Edward Nygma is arguably the most clever villain to cross the caped crusader. In the Batman series, there are often many villains synonymous with the Dark Knight, and the Riddler is one of them. With his clever questions and obsession over proving he is smarter than Batman, the Riddler often comes close to defeating his foe, only to leave more clues behind. Here, we are going to go over the Riddler’s many different depictions in the live-action format. While the character has a strong history of source material, every iteration of the character is different enough that there is a conversation to be had on which one stands supreme. Here we will review every live-action version of the character and determine which one is the best.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
5 Paul Dano
Warner Bros. Pictures
The most recent live-action version of the character was brought to life by Paul Dano in The Batman (2021). Here, the Riddler is seen as more of a terrorist, with a focus on explosives, and the riddles seem to take a backseat unless they’re being used to expose political misdeeds.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
This version of Riddler also appears to be lacking in confidence. While some versions of Riddler weren’t exceptional fighters, they at least carried a sense of bravado, be it in their attitude or how they were dressed. Paul Dano’s Riddler is a young man who is more given to delusions than a cocky demeanor, and his high-pitched screams are often mocked. This character is more known for the adaptation of the ‘Zero Year’ story arc than anything else.
4 John Astin
20th Television
This version of the Riddler came at an odd time. Featured in the second season of the original live-action Batman television series, John Astin takes over the role of Riddler, with no one referencing that he looks completely different from Frank Gorshin. One of the biggest knocks on Astin’s portrayal is that the actor is synonymous with his role as Gomez Addams in The Addams Family.
With all of this working against Astin, the man still proves to be a capable Riddler, acting with bravado and always looking to outdo Batman with another riddle. He also brings a slight twist; whereas Gorshin portrayed a more eccentric character, Astin plays Riddler as more of a crooked businessman, constantly looking for the payoff.
3 Jim Carrey
Speaking of eccentricity, the most insane version of the Riddler comes in the form of Jim Carrey. This red-headed version of the character would appear in Batman Forever (1995.) In this version, Edward Nygma is actually an employee of Wayne Enterprises who designs technology capable of draining someone of their intelligence. Nygma wouldn’t take rejection well and would opt to go on a crime spree, first targeting Bruce, then aiming to take the intelligence of multiple Gotham City denizens, ultimately reaching a point where he could deduce the identity of Batman. Despite teaming up with Two-Face, Riddler would ultimately be defeated, having the tech turned on him, driving him even further into insanity.
2 Frank Gorshin
The original Riddler, first appearing in the 1960s Batman series, Frank Gorshin, helped to kickstart the entire phenomenon by appearing in the first-ever episodes of the series. Starting the trends of outsmarting Batman and attempting to steal the Batmobile, Gorshin would be one of the most energetic characters on the show, always bringing a high dose of energy whenever he appeared.
Adding in other appearances on the show, such as when he threatened to sue Batman and his return to the series after being replaced by John Astin, Gorshen’s highlight would come when he appeared in the film, Batman (1966), teaming with the Joker, Penguin, and Catwoman to kidnap ambassadors of the United Nations, a highly convoluted plot that could have had far-reaching ramifications even if they hadn’t succeeded.
1 Cory Michael Smith
Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution
The best live-action version of the Riddler goes to Cory Michael Smith’s iteration of the character as featured on the television show Gotham. This version of the character has the benefit of a slow-burn story arc, with Edward Nygma being introduced as a forensic specialist with Gotham P.D. Nygma’s B-Plot would see him pursuing a romance with his coworker, Kristen Kringle.
Throughout the rest of the series, Nygma would begin his descent into madness, murdering those that get in his way as well as those that are close to him, even murdering Miss Kringle by accident after she discovers his murderous habits. Featured throughout the rest of the series, Nygma would constantly shift between his sad, regretful self and his more insane, sociopathic Riddler persona. Often teaming with Penguin, Riddler would prove to be one of the most popular characters on the show and would be featured heavily throughout all five seasons. Cory Michael Smith excellently shows the character in all sorts of highs and lows, be it his most pathetic or his most triumphant.
