According to Empire magazine, Warner Bros. originally had their eye on Leonardo DiCaprio for The Dark Knight Rises. David Goyer, who co-wrote Nolan’s Batman trilogy, told the magazine that at the premiere for The Dark Knight, Warner Bros. executives were discussing plans for The Dark Knight Rises, more specifically, who should be the villain.
“It’s gonna be The Riddler, and we want it to be Leonardo DiCaprio,” said one Warner Bros. executive.
There’s no reason given for why DiCaprio didn’t end up joining The Dark Knight Rises but it’s still interesting to think that he could have potentially been in the film.
Personally, I can’t really see him playing a character like The Riddler but who knows, it may have worked out. It also would have been nice to see him re-unite with Christopher Nolan.
What do you think? Can you see DiCaprio as The Riddler?