Seymour Hoffman debunks Penguin rumours

Phillip Seymour Hoffman has quashed rumours that he is tapped to play The Penguin in the next Batman movie.

“No one has talked to me about it ever — never,” told MTV . “It happened, like, five years ago, too. It was a rumor back then and it’s still a rumor. It’s just in the press. It’s funny.”

Yesterday, Michael Caine claimed that both Hoffman and Johnny Depp had been approached by Warner Bros to respectively play The Penguin and The Riddler. Depp has previously expressed interest, but claims he hasn’t been contacted.

“I’m more of a fan”

When pressed further, Hoffman expressed his preference for staying in the audience of comic book films.

“I’m such a fan of those movies,” he said. “Comic book movies in general I look forward to — I am a real cheerleader for them.

“What [Nolan]’s doing is taking it in a whole other exciting great place. I’m more a fan, so the interest of being in it isn’t that great. It’s more the interest in wanting to see the next one. It’s probably better that way."

Hoffman said that he couldn't recall even meeting Christopher Nolan and doubted whether he'd be right for the role. "I think I’m more interested in seeing someone else do it. I don’t know if I’d be a good Penguin to be quite honest.”

Given the realistic angle Nolan has taken for the new Batman movies, we respectfully disagree.

The Total Film team are made up of the finest minds in all of film journalism. They are: Editor Jane Crowther, Deputy Editor Matt Maytum, Reviews Ed Matthew Leyland, News Editor Jordan Farley, and Online Editor Emily Murray. Expect exclusive news, reviews, features, and more from the team behind the smarter movie magazine. 

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