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Official name for the next movie has supposedly come out, and it's Batman: The Dark Knight. If so... very cool.
Page also says that Heath Ledger is indeed confirmed as being the Joker.
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Official name for the next movie has supposedly come out, and it's Batman: The Dark Knight. If so... very cool.
Page also says that Heath Ledger is indeed confirmed as being the Joker.
Official.
Quote:
Source: Warner Bros. Pictures July 31, 2006
As a follow up to last year's blockbuster Batman Begins, Christopher Nolan is set to direct Warner Bros. Pictures' The Dark Knight, written by Jonathan Nolan, based on a story by Christopher Nolan and David Goyer. The film will be produced by Emma Thomas, Charles Roven and Christopher Nolan. Additionally, Christian Bale will resume his role as Bruce Wayne and Academy Award nominee Heath Ledger has been cast as The Joker. The announcements were made today by Jeff Robinov, President of Production, Warner Bros. Pictures.
Christopher Nolan revamped the Batman franchise in 2005 with the immensely successful Batman Begins, starring Christian Bale in the title role, which chronicled the early years of the superhero. Nolan first garnered attention from critics and fans in 2000 with the groundbreaking drama "Memento," which he wrote and directed. He went on to direct the thriller "Insomnia," starring Al Pacino and Robin Williams, and recently wrapped production on "The Prestige," with Hugh Jackman and Bale.
Bale was most recently seen in the ensemble cast of Terrence Malick's "The New World." His other credits include "Little Women," "Portrait of a Lady," "Metroland," "American Psycho," "Laurel Canyon" and Steven Spielberg's "Empire of the Sun," which was his first starring role.
Ledger most recently earned Oscar Golden Globe, BAFTA and SAG Award nominations and won the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Ennis Del Mar in the award-winning drama "Brokeback Mountain." His other credits include "Casanova," "Monster's Ball," "Lords of Dogtown," "The Brothers Grimm" and "The Patriot."
"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 Robinov. "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,'" added Nolan. "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.
What happened to Batman Continues? :p I'm really looking forward to this film. It's too bad it won't be coming out until 2008.
P.S. - Why does that article talk about Heath Ledger like he's some sort of screen legend?
What The Fuck? What happened to Crispin Glover? I mean really, Heath Ledger? Might as well get Ben Affleck to play him...Quote:
Originally Posted by shidoshi
FUCK YES! My whore of a girlfriend tried to convince me that since the original batman movie had the joker, and Batman Begins was the begining of batman, that the joker card at the end of the movie was supposed to set up the old movie. I told her she was an idiot and now I'm right.
While it's obvious that she's wrong, I could see why she would think that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Brett
I had personally hoped that Christopher Eccleston would be cast as the Joker. I'm willing to take a wait and see approach to this casting, though.
For real. Before Brokeback Mountain, it was looking like his short and insignificant Hollywood career was just about over. Hell, the guy did that shitbomb A Knight's Tale, how much lower can you go?Quote:
Originally Posted by Nash
Honestly, I like the title of the new Batman movie, but I've never been a fan of Ledger. I've thought actors have been horribly miscast for roles before, only to be proven wrong when they do a great job, but I really have a bad feeling about this.
I could see a nutjob like Crispin Glover playing the Joker (shit, I think he was born to do it). Ledger just seems all wrong.
I can't. They only said, like, a MILLION times that Batman Begins totally reset the franchise and they were starting from scratch.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr-K
Sigh, first old pudgy Joker and now teen heartthrob Joker...
"Ah wish ah knew how to quit yew, Joker!"
I really just cannot see Ledger being able to do this role. Nicholson always had that crazy look about him and has pulled off roles where he came across as psychotic and delusional (Shining). Ledger hasnt played any roles like that and just doesnt have that wild man look about him. Really. Way to miscast arguably one of the coolest villians in any comic series ever, assholes.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dolemite
There's a difference between Crispin Glover and Heath Ledger. Crispin Glover is an incompetant actor and Ledger is a competant, oscar nominated actor. I would trust Ledger more.
Jack Nicholson was a great joker. He was so damned evil.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bacon
Jim Carrey could be good for a Joker more like the one from the animated series, but they already wasted him on Riddler (which was complete miscasting, too).
Agreed on all counts.Quote:
Originally Posted by Frogacuda
Going with the tone established in Batman Begins, I'm sure Nolan will make the new Joker a very dark, fucked-up character. It might have been a nice change from Carrey's usual squeaky-clean image.
STFU. The fact that Jim Carrey was in any Batman movie was a fucking waste. At least they put him in one that would have sucked even without him ruining it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Frogacuda
He's not funny and sure as shit can't play a good psycho either.
Heath Ledger? Not sure about that decision. Guess I'll take a wait and see approach.
I liked Carrey as the Riddler, it just sucks that the movie was terrible.
I guess it's just typical PR. I think Heath Ledger is a really odd pick. He doesn't look anything like The Joker and I can't think of any roles he's played that really cement his acting ability along the lines of a character like this. Robin Williams would've been the best choice, IMO. He can be crazy and over the top and then reel it in to a really distrubed and morose place. Adrian Brody looks a lot like The Joker. I think the choice of Ledger has more to do with the buzz surrounding him coming off of Brokeback Mountain over anything else.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nash
I have faith Nolan knows what he's doing.
My pick for the Joker would be Paul Bettany.
