Movie News

The Dark Knight (Christian Bale) has some questions for the Joker(Heath Ledger) in THE DARK KNIGHT(2008).
© Warner Bros

Ledger Talks JOKER's Lack of Compassion

By: Jarrod Sarafin, News Editor
Date: Monday, September 17, 2007
Source: AlloCine

Actor Heath Ledger talked briefly with French magazine, AlloCine, about his upcoming villain role of the Joker for THE DARK KNIGHT. Naturally, as most actors would attest to, playing such an evil role is all kinds of fun. Ledger's Joker goes up against the Dark Knight (Christian Bale) in the latest installment of the franchise by Christopher Nolan and Warner Bros. Also appearing in the film is Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) and many other side characters. The film is wrapping up its shooting schedule and we can expect a major theatrical trailer in December most likely attached to the Warner Bros film, I AM LEGEND.

Just skip to the 2:15 mark to see Heath Ledger talk the role...

THE DARK KNIGHT hits theaters everywhere July 18, 2008.

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Comments/Responses

Flint521466 • Sep 17, 2007, 08:44am •

At first I wasn't sure about this choice, however I reallylike everything I've seen and heard from Heath so far. I got a full-blown 5-alarm fanboy hard-on for this movie, not to mention Indy 4, Iron Man and even the Hulk! Summer '08 can't get here fast enough.

On a side note, anybody else heard that DC is eyeing Ryan Gosling for Bats in the JL movie? and if you have, what do you think? If the Bat is in cape & cowel for the duration of the film I can totally see it. I'm having a hard time seeing him as Wayne.

jdnobody • Sep 17, 2007, 08:45am •

I hope he does a good job with this! I'm a little worried about what they are going to do with the Joker. At least Ledger says he's having fun with the role. I want this movie to be good. I've been a Batman fan for a while and it's always a little frustrating that something that has 50+ years worth of material keeps getting screwed up when makes it to the big screen. "Too many cooks trying to please too many people."

Here's a thought...how about trying to please the actual fans? Little things that I keep seeing/reading just bug me, so I hope that I'm pleasantly surprised once I get into the theater.

JD
www.moviesfornobodies.com

Whiskeymovie • Sep 17, 2007, 09:40am •

I have loved the idea of Ledger as the Joker from the start. I think this movie is going to be intense. They are all great actors, and I think if they do the Joker right, it will be awesome.

fft5305 • Sep 17, 2007, 10:02am •

I was hesitant from the start on Ledger, but willing to trust Nolan. From everything I've seen, that trust was well placed.

Haven't heard anything about Gosling in JL, but he seems a bit spindly to play Bats. Unless they go the animated over live route they've discussed and they could beef him up...

wessmith1966 • Sep 17, 2007, 10:25am •

Ledger's Joker is going to a benchmark performance and have everyone thinking of Ledger's portrayal everytime they see the character in comics or cartoons. I like every image I've seen and everything I've heard and read. Ledger's a good actor and seems to be basking in the depth in this role. Flint's right, '08 in going to be one helluva a year for comic adaptation films.

I think Gosling could play Wayne/Batman pretty well, and as far as beefing up for the role, that's easy enough to do with the proper training and diet. Gosling's an excellent young actor; I could definitely see him in the role...although, someone who posts on this site thinks that the Firefly/Serenity guy is the ONLY choice...so there's no way Gosling could be in the running for the role! ;-)

mbeckham1 • Sep 17, 2007, 10:32am •

I think Chris Nolan actually is someone who gets the Batman character and mythos. It's not about the flash and beat bigger and badder baddies. It's about the deep well of psychological turmoil that drives this man to do what he does and pitting that drive against those equally driven to do harm.

It's like John Wayne in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, a man on the outer fringe of civilization compelled to protect civilization from the thoroughly uncivilized.

kwsupes • Sep 17, 2007, 10:54am •

I think Dark Knight wil be awesome. I was worried abou Ledger, but from what I have seen his portrayl of the Joker seems very true to the comics. Nolan did a great job last time nailing the casting and characters so I have faith that he will do it again and this movie will rock. I think Summer 08 will be an awesome movie summer.

ponyboy76 • Sep 17, 2007, 11:20am •

"Tonight..people are going to die... I`m a man of my word...hahahahahaha!!!!"

I just can`t get that quote out of my head. If that isn`t classic, socio/psychopathic Joker, I don`t know what is. Heath will do a fine job.

dallaswinston • Sep 17, 2007, 02:56pm •

It's about time they are potraying him like the comic book joker. Totally out of his mind psycho/rapist/maniac. Heath is gonna kick ass and yes that voice is utterly insane. I can't wait for the real theatrical trailer.

hanso • Sep 17, 2007, 04:58pm •

The Dark Knight looks awesome and yes, I think Ledger will do a nice job with his take on the JOker. It's something new, this psycho Joker and I'm looking foward to it.
With that said, let's not say he's finally portraying the Joker as in the comics. The character has been around many years and portrayed in a different light not only in comics but in the movies. The definiton of comics Joker is relevant to what age of Joker you are refering to.

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