Rumor: Joseph Gordon-Levitt as The Riddler?

As rumors go, this one sounds more plausible than most. Alex Billington at First Showing says he’s heard from a “reliable insider source” who’s seen The Riddler on the cast grid for Nolan’s Batman 3. Stirring up significant chatter is the additional detail that Joseph Gordon-Levitt is “interested.” Collider attempts to substantiate the situation:

Casting grids like the one currently hanging out at Warner Bros. are often used as a means of organizing a project’s progress while keeping agencies in the know as to which roles are available for potential actors. As such, the report itself is more indicative of The Riddler’s inclusion in the film than Gordon-Levitt’s. Moreover, it is important to note that simply because an actor and studio may have mutual interest in a project does not mean it will come to fruition.

… But given Nolan‚Äôs track record of re-teaming with actors he has worked with in the past (will the great Michael Caine ever not appear in another Nolan flick?), I would have to think that Gordon-Levitt‚Äôs work in Inception would put him in a solid position to appear if scheduling and the countless other elements that go into casting for a studio film fall into place.

This for me falls into the category of “something I wish so much to be true that I’m eager to believe it.” All the blogs joining in on the speculation congo line this morning seems to agree that this alleged casting grid is rock-solid evidence of The Riddler’s involvement in Batman 3. But it’s wise to approach Gordon-Levitt’s involvement with admirable caution. If you think have a better idea for Batman’s next nemesis, let’s hear it.