The Riddler Returns?

Riddle me this: Who’s freaked out about getting stuck in superhero roles forever while dreaming of classy collaborations with highbrow directors like Olivier Assayas? Certainly not Paul Dano! The talented actor took a break from promoting his latest project, the comedic thriller The Wizard of the Kremlin, to spill the beans on his desire to reprise his role as Edward Nashton, aka the Riddler, from the hit flick The Batman.

A Riddler TV Show? Why Not!

When the fine folks at Clique TV nudged Dano about doing a Riddler-themed show, he jumped right in with a resounding “Why not?!” But of course, he adds, “We gotta keep the bar high.” And hey, he’s not wrong! The Batman certainly set that bar super high.

Hitting the High Notes

Fans and critics alike adored The Batman, calling it one of the best superhero flicks ever (for real!). Meanwhile, The Penguin had a bit of a rollercoaster ride with reviews but still managed to snag some Emmy love for Cristin Milioti. Even in a world drowning in superhero stories, directors like Matt Reeves and stars like Dano and Robert Pattinson found a way to whip up something fresh and fabulous!

Getting Inside the Riddler’s Head

For Dano, it’s all about the emotional depth of the characters. Instead of portraying the Riddler merely as some brainiac out to outsmart Batman, Dano peels back the layers to reveal a tragic backstory. He sees the Riddler as an orphan, much like Batman, grappling with a pretty rough upbringing and some serious issues. “This guy thought he had a deep connection with Batman,” Dano explained, diving into the psyche of his character. “I loved that twist where the villain connects with the hero.”

Riddler’s Backstory

Speaking of depth, Dano has crafted Nashton’s character with such finesse that he even penned a six-issue prequel comic for DC, complete with illustrations by Stevan Subic. This comic dishes out the backstory of Nashton, detailing how he became an orphan and how he developed a vendetta against the Wayne family and gangster Carmine Falcone for his tragic past—a belief that ultimately transforms him into the Riddler.

What About a Riddler Show?

Now, while this comic could lay the groundwork for a Riddler series, don’t hold your breath just yet. Although The Batman: Part II hit the screens in 2022, it’s still bopping along in preproduction. Major stars like Scarlett Johansson and Sebastian Stan are only now being roped in. Plus, the entire DC landscape has shifted since the first movie launched, and head honchos James Gunn and Peter Safran are busy spinning out several unrelated Bat-projects, including a flick called Batman: The Brave and the Bold.

The Future Is Bright?

But don’t lose hope! Gunn has been nothing but kind about Reeves’s direction and insists he’ll give the green light to any project with a killer script. And thanks to the depth and uniqueness Dano brings, a potential Riddler show already has tackled two of the biggest hurdles: a killer story and a fantastic star to lead it!

Mark Your Calendars

The Batman: Part II is set to hit theaters on October 1, 2027, so prepare yourselves!