The Dark Knight Rises Riddle Me This: The Riddler Characterization Thread

[COMPO]

mmmm, be cool if he was a detective who wanted the thrill of finding out a crime but found it boring so turned to crime wanting to get a thrill.

 

[HitMe]

not strictly related to characterization but very funny nonetheless:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFEgnbf8ekM&feature=related

don't know if anyone has posted this here before, but you'll have to watch for a few minutes to realise why it's at all relevant

 

[COMPO]

should the Riddler find out who Batman is?

 

[jmc]

If you think about it, it really should be that hard for the Riddler to work it out.

On a character portrayal note, I just finished watching The Usual Suspects for the umpteenth time, what are people's thoughts on a Keyser Söze type scenario for the Riddler? i.e, The character is made to look weak and a pathetic loser but is in fact the mastermind of the operation, whatever it may be.

 

[Ryan]

I love the Keyser Soze idea. Whether its that character of Keyser or John Doe in Seven, I think Kevin Spacey would have made a truly chilling Riddler. I would not want to see him get the role now however.

 

[RetroNaz]

Keyser Soze/John Doe.

Now there's the perfect Riddler right there. Maybe even throw in a little K-Pax to complete the collection...okay maybe not lol.

 

[ronny]

If you think about it, it really should be that hard for the Riddler to work it out.

On a character portrayal note, I just finished watching The Usual Suspects for the umpteenth time, what are people's thoughts on a Keyser Söze type scenario for the Riddler? i.e, The character is made to look weak and a pathetic loser but is in fact the mastermind of the operation, whatever it may be.

But The Riddler IS a weak and pathetic loser. That's what makes the character tick. His constant longing for respect and recognition.

 

[COMPO]

Who's K-Pax?

 

[Ekricket]

"Whats the difference between what you do and what I do?"

"I'm not wearing hockey pants"

Could the Riddler be a leader/member of Citizens for Batman, who discouraged by Douglass' death, goes on a crusade to challenge Batman, who he sees as letting down and abandoning the organization that was trying to help him?

BigEd from the CFB forum? Big Edward? He always sounded discouraged, like he wanted them to do more or always be part of something bigger.

 

[Nightwing 52]

The Keyser/Doe example is ideal for Riddler.

Come to think of it - Doe says something that somewhat reminds me of Riddler if he were ever to do something terrible with one of his riddles.

"I'm setting the example. What I've done is going to be puzzled over and studied and followed...forever."

But The Riddler IS a weak and pathetic loser. That's what makes the character tick. His constant longing for respect and recognition.

Exactly. Which is why he's always looking to outthink Batman as his "intellectual superior" or who's the better detective. Which he's never succesful at. Thus continuing to drive him insane.

 

[COMPO]

yeah that quote is kind of Riddlerish. I'd like Riddler to be have theorised that Gordon is lying about the Two-Face and kind of stalks Gordon to try and get the truth out of him

Either that or he's part of the main villain's gang but is sort of the "snitch" of the group because he can't help but leave clues for people to find out the crime.

 

[RetroNaz]

Who's K-Pax?

Sorry, a character that Kevin Spacey played in a film by the same name (also stars Jeff Bridges).

Good flick, I recommend!

 

[COMPO]

yeah, I might check it out, Kevin Spacey is a good actor like hope they bring him back for the Next Superman film because I thought his Lex Luthor was good, he was pretty dark.

 

[RetroNaz]

A very off kilter pick here guys, but the dude that plays Sheldon Cooper from the Big Bang Theory certainly has the lanky frame and quirky look. Not sure if he has the chops to play the Riddler though.

I'm not saying he's my pick, but thought I'd throw the name out there to see if it sticks.

 

[COMPO]

yeah i could see that he does kind of have a Riddler type ego in the show.

 

[RetroNaz]

If he pulled it back a little (less A.D.D) and gave it a bit of a darker twist then he wouldn't be so bad. But I've never seen him in anything outside of Big Bang Theory so I'm not even sure if he's capable.

 

[Ryan]

Back on page 80 I had put
"As for quotes, I would have loved the Riddler to deliver one of John Doe's final lines in Seven. "I'm setting the example. What I've done is going to be puzzled over and studied and followed... forever.

