The Dark Knight Rises Robin Williams as the Ventriloquist

[Tempest19]

It has been known that Robin Williams was originally 'casted' as the Riddler. But dropped out, don't know the reason.

Recently, Williams has turned more to dark dramas. He typically plays an awkward and timid kind of character who can turn on a dime. See 'One Hour Photo' and 'Insomnia'. 'Insomnia' was William's first dark film, which had him starring against Al Pacino. It was also directed by Christopher Nolan.

Now, at looking at the rogue gallery of villains. I think I found the villain that best fits and may actually be a very interesting character to display on film and especially in the world that Nolan has created. In that the Ventriliquist is a very psychological character, you give this to Nolan and- wow- I have a feeling that he would make this character creepy as hell.

And with that villain, I don't know- but something just fits with the characters that Robin Williams plays. The best character fit that comes to mind is 'One Hour Photo.' Also take in William's impressive abilities of coming up with multiple voices and alternate personalities- that would be an ideal trait for an actor to portray the Ventriloquist on film. Also with Nolan as the director, having worked with 'dark' Williams before- we'd definitely be in for a treat.

For those unfamiliar with the Ventriloquist, here's a couple of character readouts:

A meek, quiet man, the Ventriloquist plans and executes his crimes through a dummy named Scarface, with the dress and persona of a 1920s gangster, complete with pinstripe suit, cigar, and tommy gun.

Born into a powerful Mafia Family, Arnold Wesker developed multiple personality disorder after seeing his mother murdered by an assassin from a rival Family. Growing up, his only outlet was ventriloquism, which he mastered, forming an act with a dummy he named Scarface. Eventually, the Scarface dummy took on his repressed anger, becoming another personality Wesker was convinced was real. When Wesker turned to crime, he let the Scarface personality do the dirty work, including robbery and murder. Wesker is dominated by the Scarface personality, who barks orders at him and degrades him with verbal abuse, ironically calling him "Dummy." Wesker always submits with a timid "Yes, Mr. Scarface." Wesker was never able to enunciate the letter "b" in his act, and replaces them with the letter "g" instead. Therefore, Scarface will often address his foes as "Gatman and Rogin." In many stories

- Wikipedia

 

[El Payaso]

Great choice indeed.

In fact I prefer him now as Ventriloquist than as Riddler 10 years ago.

 

[batmaluco]

He would be perfect for this role, imo.
About the Ventriloquist: despite being hated or underrated by too many Batman readers, I think it's a really interesting character and can be done in a very dark way, sinister.

 

[The Chairman]

He's definitely an excellent choice, but my picks for the role are:

Woody Allen

or

Bill Murray

 

[StorminNorman]

It has been known that Robin Williams was originally 'casted' as the Riddler. But dropped out, don't know the reason.

Robin Williams was offered the role, he never agreed so he was never cast as the Riddler. (Also, Casted is not a word). Williams would not accept the role unless WB apologized (for what Williams felt) using him to get Nicholson to accept the Joker role in B89.

As far as Robin Williams as the Ventriloquist - he would probably nail the perfomance, it is good casting.

 

[NinjaTurtleFan]

Well he has worked with Nolan before and can do voice impersonations. So I could see him doing Scarface's voice as like maybe a Brando impression or something between the lines of Al Pacino meets Deniro.

(Personally I would prefer either Gandolfini, Pacino, or Deniro voicing Scarface and Williams playing The Ventriloquist.)

I also think he could pull it off because he can play quirky, nervous, quiet characters. His "One Hour Photo" character is a prime example and he also can play a really dark, twisted character like his "Death to Smoochy" character and his "Insomnia" villain.

 

[Eddie Dean]

He would rule.

 

[Freedom77]

This would be a great cats imo, also a great character to see in a sequal :P

 

[House_of_El]

Great choice for the Ventriloquist!

 

[Matt.S99]

woody allen would be better

 

[regwec]

Yes and no.

Williams turns in very good performances as both "quiet men" who turn a little sinister and out-and-out nuts. If we were to have a single actor playing V. and Scarface, then Williams would be a good choice. I think, however, that seperate actors for the two roles might be more interesting, in which case I would prefer someone like Joe Pesci as the puppet, leaving the man himself with little to do.

 

[Spider-Fan83]

its Hugh Herner and Vern Troyer as the ventriloquist and scarface LOL

 

[Matt.S99]

perfect team lol vern should be batmite:P

 

[speedracer216]

this is intriguing because i had never considered ventriloquist in the movies and hadn't thought of williams for anything (though i saw his named tossed around in some threads i didn't know why.)

IF they use ventriloquist, williams seems like a strangely natural choice. not sure i'd want to go to the ventriloquist though considering what else is out there and the fact that non-bat fans might just laugh at it rather than get the dark undertones.

 

[Fenryr]

I still think Rick Moranis as the Ventriloquist, with Kevin Pollack as Scarface are the safest bet, pulling a Fight Club/Calvin and Hobbes mindtrick. As long as Wesker's depicted as truly crazy, and it doesn't seem like a hokey gimmick.

 

[batman7289]

its Hugh Herner and Vern Troyer as the ventriloquist and scarface LOL

lol
lol

 

[ico]

Robin Williams would be my personal choice for The Ventriloquist by far. If done well, The Ventriloquist could be an amazingly complex, dark and interesting character to bring to the screens.