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This Week’s Batman Rumor: PSH as The Penguin
Idle Speculation / Dustin Rowles

Trade News | September 9, 2008 | Comments (50)

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Because I’m willing to believe anything right now that disproves rumors that Cher might play Catwoman, I’m all over more speculation that Johnny Depp may play The Riddler and that The Penguin may make an appearance in a future film as well. And these rumors were fueled by Michael Caine, an actual cast member, so they’ve got to be true, right? Granted, he has absolutely no control over the script, or casting, nor does he erase the fact that neither Christian Bale nor Christopher Nolan have been signed. Still, let’s imagine in our minds his British accent delivering this nugget, from an interview with MTV at the Toronto Film Festival:

“When Christopher [Nolan] said we were going to do ‘The Dark Knight’ next, I didn’t what that meant in Batman terms,” related Caine, who plays Bruce Wayne’s loyal butler, Alfred Pennyworth. “I said, ‘What’s the story?’ and he said The Joker. I said, ‘Oh, s-t! How are you going to top Jack [Nicholson]?’ He said, ‘Well, I’ve cast Heath Ledger. And I went ‘Ha! I couldn’t top Jack, but if anyone could, maybe Heath could.’ And he did.

“I was with [a Warner Bros.] executive and I said, ‘Are we going to make another one?’ They said yeah. I said, ‘How the hell are we going to top Heath? And he says ‘I’ll tell you how you top Heath — Johnny Depp as The Riddler and Philip Seymour Hoffman as The Penguin.’ I said, ‘S-t, they’ve done it again!’” [Laughs]

It’s the sort of quote that almost suggests that a doddering old Caine is having a laugh at some poor interviewer’s expense, but it’s a nice idea, all the same. I don’t really buy Depp as The Riddler — he’s still got the stink of Disney on him — but Philip Seymour Hoffman as The Penguin I can totally envision, particularly after his evil fucking turn in Mission Impossible III. Like that movie or not, you gotta concede, PSH was killer.


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Comments

AHA! I knew some mischief was afoot!(jM's afoot count: 2 whoo!) Last night I mistakenly wandered into this Dark Night rumors thread only to find Dustin, a Ryan Reynolds poster, a rubber ducky, and a link to The Eloquent Forum. That's right, I sleuthed it. I'll be expecting my decoder ring in the mail.

P.S.: Dustin, I'm not sure if what I saw you doing last night is illegal or not(probably just in the Bible belt), but if it isn't, I think you're sitting on a goldmine. I've never seen anything so amazingly terrible, yet I couldn't look away. You're quite limber, Sir.

Posted by: jM at September 9, 2008 10:19 AM

I eagerly clicked the link to "The Eloquent Forum" last night and got nothing. That white 404 screen broke my bitter heart.

Posted by: Jerce at September 9, 2008 10:24 AM

Sorry guys. The Eloquent Forum was a misguided idea. A failure. Too confusing. Too convoluted. And sorry about that last night, jM. I didn't realize anyone was watching. *shame* -- DR

Posted by: Dustin Rowles at September 9, 2008 10:28 AM

I was wondering what happened with the Forum! I thought I had finally lost it.

Posted by: Kolby at September 9, 2008 10:30 AM

Sorry guys. The Eloquent Forum was a misguided idea. A failure. Too confusing. Too convoluted.

Bless your hearts. These are noble experiments. Keep tinkering; we'll stay with you.

Posted by: Jerce at September 9, 2008 10:32 AM

I think PSH would be great as the Penguin.

They should cast that guy who plays Marty McFly's father to play the Riddler.

Posted by: Stella at September 9, 2008 10:32 AM

Stella - Crispin Glover? That could actually work.

Posted by: Kolby at September 9, 2008 10:42 AM

Maybe they could put Mickey Rourke in it somewhere. They'd save a fortune on character makeup...

Posted by: Tarn at September 9, 2008 10:45 AM

Nooooo, David Tennant David Tennant David Tennant! If I keep saying it, it'll become true.

Posted by: Optimus Rhyme at September 9, 2008 10:45 AM

I still like Bob Hoskins as the Penguin.

Posted by: insertclevernamehere at September 9, 2008 10:47 AM

They should cast that guy who plays Marty McFly's father to play the Riddler.

He was cast in McG's Charlie's Angels as the creepy thin man who liked to sniff hair and didn't speak at all.

Shit, why do I know that????

