It is known that the next installment of the new and improved Batman movies will feature the villain ‘The Riddler,’ but it was not known until now that Johnny Depp was going to be offered the role.

Reports claim a source told the Enquirer,

(Producers) are convinced that the role of the Riddler is perfect for Depp. Johnny’s a pro. He’ll be able to take direction from director Chris Nolan and still make the character his own.

The same source also claims that producers want Philip Seymour Hoffman to play ‘The Penguin.’

I say AWESOME! I love both actors, and with Christian Bale alongside them, this movie is sure to hit gold yet again.

The Dark Knight has already grossed $440 Million so far worldwide and there is no end in sight. With a huge profit like that, it will be hard for Depp and Hoffman to turn down the roles.

‘The Riddler’ was played on the small screen in the 1960s by funnymen Frank Gorshin and Jim Carrey in the 1995 Batman Forever movie. Hoffman would be stepping into the shoes of former TV and movie Penguins Burgess Meredith and Danny DeVito.

What do you all think of these actors as the next Batman villains?

It’s always an interesting phenomenon to see certain movies come along and generate so much publicity that, like Paris Hilton, they seem to attain a quality of being famous just because they’re famous, thus generating even more publicity. It is a much desired effect of marketing that, on the other hand, can often make or break a movie (see The Blair Witch Project). The Batman movies have, since the first sequel, too often been plagued with high publicity followed by enormous disappointment (hear that, Mr. Freeze?), but director Christopher Nolan has teamed up for the second time with Christian Bale as the man in black and led the franchise to heights that surely even Danny DeVito could never have imagined.

The Penguin reacts to The Dark Knight’s smashing box office success.

For a relatively short franchise, it’s surprising at how many people have donned the costume of the caped crusader (does anyone remember Val Kilmer?), possibly because it has just been so hard to get over George Clooney’s bat nipples. At any rate, it seems safe to say by now that Christian Bale is the one who will be remembered as Batman more than anyone else, possibly even Michael Keaton. He inhabits the role so completely and so effectively that the ailing Batman franchise no longer seems to be in freefall. Let’s hope he can do the same thing as John Connor in the upcoming third Terminator sequel which, I understand, will include all relevant original cast except Eddie Furlong.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in full make-up for next summer’s Terminator Salvation.

But of course the role that everyone is talking about is the late Heath Ledger as The Joker, an unusually dark and sinister role (for the actor as well as the movie) that takes on new depth after Ledger’s tragic and untimely death. His performance is arguably the best thing in the entire movie, which is a strong statement, since for the last few years people have generally been most concerned with what the new batmobile looks like.

The Dark Knight in 2005, previous to his request for a wardrobe modification. “I want to be able to turn my head,” he says.

Incidentally, the batmobile is certainly not a letdown. When it first comes quite literally crashing into the movie, it looks remarkably similar to the one in the last film, but soon becomes badly damaged, adding a sense of realism to the film until, of course, Batman pushes various buttons and levers and bursts out of it on a motorcycle which seems to have been built in for just such an emergency.
The Batmobile. Bat pod and, presumably, iPod equipped.

But what really makes the movie great is not the performances but the addition to the Batman legend, specifically in the way it delves so deeply into the bizarre psychological realities of the characters. It’s a testament to the film that, as The Joker makes an effort to explain the motives for his actions, what would in a lesser film come off as weak screen writing (“I just…DO things…”) serves to enhance his character. A man who does vicious, evil things can be an effective character, I suppose, but a man who doesn’t KNOW why he does vicious and evil things…NOW you’ve got something…

The Joker’s lack of real motives, the idea that he is basically flailing wildly and there is no explanation for his viciousness, could easily come off as a weak excuse to present an evil character with no moral boundaries. But he is written and performed so well that you almost want to cheer for him. His brutal honesty counteracts his evil tendencies and makes him enormously watchable. Like Mickey and Mallory, writers Christopher and Jonathan Nolan (also responsible for the purely brilliant Memento) understand the odd irony that the most important thing about a good villain is public appeal.

Batman demands to know the truth about those scars.

