18 Oct – Less than a day after reports surfaced of Jonah Hill no longer being in talks to play The Riddler in Matt Reeves' "The Batman", a new name has now been confirmed to play the supervillain. The Hollywood Reporter brought word that Paul Dano, 35, will be the one donning the iconic question mark patterned green suit next. Dano's version of The Riddler also goes by the name Edward Nashton. Not much has been revealed about the character at the moment. Dano was last seen in a movie role in Bong Joon-ho's 2017 action-adventure, "Okja". His previous big screen works include "12 Years a Slave", "Prisoners", "Love & Mercy" and "Little Miss Sunshine". He also directed last year's Jake Gyllenhaal-starrer, "Wildlife".
Aside from Dano, "The Batman" cast currently has Robert Pattinson leading as the titular superhero, Zoe Kravitz playing Catwoman and Jeffrey Wright as Commissioner Gordon. Before Dano was cast, Hill was eyeing either The Riddler or The Penguin role. Deadline reported discussions fell through possibly due to Hill leaning more towards The Riddler but Reeves wanted him for The Penguin. The Riddler made his first appearance in "The Detective Comics #140" in October 1948. The supervillain has been adapted into live-action works on both small and big screens, with Jim Carrey playing him in 1995's "Batman Forever". Reeves is reportedly still searching for an actor to play The Penguin. The director will have to sign one soon before "The Batman" begins filming next January in the U.K., for release in North American cinemas on 25 June 2021.