Then end the movie with a either a riddle or an answer to a riddle that leaves people talking about it as the exit the theatre.

Retronaz--I laughed out loud when you used the K-pax reference. lol

 

[RetroNaz]

Back on page 80 I had put
"As for quotes, I would have loved the Riddler to deliver one of John Doe's final lines in Seven. "I'm setting the example. What I've done is going to be puzzled over and studied and followed... forever.

Then end the movie with a either a riddle or an answer to a riddle that leaves people talking about it as the exit the theatre.

Retronaz--I laughed out loud when you used the K-pax reference. lol

That would be sweet. I certainly don't want to see him dead, so an ending like that would be cool.

Glad you enjoyed the reference, lol.

 

[COMPO]

If he pulled it back a little (less A.D.D) and gave it a bit of a darker twist then he wouldn't be so bad. But I've never seen him in anything outside of Big Bang Theory so I'm not even sure if he's capable.

Yeah i get what you mean I've seen him in School of Scoundrels but that was just as an extra. He's got a thin Kevin Spacey look so he might do something like that or Nolan may use Seven as inspiration as he used Heat for the Dark Knight.

Back on page 80 I had put
"As for quotes, I would have loved the Riddler to deliver one of John Doe's final lines in Seven. "I'm setting the example. What I've done is going to be puzzled over and studied and followed... forever.

Then end the movie with a either a riddle or an answer to a riddle that leaves people talking about it as the exit the theatre.

Retronaz--I laughed out loud when you used the K-pax reference. lol

The riddle could be about a villain for the next film, since nolan likes to do that with the Batman movies, BB=the Joker, TDK=Batman on the run.

That would be sweet. I certainly don't want to see him dead, so an ending like that would be cool.

Glad you enjoyed the reference, lol.

They could go with his first appearance were he got caught in an explosion and left a question mark with Batman concluding that he's left them a riddle of whether he lived or died.

 

[Rodrigo90]

In my story. Gordon enters his final challenge,where Nashton is waiting. But of course Batman shows up and saves the day,but is also nearly killed.

After Nashton has been caught,he tells everyone that Batman and Gordon are still working together. Gordon is questioned by the Mayor,and he tells Garcia the truth. Garcia says he will keep it a secret and plays along by suspending Gordon as Commissioner, pending inquiries.

Agent Bullock,who is baffled by Edwards revelations,questions him. Edward however cons Bullock by announcing he knows who Batman is. By good convincing,Bullock helps Edward escape so that he may catch Batman and get to the bottom of the situation.

Edward bases his new alias on his philosophical views on life and the favourite aspect of his challenges,riddles. He becomes The Riddler.

Riddler then sets up his challenges for Batman,so that may have a worthy challenge,to prove he is the smartest man alive,and to unlock the riddle that is Batman.

 

[Rodrigo90]

After being caught, Batman is subjected to Riddler's interview. He claims being a former detective, who has caught dozens of criminals, he can deduct who Batman is without removing his Mask.

Riddler examines Batman's gadgets and realises that they must be from somewhere who has objects like that...Wayne Enterprises. Riddler continues by deducting that someone only with high authority in the company can gain access to them. He then hacks into the companies files and narrows down the suspects.

After more investigation. Edward laughs upon realising that Bruce Wayne couldnt be Batman...but he is. Riddler congratulates Bruce for being smart. He says Bruce is like a criminal,lying and putting on a false act in order to fool people, as criminals do. But Riddler cant understand the whole thing about Batman murdering people and begins to start another investigation,but Batman manages to escape his trap. Riddler flees and vows to get the bottom of the mystery surrounding the murders and the challenges will be tough.

 

[COMPO]

mmmm, i don't really like the idea of Riddler finding the secret out so easily.

 

[RetroNaz]

They might not even have Riddler interested in Batman's identity, so much as he is interested in simply besting him.

 

[COMPO]

mmm, I'd be more interested in him being able to best him than him trying to find out who Batman is, 2bh has Riddler ever been interested in that other than in Hush? cos every riddler story I've read is him just trying to best him.

 

[RetroNaz]

I think you're right Compo.

And honestly, the whole finding out Batman's secret id has been done to death.

Schumacher's batman films did it with his Riddler.