The rumors surrounding Christopher Nolan’s third Batman film have been incessant ever since The Dark Knight came out and blew everybody away. At various times, it seems like the next “villain” would be Catwoman, and the casting for that was extremely messy. But then the rumors swung over to the idea that the new villain would be The Riddler. Nolan’s association with (Heath Ledger-esque) Joseph Gordon-Levitt on Inception seemed to lead people to think that Nolan was considering JGL for a role. This may be true – it’s one of the most recent rumors, and I think it might have the most weight. But, according to The National Enquirer, JGL isn’t a shoo-in by any measure. Apparently, Nolan is looking at both JGL and Johnny Depp, and now Eminem wants a screen test for the role as well:
After seven weeks of topping the charts with his “Recovery” album, almighty-whitey rapper EMINEM – itching to dominate movie screens again and repeat the critical kudos he won with biopic “8 Mile” – rapped to his reps: “When it comes to business, you know I ain’t no fiddler…You tell them Batman biggies, I wanna play ‘The Riddler!’”
Will Eminem nail a big-screen comeback deal – or get a screen test, at least?
Producers are piqued at the prospect of a Rappin’ Riddler, but Slim Shady’s facing stiff competition – execs are also confab-ing with JOHNNY DEPP and red-hot “Inception” star JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT. Stay tuned.
[From The National Enquirer]
Eminem has dressed up in strange superhero costumes in his videos a few times – does that count as a screen test? Probably not. Judging from Nolan’s previous work, The Riddler will not be some cartoony jokester in a bright spandex onesie. He’ll probably some cold, murderous psychotic who likes horrible, terrible riddles involving body parts and chainsaws. Can Eminem go that dark? Sure. And Em is very popular, and I can see why it might be a good story, you know? But I doubt the veracity of it. First of all, Em seems very focused on his sobriety right now, and he seems super-cautious of taking on any project that might instigate a relapse. Considering the last dude who played a villain for Christopher Nolan is now dead, Em might not want the role. Secondly, I think JGL has it in the bag. Truly.
I think either one of them (Em or JGL) would do very well in that role.
JGL would probably be better because he has a sort of boyish face, and that would contrast well with the character he’d become.
but Depp? no.
I say give him a chance. With his dark past I could see him being able to use it in his acting. Worth a shot, worst case scenario he sucks and you don’t pick him.
Agree with Samantha, I think he could do a good job.
I could see him in the role!
He’s not a bad actor, to be honest.
I already have my heart set on JGL and I wonder makes people think Eminem is a good actor? I want more JGL, he should play The Riddler.
He might do OK in the role, but given that Nolan probably has his pick of every actor out there, he probably doesn’t stand a chance.
Love JD and he’d probably do an interesting take on the role, but I’m rooting for JGL. Before Inception I would have said no way, but he was SO good in that, plus Nolan likes to rehire people he’s worked with before.
Never. Gonna. Happen.
Eminem was not bad in 8 Mile, he’s not a bad actor, but he’s not as good as JGL, for example, and I’m fairly confident that Nolan will go with someone more proven. Plus, he has re-used actors he likes before, so I think that also points toward JGL getting the role.
I’d love to see Eminem in that role, I think he could do a really good job, actually. Never saw Inception and have no idea who JGL is. Johnny Depp shouldn’t come near this movie.
Eminem is starting to look like Anthony Michael Hall.
Am I the only person who seems to think that JGL would make a fantastic Joker replacement? I know the talk has been that Nolan would never replace Ledger’s Joker but honestly, can you ever say “never” in Hollywood? I almost feel as if JGL would appear to look too similar to the Joker and therefore that alone may lose the role for him. As such, if Nolan considered putting a Joker back into the franchise (even as a cameo) JGL would be the ticket. To circle back, neither Eminem or Depp should do this. I think you need someone willing to go very dark and very deep. Yes, Depp could do it but I don’t think it would be fulfilling to him or to the role.
Just give him a chance. I don’t think he’s the right one for the job, but we never know, maybe he’ll prove me wrong.
Anyway, JGL is perfect for the role, he will do a great job, no wonder why he’s Nolan’s first choice.
I say go for either one! I think that Em could surprise a lot of skeptics. But NO to Johnny Depp! I’m so sick of him being the go-to guy for quirky male roles! Give some other actors a chance to shine.
I ALSO think that Jim Parsons (Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory) would make a cool Riddler.
What are you people smoking? JGL is almost an IDENTICAL TWIN to Heath Ledger. There is NO WAY he could be cast as the Riddler. Johnny Depp is too big of a star to to be in Batman and Eminem could definitely pull it off.
@Tom Mack: “What are you people smoking? JGL is almost an IDENTICAL TWIN to Heath Ledger. There is NO WAY he could be cast as the Riddler. Johnny Depp is too big of a star to to be in Batman and Eminem could definitely pull it off.”
