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Subject: The Joker Gets a New Grin
Time: 11:30:00 AM EDT
Author: summermovieblog
Warner Bros. announced today that Heath Ledger will be breaking out the sardonic smile and blood-curdling cackle of the Joker for 'The Dark Knight,' a sequel to 2005's critical and box-office smash 'Batman Begins.' The Oscar nominee (for last year's 'Brokeback Mountain') steps into shoes previously inhabited by a despicably charismatic Jack Nicholson in Tim Burton's 1989 'Batman.'
Christian Bale will reprise his role as the titular Dark Knight, and Christopher Nolan ('Memento') will again direct. Meanwhile, Nolan's younger brother Jonah -- who co-wrote the screenplay for the upcoming magician flick 'The Prestige' with Christopher and whose short story 'Memento Mori' provided the inspiration for 'Memento' -- has been tapped to pen the script.
Does 'The Dark Knight' have the potential to be the best Batman movie -- and possibly the best superhero movie -- ever made? I believe it does. Here's why ...
1) Heath Ledger is a phenomenal choice to play the Clown Prince of Crime. The character of the Joker demands a delicate balance sociopathic darkness and playful humor -- not an easy task for any actor. But Ledger's turn in 'Brokeback' proved beyond a doubt that he can handle serious material, while his performance in the underrated 'Casanova' showcased his comedic talents. Plus, not too many guys can sell a line such as "What is it with this chick? Does she have beer-flavored nipples or something?" -- but Ledger nails it in '10 Things I Hate About You.' That gives me hope.
2) As Bruce Wayne and his alter ego Batman, Christian Bale is perhaps the best and most believably cast superhero in movie history. Now, some may argue that it's Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent/Superman or Hugh Jackman as Wolverine -- and these are both examples of outstanding casting. But as Bruce Wayne, Bale is the perfect blend of charm, intelligence and nonchalance. And as Batman he's brawny, badass and tortured as hell. Bale makes us believe that Bruce Wayne is the kind of guy who cares so little about what others think that he'll get drunk and go fountain-swimming with a couple of models in a hotel restaurant. But he's also the kind of guy who cares so much about other people that he'll go home afterwards, toss on a mask and cape, and put his life to the hazard for the good of the nameless, faceless masses of Gotham.
3) With 'Batman Begins,' Nolan breathed new life into a franchise that had become associated with salami-sized rubber Bat nipples, villains that fought with neon glow sticks and dialogue that carried the foul stench of stale Gorgonzola. Nolan's film returned the Batman to his darker, edgier roots -- and his cheese-free, noirish filmmaking sensibilites pretty much guarantee we're in for another dose of the same this time around.
What do you think?
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Read the news story about 'The Dark Knight'
See Heath Ledger photos | filmography
Get more about 'Batman Begins'
Tags: Batman, Heath Ledger, Christian Bale, Christopher Nolan, Summer Movies
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Ledger as Joker? Rediculous!!!! He's an okay actor to me at best and is just getting cast for this part over the "brokeback" wave hype crap. I am dissappointed in Nolan for not thinking about the fans who would rather see Adrian Brody or Tim Roth. Hell, personaly I never thought Jim Carrey was that good of a Riddler and actually should have been cast as Joker back then or even should have been at least on the table of possibilities for this movie. John Travolta would have been an excellent choice as well to play old smiley. As for other comments about Wolverine and Jackman, well I have to say that he has had to work into the role for me. He is good but I personaly would like to see Jason Statham from Transporter fame in the role. He is perfect with the athleticism and size and quickness and the voice and the attitude to play Wolverine to a tee. As for Superman Returns I think Singer really dropped the ball on this one. I really didn't like the story at all and I thought all along that Tom Welling should have taken the role that he was born to play instead of passing. Hopefully he will come to his senses and try to assume the role in a future release of a Superman movie. Last but not least CHRISTIAN BALE ROCKS AS BATMAN!!! Perfectly cast for a part he now owns and as far as myself and a overwhelming majority that post here agree...the guy is the Batman ever. Nuff' said. If anyone wants more of this great actors dark side type movies and even doubters of this guys ability to play the dark night then just find a brilliant movie called "Equilibrium" and check out Bale. This guy is and as far as I'm concerned will always be the true Batman.
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most people don,t care any more. sad very sad
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THE JOKER DIED IN TIM BURTON'S ' BATMAN '.
WITH SO MANY VILLIANS IN AND OUT OF ARKHAM ASYLUM , WHY DUPLICATE A DEAD ONE ? -
John Malkovich?
Adrien Brody?
Christian Slater?
Interesting choices for the Joker. Sorry folks, I never liked Nicholson as the Joker. Too old, not nearly scary enough, too much "Jack."
To match the tone of these newer films, the Joker should be at his creepiest.
Just thinking of how well Malkovich would handle this gives me a chill.
Tarantino is still my #1 choice. I don't know if he has the acting ability, but he is a creepy person naturally and he would barely need makeup to play the Joker.
Sorry, cearb - Robin Williams has ruined too many movies for me by playing Robin Williams when hes' supposed to be playing someone else. Ask Adrian Cronauer (Good Morning Vietnam) and Patch Adams what they thought of Robin's portrayal of them. True, he has done some very good movies since then, but I find it hard to imagine that he won't mess up the Joker with his tired old schtick. He also a bit too old and does not physically resemble the character template.
A lot of actors don't play anybody but themselves anymore in every film -Hoffman, Pacino, DiNiro, Nicholson. They seem to do a bunch of great movies and get "stuck" in one groove for a while.
As for the posters that are "sick of Batman" - maybe you're just sick of bad Batman movies. "Batman and Robin" was so amazingly bad, it would put off anybody. Give these new films a chance.
9/4/06 10:51 AM