THE OBENSON REPORT

Covering Cinema From All Across The African Diaspora

Happy Holidays!

fyi
I'll be M.I.A. from now until Friday afternoon.


Merry Christmas to all who celebrate the holiday!

I'll leave you with this rumor that's been circulating the web for the last few days, but is still unverified, although the reporter who announced the news continues to stand by his story.

Eddie Murphy has reportedly been cast as The Riddler in the next Batman movie.

Of course, Warner Bros. immediately shot down the report as untrue, but Gordon Smart, the U.K.-based reporter for
The Sun, claims his source has very close ties with the production, and refuses to back down.

Smart also claims that the same anonymous source was responsible for another rumor back in 2005 that turned out to be true: the casting of Daniel Craig as the new (at the time) James Bond.

“Everyone had a crack at us when we published that one. I was almost laughed out of conference that day, but it turned out to be spot on," wrote Smart in a recent post on The Guardian's Film Blog. "I wish I had had a bet on it.”

Eddie Murphy as The Riddler? Hmmmmm... I don't know...

Also, be sure to contribute your selections of the top 5 films of 2008. You can do so, and see what others have chosen HERE.

Merry Christmas!

TAO

5 comments:

  1. Undercover Black Man said...
     

    I don't believe it. Matter fact, I'd be willing to bet money.

    Happy holidays, Tambay.

  2. The Obenson Report said...
     

    I can't see it either. But, I won't dismiss it either.

  3. Geniusbastard said...
     

    I really wish people would move away from The Riddler, he is not a good villain.

    The problem with the Batman franchise is they've used all their best villains. Nolan (who I still believe will bow out of the next one) has said he has no interest in The Penguin, nor does he want to deal with any of the more fantastic villains (Mr. Freeze, Clayface, Killer Croc). Catwoman seems the natural choice, but aside from the S/M undertones she lacks the compelling ideology of the Joker or Two-Face...though I imagine some one will be hired to supply her with an ideology.

    How could they possibly want Eddie Murphy anywhere near the most successful superhero franchise of the decade?

  4. The Obenson Report said...
     

    GB - I'm with you on The Riddler. I liken him to the joker. Although, a previous rumor I heard which said that Johnny Depp was being considered to play The Riddler, excited me. The rumor also mentioned Philip Seymour Hoffman as The Penguin, with both villains appearing in the 3rd installment of the revival. That could be a worthwhile combo, especially with those 2 names behind the masks.

    I do think that Nolan will do one more, if only for a complete trifecta. I think he left a few too many doors open with the ending of "The Dark Knight," to walk away from it now.

    If by some miracle Eddie Murphy is casts as The Riddler, definitely expect some fanboy blowback!

  5. Geniusbastard said...
     

    Nolan mentioned that he was a huge fan of Hoffman, but he didn't really want to deal with The Penguin even if PSH agreed to play him.

    The Penguin is Batman's most misunderstood foe. Burton totally botched him in '92 (a big reason I think for Nolan's lack of interest). He's more of a gentleman thief as opposed to a psycho killer, gangster or terrorist, he's a fallen aristocrat (which links him to Bruce Wayne) and he's a narcissist whose self-overestimation is usually what brings him down. I seem to remember someone mentioning Peter Dinklage as a possibility for the Penguin.

    Angie Jolie as the Catwoman seems to be gaining momentum; I think the universe demands to see her in a catsuit with a whip before she goes into her Garbo/retired recluse phase.

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