Edward Nigma a.k.a. The Riddler

The Riddler is another incredibly popular villain who has been around for many decades. Almost everyone probably knows who he is. The character, whose real name is Edward Nigma, is obsessed with riddles and puzzles, both solving them and creating them. He often sends riddles to Batman or the police to challenge them, giving them clues to catch him. It's a way of teasing them with his superior intelligence, something he is very proud of. The question mark is a symbol he associates with, and it can usually be seen not only on his riddles, but also on his outfit. With a color scheme of green, with black or purple highlights, Nigma's wardrobe typically consists of a unitard or a suit and tie, with a domino mask and bowler hat. Sometimes he even carries a staff with a big question mark at the top.

The Riddler has been in live-action media in the past. Most famously by Frank Gorshin in the 1960's Batman show and movie, and by Jim Carrey in the Joel Schumacher directed Batman Forever. In that movie, the character's name was Edward Nygma. Although I enjoy those portrayals, I think they both really missed the mark when it comes to what makes the character unique and interesting. The Riddler has also been portrayed in many animated shows, such as Batman: The Animated Series, and later The Batman, in which a very outside the box gothic interpretation of the character was something I found very intriguing. The character was also present in the video game Batman: Arkham Asylum in voice only, taunting Batman to solve riddles and find trophies hidden all over the island. He was again present in the sequel Batman: Arkham City, but this time appeared in person. I haven't played Arkham City, but judging from the trailer I saw and what I've read about The Riddler's part in the game, I feel it's another example of the designers going way overboard with or going in the wrong direction with the dark and gritty aesthetic. Riddler seemed more like a villain from one of the Saw movies, and that's an approach I just don't find to be at all interesting.

Before Christopher Nolan had even begun development on The Dark Knight Rises, it was rumored that The Riddler would be the main villain, and that he would be played by Johnny Depp. It was recently revealed that the studio wanted The Riddler to be the main villain as well, but instead wanted him to be played by Leonardo DiCaprio. Personally, I'd much rather see Edward Nigma being played by Jason Isaacs.

I know that this one is also basically type-casting considering Isaacs is no stranger to playing villains. Captain Hook, Lucius Malfoy, Colonol Tavington. He also played "pretty much the smartest man on the planet" in Armageddon. I just think he's perfect for this role though.

Speaking of which, Edward Nigma should be pretty much the smartest man on the planet, or at least in Gotham City. He should be a nerd, but a cool nerd. Vast intellect and intelligence, perhaps superior to even that of Bruce Wayne's and Lucius Fox's. Although it's a trait that is usually underutilized in the movies, Batman is a highly skilled detective. The elaborate puzzles and riddles that Nigma creates would be the perfect way to show Batman's brilliant detective skills. Nigma would kind of be a Professor Moriarty to Batman's Holmes. The riddles and puzzles would be incredibly difficult to solve too. The riddles in Batman Forever were just ridiculously stupid. Nigma should also be a lot more quiet and a lot less flamboyant than he has been in certain previous portrayals. A pleased smirk rather than a maniacal laugh seems like it would better fit the character, while also differentiating him from Joker.

As for the visual aspects of the Riddler character, I'd cut down a little on his obsession with question marks. There wouldn't be any question marks on his tie or his suit. The question marks would still exist on his riddles, and he would use it as a symbol, but that's it. He absolutely wouldn't have a unitard, but would wear suits. He would wear glasses instead of a domino mask, and would use a cane rather than carry a question mark staff. The character's affinity for the color green could be a lot more subtle. I imagine the character having a huge library with a desk, and on the desk would be one of those banker's lamps with the green glass shade. Stuff like that.

I think that things from our modern world could be used to update the character in really interesting ways, making him especially relevant considering certain things that have been happening in recent years. Possibly more relevant than he ever has been before. I imagine an approach inspired by Julian Assange, Anonymous, and even the graffiti artist Banksy. Edward Nigma could be a hacker (or hacktivist) and "The Riddler" could be his handle. Maybe the name "Edward Nigma" could even be an alias the character uses, since it's maybe a little too silly a name to be realistic, and his real name could be unknown. He could use the question mark as his avatar or logo. Anonymous has actually been known to use an image with a man in a suit with no head, who has a question mark floating above him.

Thinking about this internet age approach to the character, the marketing possibilities for a movie with The Riddler in it are pretty exciting as well. Early on in the promotion of The Dark Knight, there was a viral marketing campaign, which you can read about on the Wikipedia page for The Dark Knight. It featured websites, clues, hidden messages, scavenger hunts. There has also been an arguably less complex and less inspired viral campaign for The Dark Knight Rises. If there is one character a viral marketing campaign for a movie is perfect for, it's definitely Edward Nigma. An elaborate series of interweaving puzzles, riddles, and scavenger hunts on the internet seems exactly like something a modern real-life Riddler might do. And just imagine what could be done with it.