Wasn't there a Mr. Reese in TDK? Is there any possibility he might play the Riddler or is it just a coincidence that "Mr. Reese" sounds just like Mysteries? Wasn't the Riddler's name Edward Nygma?

Has all this Batman trivia made up for the Charlie's Angels bit I mentioned?

Posted by: Sofía at September 9, 2008 10:48 AM

I still like Bob Hoskins as the Penguin.

If it's a tossup between him and Hoffman, then nobody loses. I like Crispin Glover as The Riddler, too. And I think IF they put Catwoman in the next film, Eva Green would be a damn fine choice.

Posted by: jM at September 9, 2008 10:54 AM

What's wrong with Depp as the Riddler? I think he could do it. And Hoffman would make a great Penguin, I just don't know how they'll approach the character. The Dark Knight was great, but Batman Begins sucked all the appeal out of the Scarecrow.

Posted by: Lucas at September 9, 2008 10:57 AM

And I think IF they put Catwoman in the next film, Eva Green would be a damn fine choice.

As long as it's not Eva Mendes (who I maintain is a man) we're cool.

And much as I love Johnny Depp, for pure creep factor, I think Crispin Glover would be great. Has Johnny EVER played a villain? (Sweeney Todd does not count)

Posted by: Ava at September 9, 2008 11:02 AM

You know what? I'm just going to come out and say it: FUCK Crispin Glover.

Yeah that's right. I know he was in Back to the Future. Pretty much the best movie I've ever seen ever, no doubt about it. But somewhere along the line we all got the idea that we had to suck Crispin's crazy-ass D despite the fact that, barring one popcorn fantasy flick where he rode Michael J. Fox's coattails, he's never done anything to deserve it. Ever. Here's the straight skinny. Crispin Glover is batshit fucking Nuts with capital N. (Proof: Every Crispin Glover interview ever.)

Granted, if you can capture crazy on film and give it some modicum of direction, it can work out. Sometimes. (Proof: Gary Busey.) Crispin did well as a nerdy underachieving douche from the fifties, but that's about it.

Posted by: Roaddog at September 9, 2008 11:04 AM

And Bob Hoskins would be awesome. But he's really similar to Danny DeVito and it seems Nolan's been going out of his way to cast people you wouldn't necessarily expect, so that sorta excludes him.

Maybe he'll cast Ben Stiller.

Posted by: Ava at September 9, 2008 11:04 AM

oh, Eva Green as Catwoman! I love that idea. She is so beautiful, and I can completely see her as a villain like that. Also, I third the Crispin Glover/Riddler option. I think he would be more than satisfactory in that capacity. Although I think if Johnny Depp did it right, he could definitely pull it off.

PSH Penguin? I'm not sure how I feel about that one. He is a fine actor, I just feel like it would be less "Oooh the Penguin" than it will be "Ooooh PSH as the Penguin", which did occur with the whole Heath Ledger/Joker thing and took a little away from it, in my opinion. In other words, stunt casting.

on the other hand, JDepp or Glover would also be stunt casting, so... moot point, I suppose.

Posted by: Anna von Beaverplatz at September 9, 2008 11:07 AM

PSH would kick ass as the Penguin! And I think JD could pull off the Riddler, but I may just spontaneously combust if he and the Bale are in two movies together in the same decade. (even though they don't share much screen time in Public Enemies) That is just too much for one woman to handle!!!!

Posted by: Pudenda at September 9, 2008 11:09 AM

Dustin: Thanks for getting rid of the forum. I give you props for trying something different, but I liked the old way just fine.

Optimus Rhyme: As much as I love David Tennant, I do not want to see that man in a spandex body suit with question marks all over it. It would be a Dr. Who nightmare.

Posted by: BWeaves at September 9, 2008 11:12 AM

Roaddog,

a) Go watch River's Edge.
b) There's nothing wrong with "bat-shit fucking Nuts" as long as no one gets hurt. I'm all for full-on crazies; life would be boring without them. It's when they try to suck others in and/or take over the world that you have a problem.

Posted by: Three-nineteen at September 9, 2008 11:14 AM

I nominate Vincent Gallo for the Riddler part. He'd deny Gotham his beautiful riddles out of spite, have Cat Woman blow him, make his own costume, direct his own scenes, play Batman, and appear in a clip after the end credits saying: "I sure do like the color brown. And pink. Pink and brown. If I had to choose, pink would lose" while his own music is playing in the background. Shine that Oscar, Academy.

Posted by: Sofía at September 9, 2008 11:18 AM

Maybe he'll cast Ben Stiller.

