What If David Tennant Had Been Cast As The Riddler In The Dark Knight 2

If David Tennant had been cast as the Riddler in The Dark Knight Rises, as was widely rumored in the film’s early stages, the movie would have been entirely different. Instead of focusing on a large-scale battle, the film might have continued Heath Ledger’s legacy as the Joker, showcasing a psychopathic villain and telling a subtler, character-driven story. Tennant would have brought depth and realism to the comic book supervillain, giving his conflict with Batman a more personal and Machiavellian touch instead of engaging in a grandiose battle.

Following Tennant’s tenure on Doctor Who, the Scottish actor was free to pursue all kinds of projects, including some major Hollywood blockbusters. As the popularity of Doctor Who rose in America, Tennant was no longer limited to movies and TV shows in the United Kingdom. When news broke that the Riddler, a.k.a. Edward Nygma, might be featured in Christopher Nolan’s sequel to The Dark Knight, fans quickly congregated online to put forth Tennant as a candidate. Tennant became a fan favorite for the role, although more well-known American actors were also considered.

The idea to include the Riddler in The Dark Knight Rises eventually faded due to Nolan deciding to move away from the Joker’s mind games in favor of an imposing physical threat, Bane. But Tennant’s Riddler would have undoubtedly made for an excellent adaptation, especially paired with Nolan’s ability to connect comic book storylines to the real world. If Tennant had been cast as the Riddler, he would have presented a uniquely different challenge to Bruce Wayne, continuing the story of the billionaire’s personal growth and perhaps giving his story a more meaningful ending.

David Tennant Was Linked To The Riddler After Doctor Who

After David Tennant left Doctor Who, ending his nearly five-year reign as one of the most popular Time Lords in Russell T. Davies’ reboot, rumors abounded as to his next project. The classically-trained Tennant displayed a wide range of acting ability during his time as the Tenth Doctor, able to make viewers laugh one minute and cry the next, moving from lighthearted humor to tragic monologues in the blink of an eye. The dexterity and depth Tennant showed on Doctor Who seemed to leave every door open to him, including one into Christopher Nolan’s next Hollywood blockbuster, The Dark Knight Rises. 

As production began on the Batman sequel, fans of The Dark Knight and Doctor Who took to the internet to lobby producers to cast Tennant as the franchise’s rumored next villain, The Riddler. Tennant’s role as the occasionally arrogant, always intelligent, and energetic Doctor made it easy to imagine him stepping into the shoes of the Riddler, an egotistical lawbreaker who leaves behind clues in the form of riddles and word games. Tennant’s fast-talking Doctor, who could display a darker edge at the drop of a hat, made him a fan favorite for the psychopathic Gothamite.

The Riddler Was Persistently Rumored For The Dark Knight Rises

Following Nolan’s critical and commercial success with The Dark Knight — and in particular, his adaptation of the Joker, played by Heath Ledger — producers encouraged him to put another well-known comic book character on the big screen. Warner Bros.’ initial proposal for a Dark Knight sequel used the Riddler as the primary antagonist, perhaps in an effort to perpetuate Nolan’s gritty and dark filmmaking style. Riddler had not been seen on film since the 1995 movie Batman Forever, directed by Joel Schumacher. In that movie, Edward Nygma was portrayed by Jim Carrey, highlighting the character’s comedic rather than narcissistic tendencies.

Following the studio’s suggestion, reports that the Riddler would be included in The Dark Knight Rises abounded, with Leonardo DiCaprio, Johnny Depp, and David Tennant all suggested as possible casting choices. Before the final script was written, however, Nolan decided to go a different route, using Bane as the main villain. The choice was allegedly made because Nolan felt that the Riddler would not fit as well into his realistic portrayal of Batman and Gotham City.

What Tennant’s Riddler Might Have Been Like

Tennant’s Riddler in The Dark Knight Rises would likely have been a complex criminal mastermind, amoral and uncaring of anything except for the next game. Fans of Tennant got a peek at his ability to play a supervillain when he was cast as Kilgrave in Jessica Jones. Tennant’s spine-tingling performance showed Kilgrave using his powers without hesitation, unable to understand why he shouldn’t simply have everything he wants. In the show, Kilgrave had no respect for human life or consent, tracking Jessica with a fanatic devotion that often resulted in the death or torture of innocents.

Tennant’s performance in Jessica Jones turned Kilgrave from an outrageous powermonger into an insidious stalker with a taste for the good life — the worst version of male power. Although Kilgrave had no understanding of right or wrong, Tennant’s portrayal humanized the character, making his willingness to manipulate others that much more frightening. Tennant’s Riddler would likely have a similar sociopathic edge, favoring mind games over mayhem.

Tennant’s version of E. Nygma would have haunted Batman at every turn, putting together deadly puzzles impossible to win and creating torturous experiences in pursuit of a good game. Tennant’s Riddler may also have had a mad glint in his eye, leaning toward unbalanced and delusional, similar to his role as Barty Crouch Junior in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Tennant has shown a capacity for humor in a number of roles, such as Crowley in Good Omens, but it’s unlikely he would bring that lightheartedness into Nolan’s Gotham City. More likely, Tennant would bring an unforeseen depth to the character, engaging with broader narratives. As viewers saw in Broadchurch, even when Tennant plays a good guy like Alec Hardy, his character is not without demons.

How Tennant’s Riddler Would Have Changed The Dark Knight Rises

With Bane as the main villain in The Dark Knight Rises, the movie focuses on the physical rather than the mental. Bruce Wayne turns inward to find the strength and fortitude to beat Bane, who is equally strong and skilled. Batman, who can usually subdue enemies in seconds, faces an unprecedented challenge in Bane. But aside from Miranda’s role as a double agent and her subsequent betrayal, the movie is free from intellectual challenges.

If The Dark Knight Rises had replaced Bane with Riddler, it would have focused more on Batman’s intelligence and crime-solving ability. Instead of thwarting large-scale bank heists or nuclear bombs, Bruce Wayne might have faced a string of unusual murders or a trail of cryptic clues. Strategy and gadgetry would have played a large role. Ultimately, the final conflict wouldn’t have been between Batman and Bane, with the fate of Gotham on the line, but between Batman and himself, with his own future hanging in the balance.

About The Author

Jasmine Gallup
(115 Articles Published)

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Jasmine Gallup is a writer for ScreenRant, covering fantasy, science fiction and superheroes. She’s worked as a freelance reporter since 2018.

By day, Jasmine writes for a small North Carolina newspaper near her hometown of Cary. By night, she explores the depths of film and television alongside her twin sister.

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