We’ve pretty much covered all the casting rumors surrounding Christopher Nolan’s follow-up to The Dark Knight, but this CinemaBlend.com photo of Philip Seymour Hoffman as Nolan’s Penguin is just too intriguing to ignore. Yes, even CinemaBlend itself recognizes that claims that the photo is from a studio makeup test are almost certainly bunk and that it’s probably just a really good Photoshop job. Nevertheless, I kinda dig the crooked eyebrows and cracked-dome, and it has me rethinking my initial aversion to a Penguin in the next movie.
What do you think of the photo? Does it change your mind about a Penguin in Nolan’s next picture? Who else could play the Penguin?
More on ‘The Dark Knight’:
‘The Dark Knight’: Did the hype ruin it for you?
Review: ‘The Dark Knight’
‘The Dark Knight’: Will you see it again?
‘The Dark Knight’: Oscar worthy?
Eddie Murphy to play the Riddler?
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If Ledger can re-define the Joker after Jack Nicholson, then why cant Hoffman do the same for the Penguin after DeVito. Thumbs up for me
I think they should leave the Penguin character alone. Devito was perfect in Tim Burton’s one. Catwoman needs to be done again because she adds more depth to Batman’s character. They should focus on redoing Riddler, Mr. Freeze, Poison Ivy and do new ones like ManBat, Clayface, and Mad Hatter.
I’m in. But Catwoman and the Penguin in the same picture screams “Burton” all the way. And Catwoman is a go, isn’t it?
Jokers with guns and funny suit (good idea), fat man with killer birds and a funny umbrella (NOT a good idea). Your hero is only as good as his villain.
They should NEVER redo Mr. Freeze…
NO!!
I would like to start a new rumor, that will hopefully become reality. “The Dark Knight Returns” directed by Frank Miller (naturally) and starring Brian Dennehey as Batman/Bruce Wayne. I mean he looks like Bruce Wayne from the graphic novel, since he is a big guy.
I think PSH would bring his genius to the Penguin, so there would be no problems there. However, I would like to see more of the detective side to Batman. Having the Riddler as the villain would certainly provide for more of a mystery.
I’d rather see Nolan reimagine Poison Ivy. I think there are some interesting themes can could explore with ecoterrorism. Batman may fight street crime, but he never takes on big corporations…there could be an interesting dynamic there. Not sure who could play Poison Ivy. I like Julianne Moore or maybe Alicia Witt. Philip Seymour Hoffman as the penguin is a great choice–I think he and Poison Ivy would make a great team.
SPOILER ALERT
Think about how the last one ended. Batman was a fugitive and his love interest just got incinerated. Catwoman is both a masked fugitive and a potential love interest, plus it follows the development of Bruce’s character, which is Nolan’s main concern really.
Johnny Depp as the Riddler is something I am dying to see. The way he immerses himself into roles (much like Ledger for the Joker) will only add more of the creepiness factor we got in the Dark Knight. PSH is an amazing actor and would be a fabulous penguin. Those are my choices for the villains.
Nothing’s confirmed people. Nolan hasn’t even signed on for the 3rd installment. WB needs to send him a dump truck full of money if they know what’s good for them!
But as far as villians go, he said he wanted to keep this Batman franchise grounded in the real world, so forget about the far-fetched. Sorry Mr. Freeze, Clayface and Killer Croc (some of my favorites!)
Perhaps The Riddler? A psychological thriller/battle of wits vs. the world’s greatest detective. And a Catwoman love story to round it off.
Final shot: Batman in Arkham, walking past all the past villians he’s locked up: Scarecrow, Joker, Two Face (fate unknown at the end of TDK), Riddler. Fade to black, trilogy complete.
I still think PSH would be fantastic as the penguin….and i think penguin would be better than robin or batgirl or catwoman or whatever.
He’s make a great Penquin – so would Warwick Davies (isn’t the Penquin supposed to be a dwarf with hommicidal tendencies?)
