By this point, we all know that Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice is set to include Lex Luthor and Doomsday as its villains. However, things could have turned out pretty differently, as at one point, both The Joker and The Riddler were going to feature in the film.
In a recent interview with Collider, director Zack Snyder revealed the following:
The Joker and The Riddler both came close to being in this movie. We talked about the possibility of putting them in. [Screenwriter] Chris Terrio and I talked about it a lot and felt that their mythological presence is felt in the movie and that’s cool, but I didn’t want to get my eye too far off the ball because I needed to spend the time, frankly, with Batman and Superman to understand the conflict.
While it would have been exciting to see both of these characters in the film, especially since it’s been a hell of a long time since The Riddler has appeared on the big screen, the decision not to include them makes sense. Not only would it have made Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice more of a Batman movie, but having them as well as Lex Luthor and/or Doomsday would have made things too crowded.
It’s interesting, however, that Snyder says “their mythological presence is felt in the movie.” Does this mean that there will be some hints towards The Riddler making an appearance somewhere down the line? It definitely sounds like it. Perhaps in the solo Batman movie, then? Time will tell.
Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice hits theatres on March 25th, 2016. Just under a week to go now, folks.