Batman’s plight in The Dark Knight is that the public is finally calling for his unmasking and for him to face the consequences for breaking the law while protecting the citizens of Gotham. There is a major identity struggle as Wayne watches in dismay the news reports of public masses calling for him to show himself, while The Joker has promised to kill innocent people for every day that Batman remains hidden.

In a brilliant attempt to undermine everything that Batman has come to represent, The Joker concocts morally impossible predicaments in which Batman must make a decision between two choices, each of which forces him to make a terrible ethical or moral mistake. He is forced to choose someone at the expense of another, to do something he would never normally do, each time lengthening his rap sheet, so to speak. The good he does is irrelevant, the public focuses only on the bad things, and his image is effectively destroyed.

A brooding Batman reflects on what he has become.

The transformation that the characters undergo is hugely unexpected, and it is not at all disheartening that the movie ends with virtually the promise of more sequels. It’s also interesting to consider which characters are sure to show up again. I personally expect to see again Commissioner Gordon (Gary Oldman), Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman), Two-Face, Gordon’s son (who we meet only a couple times as a young boy), and probably Salvatore Maroni. He has a relatively small role, but it’s interesting that Batman dropped him off a building and shattered both of his legs, and then he was walking around again a few scenes later. He’s gotta have powers of some kind.

It’s not often that a movie comes along with this much hype and expectation and speculation, and not only lives up to the hype, but surpasses it. Christopher Nolan’s second Batman film has not only elevated the Batman franchise, but it has both elevated and broadened the entire sub-genre of the comic book movie. While so many extra sequels these days come off as another movie tacked on to a successful franchise just to cash in on the popularity (Raider of the Lost UFO, anyone?), the Nolan brothers have taken us deeper into the story and completely changed the direction. It’s nice to leave the theater anticipating the next one.

Britain’s Daily Mail reports that Christian Bale was ENRAGED when his mother hurled insults at his wife, Sandra ‘Sibi’ Blazic.

Interesting side note, Sibi was once Winona Ryder’s personal assistant.

A source close to Batman says Bale’s confident that he has done nothing wrong and blames his mother:

“Christian was stressed, but he didn’t lay a finger on anyone. Instead, he flew off the handle and cussed his mother. He just got very loud because his mother was saying some very outrageous things about him, and his wife. Christian’s attitude is that this was his mother’s fault because she became very provocative in an argument they were having,’” the source said, adding: “Things got out of control and he now says he wishes he just left the room.”

Not good!

“Normally Christian would just call a friend and go out to a pub to cool off. But he was literally trapped into this confrontation with his mother and sister because there was an army of fans and paparazzi outside. They’re going to need a “cooling off” period because his mother said some pretty outrageous things to him that really set him off.”

Just a bad situation all around. Things came to a head, Christian has been having a hard time, when things don’t mix, the result can be disastrous.

“He regrets the way she treated him in their argument a lot more than having to talk to police about it. Christian has admitted that something just snapped, but he didn’t threaten anyone with violence.”

Bale is reportedly having marital problems as well. The report goes on to say:

“He can have a terrible temper. Instead of lashing out at his wife, he sometimes lashes out at people around him. He’s under a lot of pressure right now and simply got incredibly loud with members of his family around. I think his wife is going to be very important to him after all this is over because she does, at the end of the day, know how to calm him down.”

People close to Christian have also said that he has become depressed over the death of close friend and co-star Heath Ledger. The two actors became close and formed a friendship when they both played Bob Dylan in the flick I’m Not There.

The source said, “Without Ledger around, he’s found it more and more difficult to communicate with those around him, especially his family.” Another Bale insider confirms that Ledger’s death was a massive blow for the Welshman: “They had become very close during the making of The Dark Knight and Christian went into virtual hiding for the six weeks after Heath was found dead. He wasn’t returning phone calls and he wasn’t a happy man. It’s foolish to think that he’s been able to completely shake off that grief just as Heath and his work is finally being seen by audiences. He expected to share this moment with his friend, and now he can’t.”

It was also reported that Bale found it hard to shake off the mental strains of Batman, and told an interviewer he was having trouble sleeping. People have been saying that Heath was having the same problems after wrapping Dark Knight, which lead to his accidental overdose.

