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

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...

By THEHAWK - Apr 10, 2009 05:04 PM EST
Filed Under: The Dark Knight Rises
Source: MTV

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.
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THEHAWK
THEHAWK - 4/10/2009, 5:30 PM
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
jttrainer45
jttrainer45 - 4/10/2009, 8:29 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!
Joslezio85
Joslezio85 - 4/11/2009, 12:11 AM
I personally feel hawk should write for dc...
THEHAWK
THEHAWK - 4/11/2009, 7:17 AM
Thanks man, always nice to hear a compliment.
Smith1984
Smith1984 - 4/11/2009, 12:43 PM
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!
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 4/11/2009, 1:18 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
LEEE777 - 4/11/2009, 1:29 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!!!
THEHAWK
THEHAWK - 4/11/2009, 2:56 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.
JoshWilding
JoshWilding - 4/11/2009, 4:12 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...!!!
NERO
NERO - 4/11/2009, 4:18 PM
I would love to see Nolan take on Black Mask.
greenlanternslight
greenlanternslight - 4/11/2009, 5:20 PM
Batman: The Long Halloween Had A Serious Take On The Calendar Man,It Was A Brief Cameo Like Appearance Though
Superman4
Superman4 - 4/11/2009, 5:38 PM
I think Deathstroke or The Riddler would be good.
Phinehas
Phinehas - 4/11/2009, 6:19 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.
THEHAWK
THEHAWK - 4/11/2009, 6:34 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.
Phinehas
Phinehas - 4/11/2009, 6:45 PM
Uhhh...John Rhys Davies? Let's see...Who is a good and funny sarcastic waddly fat guy??
THEHAWK
THEHAWK - 4/11/2009, 6:54 PM
I like the idea of Alfred Molina as Penguin.
dogchasingcars
dogchasingcars - 4/11/2009, 6:55 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
THEHAWK
THEHAWK - 4/11/2009, 7:00 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
TheSoulEater
TheSoulEater - 4/11/2009, 9:43 PM
Depp should still be riddler

dogchasingcars
dogchasingcars - 4/11/2009, 9:44 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
Phinehas
Phinehas - 4/11/2009, 11:02 PM
ok, I commented on your story, Hawk!
Jib7z
Jib7z - 4/11/2009, 11:40 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
Jib7z - 4/11/2009, 11:46 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.
slimybug
slimybug - 4/12/2009, 8:02 AM
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."
THEHAWK
THEHAWK - 4/12/2009, 8:26 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.
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 4/12/2009, 11:15 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! ; )
THEHAWK
THEHAWK - 4/12/2009, 11:18 AM
Thanks LEEE
THEHAWK
THEHAWK - 4/12/2009, 12:05 PM
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
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 4/12/2009, 3:13 PM
I pretty much hate Riddler and Penguin! Always have. Catwoman is who im hoping for..and Deadshot would be class too.
Supermike
Supermike - 4/12/2009, 6:18 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.
THEHAWK
THEHAWK - 4/12/2009, 7:43 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.
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 4/13/2009, 6:06 AM
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??
Supermike
Supermike - 4/13/2009, 6:16 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
Supermike - 4/13/2009, 7:00 AM
someone eles I would like to see appear is Vicky Vale and Heavry Buke
JohnnyTHM
JohnnyTHM - 4/13/2009, 7:27 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.
Supermike
Supermike - 4/13/2009, 8:15 AM
IDK im sure mark does not want to play a brokeback Joker
Moltenman
Moltenman - 4/13/2009, 9:23 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
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