They actually could do Clayface if they take it to mean someone who has the ability to adapt. Ted Bundy was notorious for being able to completely change his appearance just by changing a few things about his face (facial hair, hair style, etc). If Clayface had that ability, it could be not only realistic but very creepy.
The Penguin could fit with Nolan’s type of story if he is a mob boss who actually looks respectable in the public eye. It would be a good contrast with Batman doing good but looking bad in the public eye. I think Black Mask would be good with Nolan’s type of story, and what about bringing in Hush?
he is such an overrated actor..
Ok, is it just me, or does this picture remind you of Uncle Fester. I dont like it.
The Penguin would be ok, but only if he doesn’t look like a penguin. Danny DeVito’s look was over the top. I’d like to see a non-supernatural villain like Mr. Zsasz, a serial killer who keeps tally of his kills by cutting his body. Talia al Ghul, Ra’s al Ghul’s daughter, would also lead to an interesting story.
Yeah, if I am not mistaken, the Penguin in the comic book was basically The Joker except he was a dwarf. Both were homocidal maniacs. Warwick Davis would not work only because it’ll be Leprachaun meets th Penguin. Peter Dinklage could work because he’s really a pint-sized Malkovitch. However, if it’s not going to be a dwarf then Hoffman could work.
Hoffman seems too obvious a choice…take the chubby guy and make him the penguin. yawn. Ledger was a HUGE surprise and a huge success as the joker, so really anyone could play the penguin. What about Tim Roth? Sean Penn? Randy Quaid? Jack Black?
i think they should stay more in the real world, more like batman versus osama bin laden. i think batman would love it
The fat guy from Boogie Nights can do anything.
If they let PSH do that role, like they let him go in Mission Imposible he would be fantastic.
Paul Giamatti would make a great Penguin!
Batman will be done within its own limits and that means no supernatual or freakish villains …even scare crow had a reasonable explanation to his tactics …(no Freeze, No Ivy , No Hatter, No Bat Girl , No Penguin etc.) ..I’m hoping they don’t do Robin but he is essential in the Batman story and Catwoman I’m not sold on because her character is kinda cheesy and makes her look like an old cat lady in a suit…The Riddler would be perfect to go along with Ra’s Al’ gul’s daughter or a new Mob Boss..I hope they keep that realism going, which is what makes the Batman franchise so good…
Joker and Penguin are not basically the same character. Thats like saying Pizza and Lobster are basically the same food.
Hoffman would be great, so would Giamatti.
The only Catwoman they should consider is Megan Fox. Possibly Dita Von Teese but I’m sure she cant act.
Crispin Glover could take over for Ledger as Joker.
Depp, Roth, or Jude Law for Riddler would work. Maybe even Stephen Colbert but that would never fly.
I’d like to see Bane done correctly, seeing as he was so brutally raped in that other piece of crap movie.
EVA GREEN FOR CATWOMAN! EVA GREEN FOR CATWOMAN!
This looks cool even though its a photoshop pic PSH would make a great Penguin they need to photoshop Johnny Depp as “The Riddler also! CatWoman is a bad idea for the next Batman movie either they do it with PSH as “The Penguin” or Johnny Depp as “The Riddler”. Even though it would be cool to get Johnny Depp for “The Riddler” i can see them getting PSH to play “The Penguin” because Johnny Depp is committed to so many movies right now he wouldn’t be able to fit the next Batman movie in the mix. Not that PSH has no other movies he’s committed to, but not as much as Depp. Besides i bet Christopher Nolan plans on putting the next Batman out in the Summer of 2011 to make it every 3 years he puts the Batman movies out to make sure he gets it right like he did with the previous 2. Hey guys what about the possible arrival of Robin? I haven’t heard anything yet about it i’m just throwing it out there.
Back when Batman Returns was in its early stages, Bob Hoskins’ name was thrown about as a possible Penguin. I think he’d be prefect for the next one. Make him a very realistic gangster-type with a thing for birds.