Riddler = Next Bat Movie Villain?
This is all pure speculation, but, then, isn’t that the most fun kind of speculation? Just the Hail Mary, shot-in-the-dark kind? I think so. After watching The Dark Knight over the past weekend, I’ve been thinking a lot about who could be the next villain in the third installment of Christopher Nolan’s new Batman franchise. Ruling out the supernatural villains, which ones would be realistic enough to fit into this series?
The short-list, of course, includes names like Catwoman and the Riddler and Hush, etc. I don’t think Warner Bros is going to want to revisit Catwoman after Halle Berry’s trainwreck from a few years ago, and Hush doesn’t seem like a well-known enough character to register with the average fans. I suppose they could ignore having a central “super-villain” and just make a movie about all-out mob wars, ala War Games; yet, I think the next main big bad guy is going to be the Riddler, and I think we’ve already seen him.
Pictured above, actor Joshua Harto plays Mr. Reese in “The Dark Knight,” an employee for Wayne Enterprises who comes to the conclusion that Batman is actually Bruce Wayne. Oh, and, it’s not like I’m spoiling anything; everybody and their dog has seen this movie already. He eventually gets targeted by the Joker before he can share his secret, after which he’s summarily pushed out of the movie after Bruce Wayne saves his life and gives him one hell of an evil eye. It’s either a loose end that never got tied up, or it’s a sign that he’ll be back in future movies.
Now, isn’t that kind of like Edward Nigma’s origin? Ex-employee to Wayne Enterprises, grown bitter, and seeking revenge against his former employer? And, ditching the lame “enigma” joke would be a step in the right direction, though another clue presents itself when you think about it for a second. His name in this movie is Mr. Reese. Mysteries. I’d say I might be on to something.
But I’ve been wrong before.
I like the logic!
July 23rd, 2008 | #
Hey, bro, that’s a nice try. Except that guy is a fat dork. Riddler needs to be damn Tommy Lee Jones or Jim Carrey or something. Not a fat guy doing a no-luck, sad sack Scotty McClellan impression.
You wanna ask me, the next Batman villain is Gotham Police Department. Also, much like X3, Indiana Jones 4, and Spidey 3, this franchise is much overdue for a sequel that ends with a big giant tornado of CGI bullshit that rips a bunch of shit up. The only Batman villain I see who is capable of that big tornado of CGI bullshit is Mr. Freeze (ice) or Penguin (birds). To cast Mr. Freeze, I think you would need Tony Shalhoub. To cast Penguin, I think you would need Verne Troyer (if you’re thinking an actual penguin; these Batmans are real these days) or Philip Seymour Hoffman if you just want a fat old guy who seems like a mayor. Scarecrow could also return to unleash a giant tornado of city-destroying fear gas shit, too.
I’m actually quarterchub thinking about this next Bat Man movie.
July 23rd, 2008 | #
I don’t see Riddler as the main villain in a Batman movie, but I could see him playing kind of a hapless wannabe villain filling a comedy subplot role about someone who’s really trying to get swept up in this costumed villain zeitgeist. Fits a no-name actor better that way, too.
But I think what your keen senses have picked up is way too convenient to be an accident. Good work, detective.
July 24th, 2008 | #
I think you’re onto something. Excellent!
July 24th, 2008 | #
After seeing the film a second time in IMAX on Tuesday, I must say this. I would be perfectly happy if we never see another sequel. After this masterpiece, anything that comes after will surely be a letdown. After the $222 million dollars in just 5 days, a sequel is inevitable. But at what cost? I feel like any villain they choose will suck compared to Ledger’s astonishing Joker. In keeping with the reality of the current series, we can certainly count out the fantastic villains. We won’t be seeing Man-bat, Poison Ivy, Freeze, Mad Hatter, Killer Croc, Bane, or Clayface. We can expect Catwoman, Penguin, Riddler, or the return of Harvey. Any way they go will surely be inspired as long as Nolan and Goyer write it, but without Ledger, what’s the point? I think I’m going to see this a third time before I go sit through X-files. I don’t want to believe in Mulder. I’d rather believe in Harvey Dent.
July 24th, 2008 | #
I’d love to see Riddler, because he could be really cool if reimagined in just the right way (some sort of crazy “Saw”-like character, only without the shitty movie and sequels), but I don’t want to see this guy play him. It’s nothing against the actor, but I really liked the way that particular subplot ended in The Dark Knight - that knowing glance that Wayne and Reese exchange pretty much sums it all up.
I think I could easily see the next one working with some kind of psuedo-team-up - say, Penguin and the Riddler. After the events of the first two films the Gotham crime families are probably ridiculously chaotic, so I could see a distinguished gentleman with a few quirks (re: NOT the monstrous outcast of Batman Returns) stepping in to try and unite them under one banner. Meanwhile, you’ve got the Riddler doing his thing, either employed by the Penguin or independently of him.
I think Catwoman could work, but you’d have to toy with her to make her more than just a burglar in a cat costume - maybe some kind of blood-thirsty vigilante, or a Robin Hood-esque character (or some kind of amalgamation of those). At this point, I think Riddler, Penguin, and Catwoman are the only real options for new villains who don’t get too outlandish - guys like Poison Ivy, Clayface, Mr. Freeze, etc. get a little too science fiction-y for what Nolan is going for.
I guess you could also have Scarface in a bit part…that could be sufficiently creepy if done right.
-M
July 24th, 2008 | #
I suspect that given the (relative) realism of the current movies, the Riddler would be a logical choice for a villain. I also agree that the “Mr. Reese” pun seems like it will HAVE to have a connection (and I could kick myself for not catching that). The one thing I question is would they put the responsibility of playing a major character in a popular franchise to a realative unknown? (At least Joshua Harto is unknown to me). I also agree that after Bruce Wayne saves his life and they exchange glances, Reese seems like he appreciates that he shouldn’t spill his secrets.
As an alternative theory, the film also included and underused Anthony Michael Hall (whom I didn’t recognize) as reporter Mike Engel. Engel was about to interview Reese to learn the secret identity of Batman and he was one of the hostages in the construction site in the final battle. Would it make more sense for a reporter (played by a more recognizable name), obsessed with uncovering secrets, a little traumatized by being a hostage, and jealous of the media attention the Joker creates, going a little insane and becoming inspired by Mr. Reese and his secret to become the Riddler?
For the record, I also question the need for the inevitable sequel. The best analogy I’ve read is eating a third piece of cheesecake. The first two were perfect and as much as you want more, you know deep in your heart that a third piece will end up making you feel bloated and regretting that you didn’t stop with two.
July 25th, 2008 | #
i think it’s far more likely that the nolans were eating peanut butter cups while trying to think of a name for the wayneco accountant. I don’t really buy it that this guy will be the Riddler.
July 25th, 2008 | #
JoeMamma, do yourself a favor and skip the X-Files movie. Pure. Garbage.
July 26th, 2008 | #