Are you crazy? Whatever happens, DON'T say that into a mirror five times. Excuse me, I'm going to go cower under my blankie.

Posted by: jM at September 9, 2008 11:21 AM

I'll watch River's Edge, but if Crispin Glover still sucks, I'm sticking to my guns. Good movie or not.

Posted by: Roaddog at September 9, 2008 11:27 AM

Sorry guys. The Eloquent Forum was a misguided idea. A failure. Too confusing. Too convoluted.

For reals? Its gone? All this back-and-forth change, kind of wishy-washy if you ask me. Careful Dustin, soon "Swift Boat Veterans for Perez Hilton" will start running attack ads against you.

Posted by: Brian at September 9, 2008 11:28 AM

Three-nineteen: You beat me to the punch. That said, I don't know that Crispin G. would make such a great Riddler in the Nolanverse...or that he'd even be interested.

And Roaddog, I think you'd like River's Edge even if you don't care for Glover. It's a great story with a lot of good performances.

Sofia: I think you deserve to win a shirt off that post.

Posted by: Jerce at September 9, 2008 11:36 AM

Totally off topic, but you guys have to click on The Impulsive Buy link on the right and read about the Herbal toothpaste. No shit! It looks like real shit, and the ad is funny wierd.

Posted by: BWeaves at September 9, 2008 11:46 AM

Are you crazy? Whatever happens, DON'T say that into a mirror five times. Excuse me, I'm going to go cower under my blankie.

I said it completely mocking and not serious, but I think one of Nolan's strengths is that he's picking people you wouldn't normally pick to do parts and they're actually doing very well (I refuse to acknowledge Katie Holmes). So maybe Ben Stiller IS a dramatic acting genius who's as yet untapped.

I'm just fuckin' with you, it'd be the end of the world. *nods*

Posted by: Ava at September 9, 2008 12:04 PM

I'm all in for Depp and Hoffman, but please no literal Penguin costume. Hoffman is a fantastic villain without having to be made up as a little fat bird.

Maybe they could put Mickey Rourke in it somewhere.
I think Mickey is on the road to a great comeback. He's getting raves for The Wrestler.

Posted by: Cindy at September 9, 2008 12:51 PM

QUIET ALL OF YOU...QUIET QUIET!!! aAAHHH SHADDUP!


Angelina Jolie as Catwoman, no other villains need apply.

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at September 9, 2008 12:53 PM

BSlim is correct.

Fuck all y'all naysayers. NO ONE but Angelina will do as the Catwoman.


The idea of anyone else is beyond absurd.

Posted by: Maryscott O'Connor at September 9, 2008 1:55 PM

PSH would pull Penguin off perfectly, but I think for the Riddler should be Paul Bettany

Posted by: Kevin Longrie at September 9, 2008 2:08 PM

The idea of anyone else is beyond absurd.

Look, I know you and Angie are tight, but that is TIIIIIRED.

And what doesn't she get fantasy-cast for? I've been enduring almost two years of hearing she's just GOT to be Ava Lord. "It's a comic book woman!" " THEREFORE ANGELINA JOLIE!!!!!"

Other women exist. I know one could picture her doing the sort of Julie Newman/Lee Meriwether thing, but those women already did it and it'd just be a wanky imitation so someone'd get to see her in the old costume.

(nothing personal against you, but I'm sick to death of "casting" her)

And, again...there's no law that Riddler has to be in the onesies. His current incarnation uses his Matt Lesko look with a green bowler. So let not the costume dissuade your Tennant love.

Posted by: Jay at September 9, 2008 2:10 PM

Pardon me: Newmar. Just a typo (and I know I'd hear about it)

Posted by: Jay at September 9, 2008 2:13 PM

Just going by the ads on the page, how 'bout Lindsay Lohan as Catwoman and Christian Slater as the Penguin... Ha hahahhaahah...
(I made myself shudder a little.)

Posted by: Popsi_zen at September 9, 2008 2:30 PM

You forgot the period, Jay.

Posted by: Cindy at September 9, 2008 3:17 PM

Maybe Carrot Top would make a good Riddler AND a bitching Cat Woman as well. Those lovely, defined, steroid-bred muscles filling that tight, shiny leather jumpsuit while his ginger curls try to escape their confinement... I'd purchase that action figure in a heartbeat. It'd be the focal point of my Carrot Top altar.

Posted by: Sofía at September 9, 2008 3:34 PM

Ava...First, Sweeney Todd definitely counts. Also, he was at least an anti-hero (and pretty much a villain in) The Libertine.

