Yesterday was a semi-significant day in movie blogger history, comparative to the invention of the “Who Farted?” t-shirt. When TDK actor and beloved old geezer, Michael Caine, told MTV that a Warner Bros. exec had mentioned Johnny Depp for The Riddler and Philip Seymour Hoffman for The Penguin in Batman 3 (the borderline fan-fic sequel, hence the title), enlightened movie bloggers posted, podcasted, Twittered, filmed and pissed in snow diatribes like: “Enough!” “We have standards!” “This is bullshit, don’t get me started on Big Willie for Capt!” “I’m not going to mention it, but I am mentioning it, clever, innit?” Fitting then that MTV decided to ask Senor Hoffman what the deal is at the TIFF (not at the tres ghetto VMAs)…
“No one has talked to me about it ever — never,” replied Hoffman. “It happened, like, five years ago, too. It was a rumor back then and it’s still a rumor. [laughs] It’s just in the press. It’s funny.”
Ha. But wait. Depp has said that while the villain rumor is categorically unfounded The Riddler would be “fun.” How about a little fun?
“I don’t know. I think I’m more interested in seeing someone else do it. I don’t know if I’d be a good Penguin to be quite honest. [laughs]”
Orly? But what is the possibility that Hoffman then put on a monocle, scarfed a sardine and excitedly texted Cher and Depp and Nolan and DeVito with “They frickin’ bought it”? Twittle me that, because I’m a believer.