The Riddler could make a return — but only if the story reaches a truly high creative standard.
Recently, Paul Dano shared that he would consider reprising Edward Nashton in a television series set within Matt Reeves’ The Batman Epic Crime Saga. However, at the same time, he made it clear that quality — above all else — would ultimately be the deciding factor.
Story Quality Will Determine if The Riddler Comes Back
When asked about the possibility of a Riddler-focused show similar to The Penguin, Dano responded with cautious optimism.
“Why not, if we can do something really good?”
He quickly added, “You’ve got to keep the bar high.”
Dano, for his part, praised the creative standards established by The Batman and The Penguin. In particular, he highlighted the depth and ambition that defined both projects. According to him, therefore, any character moving forward would need to meet that same high level of storytelling quality and narrative ambition.
Why the Riddler Worked in The Batman
The character resonated because of his psychological complexity, not just his elaborate puzzles or violent crimes, Dano explained.es or violent crimes.
He described Edward Nashton as:
“An orphan like Batman… with a really traumatic upbringing.”
In Dano’s view, the villain worked because he falsely believed he shared a deep connection with Bruce Wayne. That emotional distortion gave the character a disturbing and tragic layer.
One of Dano’s favorite aspects of the role was:
“That the villain saw himself in line with the hero.”
This emotional mirroring added depth to the film and created one of the most unsettling dynamics in Reeves’ Gotham.
Dano Expanded the Character Beyond the Film
Dano’s commitment to the role extended beyond the screen. He wrote a six-issue DC prequel comic that explored Nashton’s past in greater detail. The comic explores his traumatic upbringing, his growing hatred toward the Wayne family, and his deep resentment of Carmine Falcone.
That storyline, in turn, could provide a strong narrative foundation for a future series and, as a result, make a character feel earned rather than forced.
At this time, however, no character-focused show is officially in development. Instead, The Batman: Part II remains in preproduction.
Meanwhile, DC Studios leadership has shifted under James Gunn, who has publicly praised Matt Reeves’ Batman universe. Additionally, Gunn has expressed openness to spin-offs — provided, of course, that the scripts meet a high creative standard.
Consequently, the door remains slightly open for a potential The Riddler return, particularly if a compelling creative direction emerges in the near future.
What’s Next for The Batman Universe?
Meanwhile, The Batman: Part II is currently scheduled to release on October 1, 2027. As previously confirmed, the sequel will continue Reeves’ grounded take on Gotham and its complex villains, further expanding the darker, character-driven world he established in the first film.
Whether or not Dano returns in a standalone project, his portrayal of Edward Nashton remains one of the most psychologically layered villains in modern superhero cinema.
For now, a Riddler Return depends on one thing: a story worthy of the character.
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