A few weeks ago, it was widely reported that Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Johnny Depp had been cast as the Penguin and the Riddler respectively in the third Batman film. The rumour came from Alfred himself Michael Caine so fanboys the world over were jumping for joy. Unfortunately, when this was followed up with Mr. Hoffman himself he vehemently denied the rumour.

Since then, message boards the world over have not kept quiet and the rumour seems to be building momentum. After having to sit through Danny De Vito and his army of rocket-pack toting penguins and Ace Ventura hamming it up as the Riddler, the possible casting news fills this writer’s heart with hope. I suspect a conspiracy to keep the lid on the movie secret, that or Michael Caine forgot to take his medication and is making all of this up.

Either way this is by far the coolest casting rumour in a long time and seems like a match made in heaven. Here’s hoping the third Batman continues the legacy of Dark Knight and defies natural law by becoming a third part that’s actually decent.

Here’s a few reminders of how bad casting ruined previous Batman films.

Danny De Vito as the Penguin in the otherwise excellent Batman Returns:


 Jim Carrey as the Riddler in the mediocre Batman Forever: