This could be interesting! While I'm not a huge Batman/Joker fan, I do like Heath Ledger...Heath Ledger will star as The Joker in The Dark Knight, the next Batman movie, Warner Bros. announced on Monday night.
The film will be directed by Batman Begins director Christopher Nolan, and Christian Bale will return as Bruce Wayne/Batman. No other cast members could be confirmed.
The Dark Knight is written by written by Jonathan Nolan, the director's brother, based on a story by Christopher Nolan and David Goyer. The film will be produced by Emma Thomas, Charles Roven and Christopher Nolan.
"Chris' unique vision is what made Batman Begins such an outstanding film and we could not imagine anyone else at the helm of The Dark Knight," said Jeff Robinov, president of production, Warner Bros. Pictures. "We also can't wait to see two such formidable actors as Christian and Heath face off with each other as Batman and The Joker."
"I'm excited to continue the story we started with Batman Begins," Nolan said. "Our challenge in casting The Joker was to find an actor who is not just extraordinarily talented but fearless. Watching Heath Ledger's interpretation of this iconic character taking on Christian Bale's Batman is going to be incredible."
Production is set to begin on The Dark Knight in early 2007.
Ledger, 27 and an Australian, was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in Brokeback Mountain. His other credits include Casanova, The Brothers Grimm, Lords of Dogtown, The Order, Ned Kelly, The Four Feathers, Monster's Ball, A Knight's Tale and The Patriot. The Joker was hinted at during the end of Batman Begins, when Gordon shows Batman a "calling card" that a criminal had left.
7 comments:
I'm not feeling it. I'd rather see someone like Dave Chapelle, or Steve Buscemi in the role. It's going to be hard to one-up Jack Nicholson's Joker IMHO.
Hmmm I just saw somewhere else that they were thinking about Paul Bettany as well. That would have been better than Heath also.
I'm going to disagree with Steven on this one and let Heath have his chance. It would cut far against the mumbling laconic Enni character, that's for sure.
Thinking back, I must have loved Jack Nicholson at the time, but really, wasn't he just doing his usual schtick/ Plus, the Joker should be, well, thin. jack is a stout man, and even back then he was a little old for the role. It all came together well, but it seems dated now.
As for Paul Bettany, well, I'd like to see him get some more lead/romantic roles. I have Wimbledon here at home to watch again, and I quite liked him in that movie. Enough sidekicks and albino monks for him!
Actually, I'd love to see them get an unknown (or relative one). The later batman movies were all about cramming star cameos in. Mr. Freeze, anyone?
I have waaaaaaaaaay too much time on my hands!
LOL
I just don't think Heath has the over-the-top chops to be the Joker, he may prove me wrong, but cramming Batman movies with name actors bloats the budget and the stories pay the price. Arnold's performance as Mr. Freeze was so painful I couldn't watch the whole movie.
I totally agree with not putting in big name actors. But I also think Heath could pull off some craziness. He wasn't AS loony in The Brothers Grimm, but he did goofy well. Now let's see him do insane!
So let's see... If the first Batman movie had the origin (and death?) of the Joker, and now The Dark Knight (Batman Returns II?) has the Joker, are we to assume these are separate worlds? Or will this be pre-Joker? I hope not...you need the white face, green hair, etc...
Paul Reubens, super-villain.
Since Joker is taken, maybe Riddler ...
Or he could be The Spleen in another movie...Granted, the last time it wasn't as a villain.
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