Thursday, July 1, 2010

Um, No


I enjoy Robin William's work in movie's sometimes. I have the same problem with him that I do with Jim Carey. He is often too manic a performer and totally distracts me from enjoying the role he is performing.

That style may work on a stand up stage but not in a role like 'The Riddler'. It's rumored that the quizzical villain will be in the next Batman movie by Christopher Nolan.

For my money I would like to see someone like Sam Rockwell take the role. I knew when I saw him do his little stage dance in 'Iron Man II' that he was perfect for the role.

Sure Frank Gorshin made the 'Riddler' a complete nutjob and he was great at it - but my idea of the more updated 'Riddler' is someone more cerebral. One who likes mental puzzles and challenging the hero to a contest of wits. Someone who gives himself away in his choice of clues rather than getting caught because he jumps around like a crazy person. Leave that stuff to the Joker.

I imagine scenes with elaborate puzzle pieces (like the contraptions found in the 'Saw' movies, however, not that gruesome) that Batman must solve before his friends or other innocents die. He can't just punch his way out of the traps. He has to think his way out. This would show a whole other side to the action hero we have seen before in situations where his strength and physical abilities count for nothing.

http://hollywood-spy.blogspot.com/

20 comments:

Unknown said...

Actually, the possibility of Robin Williams in the next Batman movie is good because he costarred opposite Al Pacino in Chris Nolan's film Insomnia. Check it out. You may change your opinion about Williams.

Jeremy [Retro] said...

agree! robin williams could have played the riddler in the 90's batman franchise if they had patrick stewart as mr. freeze... and of course is michael keaton was still the batman.

as to williams' and jim carrey's humor styles... they are always the same. now they have both done their respected roles stepping out of the comedy and should be commended for it.

so in short rockwell would be the header for batman, as i think the actor to reprise the joker [not that they should]... but if did i like james frain [the tudors]

okay i am done...

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Yeah, I'm not too sure about Williams either.

Budd said...

Sawyer from lost could do it. Or Ahbed from Community in order to diversify the role. Ahbed has already done a pretty convincing Batman.

Nick Ward said...

Okay guys bare with me on this one... Aaron Johnson from Kick Ass as the Riddler. Anyone? He's already worn a green suit once.

DEZMOND said...

As I said in my HOLLYWOOD SPY post, and as Tom above says, you should really see Robin in ONE HOUR PHOTO and INSOMNIA and you will see the difference between him and Jim Carrey. While Carrey just can't act dramatically and take on serious roles (TRUMAN SHOW, ETERNAL SUNSHINE...) even when he tries, Robin Williams has proved he has that talent in him as well.

Drake said...

I'm coming out of left field and saying Jason "My Name Is Earl" Lee would make a dandy Riddler.

Psitticine said...

I agree completely on your take of the Riddler's character. I'd like to see something more akin to the way they did it in the Batman: The Animated Series, where he was a dapper, calculating type who had a knack for complex game-like scenarios.

I think one reason Gorshin's Riddler worked so well in the old TV show is that the Joker there wasn't really all that over-the-top. Caesar Romero had a great Joker laugh but wasn't really all that frenetic. That left plenty of room for the spastic Riddler.

Darius Whiteplume said...

With the more serious tone of the new films I am not interested in seeing Williams in one. It just hearkens back to a time when the batsuit had nipples. I know Williams is capable, but he carries too much baggage. I don't typically like his movies, except "The World According to Garp" and "The Fisher King" (where he got to be a total nutjob).

I agree on Rockwell. Or maybe Crispin Glover. Sinister is the key.

Dr. MVM said...

I can't stand him anymore. He's old, unfunny, and obsolete.

Darius Whiteplume said...

@Dr. MVM - just like Steve Martin. I guess sometimes cocaine is a necessary evil? ;-)

DrGoat said...

Well, I kind of agree with Dezmond, he might be able to pull it off well if he does work like he did in The Final Cut. As for Jim Carrey, I got sick of him about 10 yrs ago.
I agree that the Riddler (comic book Riddler) was maniacal, but also a sinister, clever adversary that deserves a good choice in actor to portray him.

JBond said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
JBond said...

I'd be fine with Robin Williams as the Riddler from his work in 'One Our Photo' and 'Insomnia' gave me the correct chills.

That being said I don't think the studio will go this old for a new villain. They'd probably pick someone more Heath Ledger/Cilian Murphy/Aaron Eckhart/Christian Bale age. They'd probably cast Robin Williams as the Riddler's demented father (if he had one) before casting him as the actual Riddler. Wouldn't you agree?

Ally said...

don't tell my hubs, but sometimes I think he looks like Robin Williams. Saw is so awful. I hate violence in films, I'm such a baby.

Lazarus Lupin said...

Robin Williams was creepy in both One Hour Photo and Insomnia so he COULD pull it off. The problem is that the PTB (Powers That Be) seem to always want to jerk comic films in the direction of overdone camp. No doubt they are thinking of the "manic" Williams. I like your suggestion Sam works well. I would have picked Hugo Weaving because 1) he's had experience with big blockbuster, 2) you can believe him both being A) sinister and B) cerebral, and 3) EYEBROWS EYEBROWS EYEBROWS...

Lazarus Lupin
http://strangespanner.blogspot.com/
Arts and Reviews

Pat Tillett said...

He's not my cup of tea! I agree he's just too darn Manic. He'l like Jonathan Winters on speed...

TS Hendrik said...

Sounds like an ugly horrible rumor. Hiss hiss spit spit. (apparently it brought my inner cat as a way of defending myself)

Megan said...

Too old.

Psitticine said...

I second the idea of Hugo Weaving! He'd be excellent in the role.