It is said that Christopher Nolan has tapped Murphy for the role in the follow-up film to "The Dark Knight," which is rumored to be titled "Gotham." The U.K.’s Sun newspaper reports that veteran funnyman Eddie Murphy has reportedly been selected to become the Riddler, although it was widely speculated that “Pirates of the Caribbean” star Johnny Depp was up for the green-clad madman.

The actors who have embodied the character in the live action versions of television and film were Frank Gorshin and Jim Carrey respectively.  In both circumstances the character was one who was maniacal with laughter, and wore a body suit covered in question marks.

Other reports have cast both Rachel Weisz and Angelina Jolie as Catwoman, and Philip Seymour Hoffman as the Penguin in the sequel to the box office smash. The Depp and Hoffman rumor began with none other than series star Michael Caine, who plays Bruce Wayne’s butler, Alfred, but Hoffman himself denied it to MTV News.

Returning stars include Christian Bale as Batman and Michael Caine as Batman’s butler Alfred Pennyworth.
The latest Batman installment, "The Dark Knight," was a box office hit, and earned a posthumous Golden Globe nod for Heath Ledger as Best Supporting Actor among other post-mortem rewards. Whoever the villain may be, and whoever the actor who plays that villain will be, they will face a daunting task of filling the clown shoes left behind by Heath Ledger. And by choosing Murphy, Nolan might just push his limits too far; and Murphy’s as well.

"Chris wasn't sure if he wanted to do another movie, but as soon as he decided to, he got the wheels in motion," an insider told The Sun tabloid. "Eddie's a fantastic addition. Everyone's excited to see what he does as the Riddler."