The Batman: Why Matt Reeves’ Movie Uses Riddler's Original Name
Paul Dano plays The Riddler in Matt Reeves' The Batman, and this version of the character is known by his original name: Edward Nashton. The Batman introduces audiences to Reeves' noirish take on the Dark Knight with several reimagined villains appearing including Colin Farrell, who is completely unrecognizable as the Penguin, and the legendary John Turturro as mob boss Carmine Falcone. Reeves' Riddler is reimagined too, being named Edward Nashton rather than Edward Nygma, as is more common in Batman adaptations.
The Batman was officially released in theaters on March 4, 2022, with a stellar cast, bringing Matt Reeves' steely rendition of the hero to life. The Penguin and Falcone appear alongside Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman and Paul Dano's The Riddler. Dano, a soft-voiced character actor who has worked steadily since he burst onto the scene in There Will Be Blood, has a decidedly different portrayal of the character than Jim Carrey's cartoonish enigmatic villain in 1995's Batman Forever. While Reeves' The Batman does take some elements from both Tim Burton and Christopher Nolan's versions of the story, the director sets The Batman apart from its predecessors by adding psychological themes and a crime-drama feel to the story.
Related: Why The Riddler Looks So Different In The Batman
This time around, Reeves has opted to use The Riddler's birth name of Edward Nashton in place of his more recognizable alter-ego, Edward Nygma (or Nigma). In the comic books, his real name was revealed to be Edward Nygma, or E. Nygma — a pun on the word «enigma.» But later DC continuity, following the «Crisis on Infinite Earths» event, established his birth name as Edward Nashton. This version of the character would change The Riddler's surname to
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