Even though there have been many denials about Philip Seymour Hoffman's involvement on the project, not to mention it's too soon to even get the casting ball rolling. that won't stop people from photo shopping his noggin into a penguin-esque figure. Or is it actually a real studio image?

Cinema Blend claims a source contacted them saying this picture was in fact an authentic studio make up test (just to see if the look fits). They — and we — highly doubt its authenticity, but still he fits the look that has been done before.

But let's talk about this "look." Is it too penguiny? It certainly looks a hell of a lot like Tim Burton and Danny Devito's Penguin creation. But how can you revamp such a comic book looking character? I'm all aboard the PSH penguin train, much more so than the Cher for Catwoman or Eddie Murphy Riddler nonsense that's been going around.

But if we could get Rachel Weisz as Catwoman and Hoffman as Penguin going, this could be a killer movie.

In other interesting Bat-news Zach Snyder (director of Watchmen hopefully releasing in March) is also down with the masked bat. In an interview with IF Magazine, Snyder opened up about his dream to remake Frank Miller's 80s graphic novel The Dark Knight Returns. And you know what, I wouldn't mind seeing a few Robin's die to make this flick.

Snyder revealed that while The Dark Knight Returns is his favorite comic book, he's aware that he has to wait in the long franchise line before he can get a crack at a middle-aged Batman

"The studio has this massive franchise, and I don't think they'll let me make a Batman movie where he's 50 years old and Ronald Reagan is president.

The fandom world is calling for Smart's head for putting Eddie Murphy and Batman in the same sentence, let alone the same movie. But Smart, who claims people laughed at him when he touted Daniel Craig as the next Bond, insists that both Murphy and Shia LaBeouf will be in the next Dark Knight, or Gotham as he's calling it.

LaBeouf will play Robin — or as you may remember him, the one character whose presence would be enough to make Christian Bale walk out on the next movie.

Forget WB's on the record denials and common sense, Smart stands by his tip. You know, it's okay to admit you were drinking at work. Acceptance is the first step. [The Guardian]

The tabloid UK paper The Sun (no doubt ears perking from the recent Rachel Weisz Catwoman rumors) is reporting that Eddie Murphy has been cast — mind you, CAST — as The Riddler in the sequel to Dark Knight according to one insider.

Also the paper says Shia LaBeouf has been cast as Robin. Forget the fact that Christian Bale has announced he would rather do Newsies 2 than share the screen with Dick Grayson, but hey — why not?

According to The Sun:

A film insider said: “Chris wasn’t sure if he wanted to do another movie but as soon as he decided to, he got the wheels in motion. "Eddie’s a fantastic addition. Everyone’s excited to see what he does as the Riddler.”

Forget, also, the fact that the script hasn't been written and that rumors have been running wild for months now. There is just no way that Murphy is cast in the movie. How do these rumors take flight? Don't forget, not long ago people were seriously debating whether Cher was going to play Catwoman. I'm still hoping to start a rumor that Liza Minelli is playing the Penguin — pass it along!

[The Sun]

According to E!'s Ted Casablanca's column (so take it with a pillar of salt) the gorgeous, classic Hollywood brunette Rachel Weisz is being considered for the role of Catwoman in the next Batman movie. Warners would not comment either way. But if you're out there Warners, please make this happen.

Weisz could pull off the crazy and the subtlety that is Catwoman, plus she would look amazing in catlike garb (see above).

I know it's too good to be true, there's no way in hell. But honestly this is one million times better than Cher, so at least they're stepped up in the rumor mill.

[The Awful Truth]