There has been just too many rumors surrounding Mr. Edward Nygma aka The Riddler to dismiss it as just that; rumours so it seems concreted on that the Riddler will feature at least in Batman 3. So what sort of Riddler can we expect in Batman in the serious real world tone Nolan has created. Certainly nothing along the lines of purple faced villains and green spandex that is more reminiscent of the Joker than the Riddler film at the very least.
My view on the Riddler depends on the actor playing the role. Nolan knows who his key players are when it comes to films and who he wants to play them. He will write a role for a person who he has in mind and because he is such respect, they rarely turn him down.
My first take on the Riddler that he may go for is a really messed up obsessed Riddler, the type that's house is literally covered in newspaper articles surrounding Batman. Every wall space is filled with newspaper clippings leading to Batman's identity, activities etc. This is a psychologically damaged Riddler. The actor in mind; Robin Williams. He has missed out on roles in the past for Batman films but I think he would absolutely own the Riddler with this take. He can go from the serious obsessed to the scarely maniac obsessed in a heart beat. His performce in "One Hour Photo" is what I have in mind. Absolutely amazing performace and would definately bring something else to the Batman films opening it up to a wider audience meaning a $1 billion revenue seems likely.
The other take on the Riddler I can picture is not so much a "crazy obsessed man" but more an obsessed suave and incredibly clever man. They still have newspaper on the wall but not on every wall, more a specific wall and use a charade to hide his obsessedness behind much like Bruce Wayne hides behind his partyboy charade. The actor in mind for this role, Chris Nolan's new playmate; Leonardo Di Caprio. Such a diverse actor would be able to easily pull this off and also coming with such a big name would also attract people to come and watch the film alongside Bale. This Riddler is more harmful in the sense that he is doing it on purpose to prove a point, where Robin Williams' Riddler is more crazy and feels that he "needs" to do it.
Very opposite and contrasting sides of a very dynamic coin. They are the two ideas I can see being pitched for the take on the Riddler. Either one would work well with Nolan in charge and would add to the film. My prefered choice. Robin Williams' Riddler would be more scarry and would add that scary psychological thriller element to the film that would get "non action" fans coming to see how that works against the world of action that Batman brings. It would be a very unique film and if worked out well; which is will be will definately equal The Dark Knight's success if not surpass it.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.