This makes sense as to why the police took the whole situation so lightly. No further ‘official’ details have been released by authorities, but this does shed some light on this situation.

What do you all think? Was Bale in the wrong??

Ok so this is totally gratuitous (and probably a little tacky) but I don’t care, this man is HOT

What happened to the Dark Knight in Shining Armor? Is it only on the big screen that Christian Bale’s superhero persona shines through? His mother and sister probably would say it’s all a farce, because they filed assault charges against him, and the actor was arrested in London.

The actor handed himself over voluntarily, and has since been questioned by the police. On the matter, the London officers have said,

“A 34-year-old man attended a London Police Station on Tuesday by appointment and was arrested in connection with an allegation of assault. He currently remains in custody.”

Are these allegations true, or a publicity stunt from his own family? I personally hope it’s all a big misunderstanding; I would hate to think of the handsome actor of the caped crusader as being violent towards the women in his own family. Besides, that kind of behavior is more befitting “American Psycho” than Batman.

The actor was allowed to attend the “Dark Knight” premiere in London on Monday (for which he was in London), and has been released for now. Tell us you are still the good guy, Christian!

Update!

He is trying to say he’s a good guy! Christian Bale is denying the accusations, and was able to leave the police station without any charges against him.

If you are interested in seeing more about the “Batman” empire:

Read about the record breaking “Dark Knight”; click here!

See the evolution of the Joker; click here!

And see Christian Bale on the cover of “Details” magazine; click here!

July 18, 2008. A date that has—for Batman fans and casual moviegoers alike—been burned forever in our minds. Three years ago Batman Begins went back to basics—that is, the origin story of Bruce Wayne, soon-to-become the cape and cowl-donning Dark Knight—redeeming the Batman movie franchise with its success and shedding a new light on comic book movies everywhere by bringing them into the modern world of realism and believability.

Besides batarangs and a grappling gun, Batman Begins wielded a meticulously chosen—and not to mention highly talented—cast and the brilliant, capable directing mind of Christopher Nolan (Memento, The Prestige), who decided to end the film with a note that would change things … forever.

Actually, more like a card. The mark of the Joker, Batman’s arch-nemesis and criminal equal.

Now we’re just days away from the release of Nolan’s Bat-sequel, The Dark Knight. But before we get to the now, let’s take a moment to step back and look at the movie’s main villain then. Hold on to your masks, clowns.

Comics (1940):

It all began in 1940 with Batman #1, Bill Finger, and Bob Kane when they created the character—a super villain and criminal mastermind who just was. Finger and Kane found their inspiration in the unsettling appearance of Conrad Veidt in the 1928 silent film called The Man Who Laughs. A sociopath with chalk-white skin, sickly green hair, and bright ruby-colored lips who murders for his own amusement, the Joker—whose real identity is unknown—was born and would forever alter Batman’s life and Gotham City, arguably one-in-the-same.

Over the years the Joker has been written as both a dangerous, psychotic killer and a silly prankster (today he’s considered the former). Later on his origin was explored in numerous explanations with slight variations. But like the Joker says in the classic graphic novel The Killing Joke: if he’s going to have a past, he prefers it to be multiple choice.

In 2006, Wizard magazine crowned the Joker the greatest villain of all time—and rightly so. No one has had such a profound, anarchic, and devastating effect on the Batman mythos as the Joker has, and he’s credited for more than his fair share of tragedies surrounding the Batman.

However, as complex and intense as the relationship between the Joker and Batman is, another character maintains a close—but perhaps not as entwined, albeit strangely complicated—bond with the Joker: the fan-favorite villainess, Harleen Quinzel, affectionately known as Harley Quinn.

Cesar Romero (1960s):

Like one period in the Joker’s existence, Cesar Romero’s portrayal of the Joker in the 1960s campy, live-action television show and the 1966 film of the same name was more that of an annoying, silly nutcase than a dangerous, murdering madman. His crimes were comedic in nature, like turning Gotham’s water supply into jelly and challenging Batman to a surfing competition. (Yeah, you read that right.)