This is EXACTLY what I thought. I’d def. consider casting Eminem in this. I’d just get really good insurance.
gotta love eminem
@she who must not be named: I agree with you. Johnny Depp, my lover, should never go that dark, JGL looks so much like Heath it is unreal.. Although he is a great actor, not right for the part.. Eminem? Why not… I like em all but seriously, they are all so different..
i thought Em swore off acting after 8 Mile?
Don’t want JGL to take the role of the villain if it means he ends up dead. 🙁
No to Eminem.
Guy Pearce, JGL, Michael Emerson, David Tennant, Crispin Glover would all be good (and not stereotypical) choices.
I’m just here to sigh and smile at the JGL pictures. My panties, they are moist. TMI? Yeah I don’t care.
Looking forward to seeing who’s on the HGF List today. 🙂
@Lisa, *touching finger to nose* besides, casting Johnny Depp might interfere with your….. ‘arrangement’ I get you sister.
@Conado, Crispin Glover would be a genius choice. Good call.
David Tennant… interesting. Think he could go that dark?
@she who must not be named… HAHAHAHA Yes ma’am, my arrangement always comes first, just told Johnny that the other day….
Thanks for the laugh..
Conando, Glover and Tennant are excellent choices.
Depp would walk away with the movie and Bale IS Batman after all.
A lesser star is more realistic. Heath stole the last movie from Bale. Do you think Bale wants the next one to be stolen from him as well?
I honestly think Eminem could knock it out of the ballpark. Seriously!
i hate when people die in a movie then get brought back. or never died. or whatever. but then again the batman series has never been chronological. JGL is so awesome i hope he gets it
He kind of has the same shape of head and hairstyle that the campy TV Batman Riddler had.
JGL has it in the bag if he wants it. He totally has the look and is an amazing actor. Keep Depp far away from the Riddler role, though…dear god, please no.
Eminem, though…hmmm, I dunno. When it was first announced that Heath Ledger would be the joker, I know a LOT of people scratched their heads. Heath Ledger was known for, what? Brokeback Mountain? 10 Things I Hate About You? And HE was going to be one of the most psychotic villains of all time? But he was INCREDIBLE.
I think Nolan North has this way of pulling great talent out of his actors, of helping them tap into someone awesome in themselves.
So if Eminem somehow does get this role, I’ll know it’s because Nolan North believes he will be fantastic.
If JGL wasn’t in the running I would love to see Eminem try it out. Nolan would give him the right direction, BUT JGL! Come on! He’s hotter than Hansel!
@ GatsbyGal, Nolan North? You mean Christopher Nolan?
@Conando – Oh damnit! Yes, yes, that’s exactly who I mean. I was looking up Nolan North on IMDB this morning. Thanks for the catch.
I’m open-minded. I admit, I kind of want to see JGL in some Batman role because he looks so much like Heath Ledger.
Damn, I still miss Heath Ledger. What a loss.
Eminem was good in 8 Mile? Yeah, playing a white rapper really tested his range.
I like the idea of Crispin Glover getting the gig. Perhaps us Glover fans should start a Facebook campaign.
I just checked and there’s already a Facebook campaign to get Glover cast as the Riddler. It’s pretty small at the moment, hopefully it’ll gain momentum.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Crispin-Glover-as-The-Riddler/139000109471826
Mr. Mathers would have to learn to emote and move his face in order to begin to learn acting. He would never do that to his stupid “bad” character – actually smile, or do anything other than pretend to be tough.
Em- No. Depp- No. JGL- Yes!
What the hell is wrong with you people. I would never ever go see a Batman movie with eminem in it!!!! Nolan would never even entertain that thought in the slightest!!!!!!!
here is what i think, if you cant see Em doing this shit you are retarted…i mean bring up a pic of the old cartoon riddler and look at marshall…and i mean come on he is the riddler…and what does em do for a living? oh thats right makes up rhymes which are only one step below riddles…both have a body, a peak, and a hook… and not to mention his 50 or so music video’s where he litterally played hundreds of different people just for fun… and lets take another look at ‘8-mile’ his role in this movie still gives me anxious chills everytime i watch it…and as for johnny depp, ask yourself does he really need another “im so pale and creepy” movie? i dont think so…and think about it…could you have ever guessed how fucking awesome of a job heath ledger would do for the joker, 4 months before the movie, before you saw the leaked studio pics or him in make-up…just ask yourself should they do something that has been done or try and go the extra mile or 8 and do something that should be done…thats my 10 cents, my 2 cents where free…
oh yeah and for the record why would you ever claim to be a self proclaimed “Glover fan”!!!!!!!!????? wtf????? who the hell is he…ive seen him yeah he does some good shit but ive never just been sitting around thinking man i wanna see more from him…
DUDE…….
A TOUGH ONE.
BUT IF EM GETS IT, GO FOR IT!!
IF NOT, JGL. YESS.
BOTH WOULD DO GOOD, BOTH WOULD SELL MILLIONS.
ITS LIKE CHOOSIN’ HAWAII OR BAHAMAS FOR VACATION SPOTS. JUST CHOOSE ONE OF THESE TWO. AND START THE PRODUCTION!!