Paul Dano is Edward Nashton aka "The Riddler"

[HammerDown]

Not much to go on about.
He isn't in the trailer that much.

Having said that and looking at some of Paul Dano work he naturally has an eerie quality to him.

 

[WatchProtect]

He seems just as angry as Bruce is. When he does the Riddler and says "You are" he sounds seethingly angry

 

[AndyTrevino]

Want

 

[Mindreaper21]

Does anyone know what tool/weapon that Riddler has here?

 

[AndyTrevino]

Does anyone know what tool/weapon that Riddler has here?

Apparently it's an ice pick.

 

[Art Vandelay]

Want

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Yeah, this is definitely not a guy who owns a suit and bowler hat.

 

[BrollySupersj]

I think adding a bowler or fedora hat might have topped off this look they're going with.

 

[Art Vandelay]

I think adding a bowler or fedora hat might have topped off this look they're going with.

How? Unless you think he's a neckbeard, a hat would be at odds with the rest of his outfit.

 

[Razor Crest]

He looks like he gets a $6 haircut at Supercuts and I love it.

 

[GothamCity]

They hide alot about the ridder in the trailer.

So first he gets arrested, breaks out and takes revenge?
Or is the arrest one of the last scenes, interesting.

 

[Gothamsknight]

They hide alot about the ridder in the trailer.

So first he gets arrested, breaks out and takes revenge?
Or is the arrest one of the last scenes, interesting.

I honestly have a hunch it could be the opening scene. Either that or the murder from the beginning of the first teaser.

 

[GothamCity]

I honestly have a hunch it could be the opening scene. Either that or the murder from the beginning of the first teaser.

Its one big riddle for now.

 

[Gothamsknight]

Its one big riddle for now.

As it should be haha

 

[weezerspider]

Want

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I find it kind of weird and funny that I will own an action figure that looks just like a real life serial killer.

 

[DKDetective]

So it has crossed my mind that Riddler's masked aesthetic is inspired by Scorpio from Dirty Harry:

Which is bloody awesome.

 

[BatLobster]

No idea how intentional, but my wife commented on how the glasses over the mask look reminded her of The Invisible Man:

 

[The Shape]

No idea how intentional, but my wife commented on how the glasses over the mask look reminded her of The Invisible Man:

Certainly similar looking to that, but definitely more so inspired by the mask Zodiac was said to have worn for at least one of his kills. Along with the symbol on his chest.

 

[BatLobster]

It's always interesting to see how various influences come together to form something new and (hopefully) iconic. Though I will say the way they made the question mark logo so closely resemble the Zodiac symbol is risking feeling bit too on the nose for me. But it's a nitpick.

 

[BrollySupersj]

How? Unless you think he's a neckbeard, a hat would be at odds with the rest of his outfit.

Meh I don't think so. I like those types of hats so that's largely my reason.

 

[Gamma Goliath]

It's always interesting to see how various influences come together to form something new and (hopefully) iconic. Though I will say the way they made the question mark logo so closely resemble the Zodiac symbol is risking feeling bit too on the nose for me. But it's a nitpick.

I wonder if he's inspired by the real life zodiac killer, hence why he modled himself so closely to the look.

 

[Art Vandelay]

He looks like he gets a $6 haircut at Supercuts and I love it.

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Yes, this is why I think any hat, bowler or fedora, would be at odds with the rest of his outfit. He's decked out entirely in army surplus, with the "$6 haircut" and army issued glasses, I just think he looks like a loner. I can't imagine he has any sense (or interest) in style or clothing, so a hat and suit would likely not even be something he has in his closet.

 

[JubJub86]

This really does feel like a guy potentially helping Batman out down the line (from Arkham of course, haha). He's a maniac, sure, but he seemingly has pretty specific goals and likely wouldn't take kindly to random-anarchy Joker type shenanigans.

Kind of like that "Hannibal Lecter's a monster, but at least he doesn't like rude people" schtick.

Especially if Bruce takes on board what Nashton/Nygma's getting at, and looks into the corruption stuff going forward (after introducing Edward to his shiney new straitjacket and creepy wardens/orderlies), could definitely see a...not "redemption", but a bit of a grudging respect building and a willingness to help when the city's gone even more to hell.

 

[Deck Rickard]

Very interesting that you never see his face in the trailer. Do you think he’s disfigured in some way? Or maybe tattooed? In that Fandome featurette they showed a comic book version that looked like he had a question mark branded onto his forehead… maybe Dano has something similar?

I also wonder if there’s something related to cold temperatures at play here. Nashton is shown wearing a mask that’s used for surviving in extreme cold. And now we see him wielding an ice pick. I doubt any of this is going to lead to Mr. Freeze but maybe part of what turned Nashton into a psycho involved being tortured via frostbite or something. I dunno, just spitballing here.

 

[JubJub86]

I don't think it'll relate to Freeze in any way, but yeah, the cold weather motif's intriguing. We've got a military-type mask designed specifically for the cold, an ice pick on the toy...

It's strange, as far as the Riddler goes. Could be as simple as Matt liked the aesthetic of the mask, decided to extrapolate from there with the heavy coat and pick etc. But yeah, hadn't thought about disfigurement, could be a possibility. Who the hell knows.

 

[The Shape]

I love the fact that they are "hiding" Paul Dano's face in the trailers and marketing. It means very little to us hardcore obsessive fans), but they are definitely taking advantage of the fact that at least 80%-90% of the general movie-going public have no idea who Paul Dano is, have never heard of him, won't be following the production of the film like we are, and won't be reading credits or watching behind the scenes interviews and what not. Even those non-film geeks who may know of him likely doesn't even know him by name and possibly would have a hard time recognizing him until he is front and center in the film and speaking lines of dialogue.

It's an excellent tool to preserve the mystery at the center of The Batman for most viewers, and something that would not be remotely possible if a huge star like Jim Carrey was playing the role.

I'd wager that much like Seven and other films, Paul Dano will likely be featured in the background of certain early scenes or will bump into one of the characters without them (or most viewers) realizing who he is and that he is the Riddler until it is ultimately revealed. The filmmakers and marketing team should really keep this going up until the very end and the film is released.