Heath Ledger Says To Expect A Very Different Joker

Entertainmentwise ^ | today | James Luxford

[Rodney King]

Heath Ledger has discussed his new role as the Joker in the next Batman instalment, revealing he had a “different take” on the famous villain.

Speaking to US magazine Newsweek regarding about his recent casting as The Joker (played previously by Jack Nicholson) in the forthcoming Batman movie ‘The Dark Knight’.

Ledger told the magazine: “I've been bouncing around like a lunatic for four months. I definitely have a different take on him, but I've yet to do a proper makeup run. It's on the agenda”.

When asked if he’d been practising his laugh, Ledger simply replied “I’d be lying if I said I haven’t been”.

‘The Dark Knight’ is set for a summer 2008 release.

[pcottraux]

Cool! Glad to meet you!

I know there are lots of LOTR, Star Wars, and Harry Potter fans on FR, I kinda wish there were more Batfans.

So tell me...what do you know about The Dark Knight (coming July 2008) and what would you like to know?

[pcottraux]

Oh, and I do need more Bat-geek graphics on my home page. I’ve been meaning to do that for some time now but haven’t gotten around to it.

I do, however, have a huge Begins poster hanging from my cubicle at work.

[Fledermaus]

All I know about the new movie I saw here although I heard the Ledger info earlier. I’ve also heard they’ve found a TwoFace but not sure if that’s also in the next movie.

I hope not. I wish they won’t push story too fast from where they started and get “costume” happy like they did in the earlier versions.

I’d like to see more of him creating his network: technical, physical (tunnels, places to hide the Batmobile, etc.), detective work, disguise work (was hinted at), and other ways Wayne does what he does.

Heck, Batman is one of the only “superheroes” without so-called powers.

I’ve got a movie poster of Begins from a theater...it’s backwards on one side for when they put it in those double sided glass frames next to mirrors.

[pcottraux]

Here’s everything you need to know about the movie. And trust me, on this link all the info is purely objective facts; no spoilers or details about the plot of anything.

http://www.batman-on-film.com/thedarkknight_facts.html

Also has a few pics, including the new Batsuit and the first pic of Ledger in his Joker makeup.

Also, here is the teaser site for the movie:

http://thedarkknight.warnerbros.com/

There’s nothing on it but the new logo, as well as a cool campaign poster saying “Harvey Dent for District Attorney.”

[who knows what evil?]

There was a bootleg of the new trailer on the net earlier today (gone now), and I have to admit; Ledger’s version looks very interesting. The trailer is running with ‘I Am Legend’ in theatres this weekend...

[pcottraux]

We've been discussing it on this newer thread. I saw the bootleg...I loved it!

If you're lucky enough to see "I Am Legend" in IMAX, it's precluded with the first 7 minutes of "The Dark Knight." Getting great reviews...unfortunately I'll be missing it. :-(

[NRA2BFree]

Instead of word-balloons such as "Biff!" and "Pow!", you'll see "Stiff!" and "Ow!"

LOLOLOL! Best line so far!

[pcottraux]

*Sigh*

[Hammerhead]

“Perhaps, but Tim Burton directed a real top-heavy snorer. And Burton has always sucked as a director; he’s so over-rated.”

The original ‘Batman’ a snorer???

You’re joking right???!!!

[OldEagle]

"Batman had better watch his ass."

Why? Do you think somebody will be Robin it?

[Petronski]

Word to the wise: never sign on for a remake in which you will play the character Nicholson played before you.

Just. Don't. Do. It.

(See, e.g., Steven Weber in the sh!tty TV remake of The Shining.)

[dfwgator]

What this Joker needs is an enema.

[willyd]

LOL

[pcottraux]

Word to the wise: never sign on for a remake in which you will play the character Nicholson played before you.

IT'S NOT A REMAKE!!!!!!!!!!

This is an entirely new Batman movie. Batman Begins was the start of a whole new and completely different Batman franchise, and The Dark Knight is the SEQUEL. This has absolutely nothing to do whatsoever with the past Batman movies.

Oh, and guess what. That movie is almost 20 years old! The distance of time between The Dark Knight and Batman 89 is almost the same as Batman 89 and the movie with Adam West.

And btw...Nicholson wasn't even that great of a Joker to begin with. Ledger's going to win, my prediction.

[pcottraux]

Please, guys. Ledger was first cast as the Joker in July 2006. That was a year-and-a-half ago. The Brokeback jokes got old after the first day. And they weren’t even funny to begin with.

[Boiler Plate]

Garaunteed box office disaster. Can you sell this thing short on the NYSE?

[Petronski]

IT'S NOT A REMAKE!!!!!!!!!!

You're very emotional.

If this film is introducing the story of the Joker, it is remaking that part of 89 classic with Jack Nicholson.

[PapaBear3625]

I didn’t know the Joker played the skin flute?

In Frank Miller's "The Dark Knight Returns" series, Joker very definitely had a homoerotic "thing" for Batman

[pcottraux]

I know. I'm on overkill with this film. You see, I've been obsessively following every detail of production for about two years now.

If this film is introducing the story of the Joker, it is remaking that part of 89 classic with Jack Nicholson.

No it's not. This Joker will be as different from Nicholson as Nicholson was from the Ceasar Romero version from the 60s. For example, more in line with the classic comic books (which 89 was NOT), this Joker will have no origin story, and will be portrayed in a darker, grittier, and more mysterious fashion.

And this isn't a remake of anything to do with Tim Burton's film...it's a movie version of THE COMIC BOOKS.

[pcottraux]

Garaunteed box office disaster. Can you sell this thing short on the NYSE?

Are you KIDDING? Do you know how big the hype for this movie is? There hasn't been this much Batman hype since 1989.