Posted by: Brett at September 9, 2008 3:44 PM

I've always seen the Penguin as a second tier villain, he's like, fucking filler man.

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at September 9, 2008 3:45 PM

Seriously, how chintzy is it to ask if someone has played a roll ever and then immediately discount an Oscar nominated performance? It's like saying, "Hey, besides that time you got a hooker from Heidi Fleiss, have you ever done anything crazy sexually?"

YOU'RE MISSING THE POINT.

Posted by: Brett at September 9, 2008 3:48 PM

How about Daniel Day Lewis as the Riddler? Another idea I had is completely different, but I would like to see what Joseph Gordon-Levitt could do with the material.

Posted by: EB III at September 9, 2008 4:58 PM

How about Ryan Gosling as The Riddler? Or better yet, Ryan Gosling With A Beard as The Riddler?

Bob Hoskins shouldn't even be a question. His turn in Unleashed (crappy movie though it was) is enough to have me convinced that he could make a silly villain like The Penguin feasible and downright terrifying.

And if you wants Mickey Rourke, he should just play Bane.

Posted by: Fernando at September 9, 2008 8:58 PM

Or better yet, Ryan Gosling With A Beard as The Riddler?

the fuck?!

Posted by: Jay at September 9, 2008 9:06 PM

Another idea I had is completely different, but I would like to see what Joseph Gordon-Levitt could do with the material.

I'd like him do to my material.

Posted by: jM at September 9, 2008 9:17 PM

Methinks PSH would be better utilized as the riddler.

Posted by: WhoWhatWhere at September 9, 2008 10:40 PM

Hmm.... Ryan Gosling with a beard... I usually don't mind beards. Some guys can really pull off the vagina face. (That made me feel a little gay.)

Posted by: Sofía at September 9, 2008 11:11 PM

Oh and, uh, that was an Oxford period situation, Cindy. Totally okay.

And you all just keep your weird Carolina hobo fantasies away from my unmedicated OCD Gothamite!

Posted by: Jay at September 10, 2008 4:40 AM

Brett: Sweeney does not count. While he was a villainous character, he was not the villain. That was Judge Turpin. He wasn't really an anti-hero, but he wasn't really a... (I was about to say serial killer, ha, way to miss the point, Ava) okay fine, he was a villain in that role and he did well.

Also, totally forgot about Libertine, in the end when his parts were essentially rotting off he scared the shit outof me.

Posted by: Ava at September 10, 2008 12:25 PM

[quote]Methinks PSH would be better utilized as the riddler[/quote]

really? if he could pull a [i]Machinist[/i], then, i might be able to entertain the idea.

but, cmon, PSH as the Penguin is like, destiny!

i can't stomach JD ever since Pir-[i]horse shit[/i]-ates 2 & 3. But we all know how committed he is to the craft so, yeah, JD-The Riddler FTW!

i loved Glover in CA 1 but cmon! this is a Chris Nolan film we're talkin bout here. And wat bout Bale? You gotta be insane to go up against him in a scene with little-to-no talent like Glover. Can the guy even speak? :D

He might even piss off Bale n nobody wants a crummy performance from the Bat-man himself.

Gosling? Really? Much better than Glover, i guess, but, still Meh!

Jolie? Are you all like effin kiddin me? How many times do we have to see her parade her ass on the screen? i mean, seriously, like that other guy was sayin, there are other actresses in the biz people.

Eva Green shud totally do it considering how dead she was in Royale.

Plus, she can totally out-hot Jolie's old ass anytime of the day IMHO. Seriously, let just leave Jolie to take care of Shiloh n the gang while she and Pitt ages gracefully.

There's No! need for her to hit the gym and Botox again n again just bcoz all the casting directors have a hard on for her.

Hey! Jolie, go n watch Moss in Disturbia. That's the kind of roles you should be lookin at from now on.

Moms Who are Hot, roles.

or else don't bother, k?

Posted by: haplo at September 11, 2008 9:15 AM

wow!

apparently, i suck at HTML tags.

ahahhahahah.

sorry.

Posted by: haplo at September 11, 2008 9:20 AM

Here's an idea no one suggested yet: How about Paul Reubens as the riddler? I think it would fit all your criteria: Unexpected casting, crazy dude, able to handle the material, plus if he were to utter that famous ha-HA that he used as PeeWee, well!

Posted by: derekthered at September 16, 2008 1:40 PM