In the movie (yo ho!)—which was horrendously, embarrassingly awful, by the way, and even saying that doesn’t do it justice—the Joker isn’t intimidating, to say the least. You could probably beat this Joker with a fly swatter and he’d run screaming (and giggling) in the other direction. I mean, he was afraid of Catwoman’s “attack cat.” It’s that bad. But in a fictional world where nearly everyone is incredibly cheery and ridiculously cheesy, even the most convincing version of the Joker would look sane next to them. After so long of watching this movie (and the minutes barely drag on), it’s not surprising why it’s nearly impossible to tell the difference between a “real” foghorn and a fake foghorn sound made by some guy dressed like a pirate. There are so many random deus ex machinas—the Dynamic Duo’s lives were saved by … rubber foam?—and so much insane logic—apparently “the only possible explanation” for a riddle involving a banana and a Russian is that someone Russian is going to slip on a banana peel and break his neck—that the Joker was really probably standing there dumbfounded amidst the corny acting and badly choreographed end fight scene, thinking, “Okay, the joke’s not funny anymore.”

“Holy … jumble!” Don’t even ask.

Or maybe the Joker just went even more insane. Amusingly, Romero refused to shave his mustache when taking on the role, and thus it was somewhat visible beneath his white makeup. But hey, when you’re surrounded by such preposterous characters and plot threads, why bother to shave? No one cares anyway.

Jack Nicholson (1989):

“Ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?”

In the 1989 Batman film, the Joker had a habit of asking all his victims that before he killed them. Just because he liked how it sounded. With a permanent twisted and silly grin, Jack Nicholson plays one psychotic Joker whose identity was deemed Jack Napier for the movie. Nicholson’s Clown Prince of Crime had his laughing gas and parlor tricks (like acid-squirting flowers) and ridiculous Prince music to dance to on the streets of Gotham and in museums as he vandalized art into something more suited to his “homicidal artist” tastes.

He was made even creepier by the nontraditional decision to make Jack Napier the man who killed Bruce’s parents. As Bats (played by Michael Keaton) points out when he confronts the Joker about his parents’ murder: he may have made the Joker when he caused him to fall into a acidic vat of chemicals, but the Joker made him a long time ago—on the night Bruce swore to rid Gotham of the evil that killed his parents.

Mark Hamill (animation):

Mark Hamill’s (yes, Luke Skywalker from Star Wars) voice as the Joker in numerous cartoons is one of the best incarnations of the Joker ever. Of course, others have done the Joker’s voice in various animations—like Lenny Weinrib in The New Adventures of Batman (1970s) and Kevin Michael Richardson in The Batman (2004–2008)—but Mark Hamill’s Joker portrayal is as classic as Kevin Conroy’s when it comes to Batman (in fact, most fans consider Conroy’s voice to be the voice of Batman).

And I have fond memories of both voices from my childhood. Mark Hamill voiced the Joker in the highly successful Batman: The Animated Series (one of my favorites), which debuted in 1992. He also provided voice talent for the Joker in the fantastic movie Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, five episodes of The New Batman Adventures, The Batman/Superman Movie, four episodes of Justice League, three episodes of Superman: The Animated Series, and another personal favorite, the movie Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker.

Heath Ledger (2008):

Through an extremely successful use of viral marketing, the hype for this film is unbelievable. Showings have already sold out, forcing theaters to add more show times to meet strong ticket demands. Once again there is a fantastic cast, including actors both old—Christian Bale reprises his role as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Morgan Freeman is Lucius Fox, Michael Caine portrays the loyal butler Alfred Pennyworth, Gary Oldman continues to play now-Lieutenant James Gordon in a role he was born for, and Cillian Murphy cameos as Jonathan Crane aka the Scarecrow—and new—Maggie Gyllenhaal picks up where Katie Holmes left off as love interest Rachel Dawes and Aaron Eckhart joins the cast (among other newcomers) as District Attorney Harvey Dent and his alter ego Two-Face.

Of course, the player whose sad fate made the most powerful impact was the performance of the late Heath Ledger: the Clown Prince of Crime himself.

