Following fan speculation ranging from Johnny Depp to Neil Patrick Harris to Eddie Murphy, Hollywood Life is now reporting that Joseph Gordon-Levitt may be in talks to play The Riddler in a third Christopher Nolan Batman movie. Gordon-Levitt is, of course, a major player in Nolan’s upcoming (non-Batman) film, Inception and apparently Nolan was a big fan of Gordon-Levitt’s work on the set.

Earlier Batman rumors linked to the actor included the far-fetched notion that Gordon-Levitt may replace Heath Ledger (with whom he starred in 10 Things I Hate About You) as The Joker. Not surprisingly, representatives for both Nolan and Gordon-Levitt have flat out denied that rumor, but recent talk surrounding a turn by Gordon-Levitt as The Riddler may be more valid. More after the jump…



According to Hollywood Life, an “insider close to Christopher Nolan” had this to say:

“Chris really dug Joseph [as an actor]. There was a joke at first between them [on the set of Inception] that Joseph wanted to read for Batman 3 and things heated up as filming continued. It’s not 100% confirmed that he’s getting [the role of The Riddler] but there’s certainly talk about it. Joseph is definitely on the short list.”

As many have pointed out, this is all a little premature as a script for the film hasn’t even been written yet. Still, being that I’m a huge fan of Gordon-Levitt’s work myself, I don’t mind indulging in the gossip. For my money, the young actor is already proving to be among the greatest of his generation. With solid performance after solid performance in films from Brick to Mysterious Skin to The Lookout (and don’t forget Angels in the Outfield!), Joseph Gordon-Levitt has shown that he can convincingly play the gambit of tones, emotions, and characters. Any fears that had arisen with G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra about Gordon-Levitt working in the mainstream were squashed with 500 Days of Summer and his subsequent Saturday Night Live appearance. It seems this guy can do it all.

What do you think? Would you be excited about Joseph Gordon Levitt as The Riddler, or are you still holding out for Johnny Depp?