Joseph Gordon-Levitt Caught on Video on the Set of New Batman Movie as 'Riddler' Rumors Resurface
Posted 08.12.11 by BrentJS
One of the earliest rumors about Christopher Nolan's new Batman movie, The Dark Knight Rises, held that Joseph Gordon-Levitt would be starring as the enigmatic Riddler, one of the primary villains in Batman's rogues gallery in the DC comic books on which the movie is based. The rumor originated before the movie even had a title, back when the director's brother, Jonathan Nolan, was still working on the script, and pretty much evaporated after Gordon-Levitt signed on to play John Blake," a Gotham City beat cop."
The Riddler rumor resurfaced recently when Hypable published a partial cast list for TDKR that includes "Edward Nygma" as one of the characters. As Bat-fans know, "E. Nygma" (get it, enigma?) is one of the alter-egos of the Riddler in the comic books. While Hypable's anonymous "legitimate source" does not inspire confidence that the cast list is legit, we started to think there just might be something to the rumor when the first video footage of Gordon-Levitt on the set of the movie popped up online.
In the video, Gordon-Levitt can be seen nonchalantly walking behind a militarized 'Tumbler' (aka Batmobile) as it cruises the streets of Gotham (Pittsburgh standing in for the fictional city). Gordon-Levitt is definitely not in police garb, doesn't seem the least bit concerned about the Tumbler, and he is carrying an old gas can as he walks toward an orphanage (according to the photographer)!
Granted, there's clearly not enough shown here to suggest he's the Riddler, a member of Ra's al Ghul's (Josh Pence) League of Shadows, one of Bane's (Tom Hardy) henchmen, or any of the other nefarious characters rabid fans are speculating he might be playing. However, his clothing, demeanor and that gas can make it seem unlikely that he's playing a simple "beat cop" either. Use the comment tool below to tell us if you think Gordon-Levitt is playing the Riddler (or some other character) and what you think might be happening in the scene in the video.
Next Showing: The Dark Knight Rises opens July 20, 2012