce use the name "Nightwing."
Macksimus - 4/19/2009, 5:07 AM
@Macksimus
Wow. Really? No Robin. No Nightwing. Just a dead Dick Grayson and the end of Batman. What would that even accomplish? I'm not trying to be a dick but if you're going to bring in the Grayson, you're going to need Robin or Nightwing.
pietro - 4/19/2009, 4:19 PM
So it's pretty much confirmed that Penguin and Black Mask should be the villains in the next movie?

I know this sounds kind of premature of me beign that I'm sort of new to this site, but I'm writing a fanfic, and I just want to know... what do you guys want to see?
bobbyjones6969 - 4/20/2009, 12:14 PM
Catwoman, Azreal, Harley Quinn (just for giggles), and Riddler, are all fairly viable characters because of their ultimate normalcy. Killer Croc and Clayface are too unrealistic. I think Penguin is really annoying. Nobody cares about the Robin story. Nightwing isn't really an enemy.

I thought it was clear from the ending of DK that the third movie was supposed to be Batman versus Joker. Their battle only really began in DK and it seemed like most of the focus of the movie was Harvey Dent and Rachel Dawes. It seemed like a setup for a bigger Joker/Batman movie.
sethasa - 4/22/2009, 2:17 PM
Harley Quinn just for giggles? I think if Harley were done right she could be just as menacing as the joker. I mean the Jokers in Arkum now so whos to say a certain psychiatrist isn't about to be completely twisted.
Catwoman has to be done differently. Since the next film i believe is going to be more about Gotham i think they should skip the selfish catwoman and just have her as the protector of the eastside.
What ever they do i feel Nolan will find different ways to portrey any characters he chooses to use. I mean i hated the news when i heard Ledger was playing the Joker but then when i saw it i was blown away.
I have complete faith in Nolan.
pjwitch - 6/22/2009, 3:14 PM
Bring Quinn to the Screens!!! Pick-up Hillary Swank for the role (she'd pwn the movie)! Put Hillary on Harley!
11viking11 - 7/23/2009, 6:22 AM

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