Merrick here...

MTV sat down with Michael Caine for a discussion which turned towards casting rumors swirling around the next BATMAN movie - even though David Goyer tried valiantly (and somewhat unsuccessfully) to dismiss similar misinformation A WHILE BACK.

Caine specifically addressed persistent rumors that Johnny Depp and Philip Seymour Hoffman were being considered for roles in the movie.

There is nobody, there's no script, there's nothing," Caine told MTV News of the status of the next "Batman" movie. "It can't possibly be made before 2011 because 'Inception' is such a big picture."
[EDIT]
"Johnny Depp is great in anything, but there is no Johnny Depp in this Batman," he smiled. "They tell me in no uncertain terms."

...says Caine to MTV HERE.

Here's an embed of the same:

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

Although I can't locate the exact link/quote at the moment, The Powers That Be on this project (I think it was Goyer specifically) have already expressed interest/belief that the third movie should involve lesser-known villains/antagonists from BATMAN's vast mythology. No word on if this is still the way they're thinking.

Anyone out there playing BATMAN: ARKHAM ASYLUM? I'm loving it...