The people who have seen Heath act on set as the Joker say he was incredible—that every scene he did was over the top and unique, that he blew things out of the water and was even better than Jack Nicholson. We’re talking (posthumous) Oscar-worthy here, folks. Shock rumbled through those already dark waters (due to the tone of The Dark Knight) when Ledger died from an accidental overdose on January 22 of this year. Uncertainty and rumors spread like wildfire, adding to the chaos like the Joker himself breeds in the film. But after much consideration, the decision was made: Nolan and Warner Brothers would honor the last finished work of the young actor by showing the world his heart-and-soul efforts without exploiting his death. It was careful treading from there on, and the question continues to circulate (in some regard) as to whether Heath’s demise will make the movie too tenebrous for audiences still getting accustomed to his death.

Nevertheless, while Ledger’s passing is tragic and unexpected, those who have been lucky enough to see the film already say they weren’t really bothered by that revelation simply because his performance was so captivating. They were enthralled by him—but when the credits rolled and they exited the theater, the sad fact hit them with a heavier weight. Heath is gone, and his talents untimely went with him.

So when you see Heath in The Dark Knight come Friday, don’t be afraid to (love to) hate him as the Joker. In the darkness of the theater, surrounded by fans like yourselves, get lost in the raw emotion and power of his portrayal and the movie itself. The worst thing you could do is worry about reacting the way you would if he hadn’t died. Be honest about it—laugh at the Joker’s sick jokes that are, indeed, funny in a twisted way, and curse him when he does something appalling or heart-wrenching. Because the greatest act of disrespect is one of apathy.

About the Author: WITA is the lead comics writer for Hollywire’s sister site The Girls Entertainment Network. Please visit the site to view more of WITA’s comic coverage.

CNN is reporting that Entertainment Tonight decided not to air a video of Heath Ledger at a party that showed drugs being used (by others) in his presence. ET said it was out of respect for his grieving family that they decided to pull the plug on airing the video; however, it may be more likely that ET decided not to air the video because of all the phone calls they received (because at first request they refused and were going to air it). It is being reported that not only did powerhouse PR firms and studio executives call in to request that it not be aired, but individual celebrities such as Natalie Portman and Sarah Jessica Parker called ET as well.

Apparently, in the video, he is never shown taking any drugs, but does say he “used to smoke five joints a day.” He also points to his tattoo of “M” and says, “this is to remind me to never smoke weed again.” (source: CNN)
Seriously, airing such a video just seems like nothing but pure sensationalism–he obviously was not seen doing any drugs, so what’s the point? Who hasn’t been to a party where drugs are present (especially in show biz)?

It is very saddening to hear that actor Heath Ledger, 28, was found dead today at 3:26 p.m. eastern time in his Manhattan apartment. He was an awesome actor that seemed to never get caught up in all the Hollywood Bull*%$!

It is being reported that his housekeeper knocked on his bedroom door to notify him that his masseuse had arrived. When he did not answer the door the housekeeper and masseuse entered the room.

TMZ is reporting that he was “face down on the floor;” however, NY Times is reporting, he was “naked and unconscious on a bed–the housekeeper and masseuse shook him, but he did not respond.”

Police Lieutenant John Grimpal was on the scene and has said that drugs were found, but the type is unknown at this time– it is now being reported that the pills found were possibly sleeping drugs (a medical examiner wil be determining the cause of death on Wednesday).

Heath’s latest movie, “The Dark Knight,” hasn’t hit the screens yet, but he did just finish all the filming. “The Dark Knight” is the sequel to “Batman Begins.” Heath played the prized role of The Joker.

Heath previously had earned an Oscar nomination for Brokeback Mountain and starred in many notable films, such as, “A Knight’s Tale,” “The Patriot,” and “Monster’s Ball.”

Heath, born in 1979 in Perth, Australia, leaves behind his 2 year old daughter, Matilda. Matilda’s mother is Michelle Williams. Heath met Michelle during the filming of “Brokeback Mountain” (she played the role of his wife in the film). They and their daughter together in Brooklyn until they split up last year.

Undoubtedly, Heath will be missed by many.