Agreed Agreed on all counts.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dolemite
Carrey is a good actor. He's just built a career on zany, outlandish roles that whenever he plays something reeled in and shows his acting chops nobody wants to see it (because it's not Ace Ventura 35 or whatever).Quote:
Going with the tone established in Batman Begins, I'm sure Nolan will make the new Joker a very dark, fucked-up character. It might have been a nice change from Carrey's usual squeaky-clean image.
Well... he was in A Knight's Tale with Ledger.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nash
OMG FIRST PIC LEAKED!
http://www.costumenetwork.com/albums/2/joker.jpg
http://img.search.com/b/b6/300px-Oscar_Award.gifQuote:
Originally Posted by Dolemite
I'm really glad the didn't choose Robin Williams for the role. I don't think he's right for the part at all. I think he would have been too over the top. He also doesn't look the part. Ledger isn't really who I pictured as the Joker either, but he's better than Williams.Quote:
Originally Posted by I'm Never Funny
Robin Williams plays a good brooding psychopath, but him being wacky and pretending to improv really irritates me.
You might be right about him going too over the top, although I do think Nolan would have just reigned him in. He plays good roles (The Night Listener looks really good). The Joker was always going from wacky to sombre though, so that's why I think he'd be a good choice. I don't really care if he looks like The Joker as much. But then again I love reimagining of franchises when it's done with some kind of quality (The Batman AS for example).Quote:
Originally Posted by elfneedsfood
Again, you just have to put faith in Nolan after such a dead ringing Batman Returns.
Yeah, a fit, 30something Christian Bale fighting an overweight zany Robin Williams. Box office gold! Please.
Yeah, I have to say I'm glad Williams wasn't cast as well. Word has it he was desperate for the role, however.
Oh, man. Me too. Like, really.Quote:
Originally Posted by Frogacuda
Nicholson did a good job but it doesn't change the fact that it was a horrible miscasting for the character. The Joker is not supposed to be a husky, balding, over-the-hill type.
Carrey's too much of a ham. Joker's a goof but also very disturbingly psychotic, Carrey would skew it way too much to the goofy side.
And Williams would be a combination of both of the above grievances.
You see, that's one reason I'm not flipping out. Nolan DID do a good job with the first movie (aside from it being a tad too long, but every movie is nowadays).Quote:
Originally Posted by I'm Never Funny
Also, like I've said, I've had enough seemingly miscast actors suprise me in the past that I'm willing to wait and see if Ledger does the same. It's certainly possible. After all, he's a straight guy who was willing to cornhole another man on-screen for a movie role. Who knows what he'll be willing to do as The Joker?
I'm sure he could have, you know, worked out a bit.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr-K
Maybe you didn't notice, but that movie went a long way toward shaking up what Batman was "supposed to be" in the public's eyes. I know Dark Knight Returns and a few others may have been an influence (or may not have been, since Burton admittedly wasn't into the comics), but that movie was much darker than anyone pictured batman and very different, which is really what made it so good.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bacon
LOL, I guess. The only reason I like Williams is because he can play to both sides well (I sincerely doubt he would be all zany all the time or ham it up). He doesn't really fit the physical description.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bacon
Also, Carrey's quite accomplished as an actor. If you let him be serious he would, and I have no doubt that he'd enjoy playing something other than the over the top stuff he normally draw people to the box office for. But I doubt anybody could look past the fact that he was The Riddler way back. A shame, really.
Exactly.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dolemite
Like I'm Never Funny said, Carrey's got a lot more range than many give him credit for. He's done subdued roles.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bacon
Nicholas Cage might have been good.
There's something about Nicolas Cage I don't like. I can't put my finger on it.
Same here. I can't say why I don't like him. I just don't.Quote:
Originally Posted by I'm Never Funny
What's really weird is how many people I talk to say the exact same thing.
Only if he jumps around screaming "I'M CASTOR TROY!!! I'M CASTOR TROY!!!"Quote:
Originally Posted by Frogacuda
Holy shit no. Every role he's in, he's the same person. No matter what he does, it's like "There's Nick Cage looking grumpy. Now he's happy and smiling. Wait, I think that's just gas."Quote:
Originally Posted by Frogacuda
I back up the Robin Williams. He is awesome in some of the dramas he's done. Check out Final Cut, it's weird but he is great and the Night Whisperer looks great as well.
I think Williams could have used a bit of his comedy with his great acting skills to perfectly fit Joker.
I don't think Ledger is a bad pick though. Not who I expected but it might work out well, I'll give him a chance. I can't quit him.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dolemite
It's probably because he acts the same or himself in every movie like Will Smith, there is no real "acting". You can tell its him, rather than an actual movie character.
I wonder if they'll use the origin story from 'The Killing Joke' for this Batman.
I don't really know who Heath Ledger is, but Crispin Glover would probably play a great Joker.
I'm reserving judgement on this until I see him all done up.
I hold that Adrien Brody would have been a good Joker choice.
OMG he's perfect!Quote:
Originally Posted by M
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/board/a...chmentid=19955
LOL ... God I love MS Paint.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dolemite
Look, just because Jack was 52 when he played Joker doesn't mean that a 55 year old Robin Williams (Who doesn't have the benefit of looking like the Joker, which Jack had) would be a wise choice, especially for the angle that this franchise is shooting for.Quote:
Originally Posted by jonas
Ledger seems like a good choice, he can act, has a pretty massive grin, and isn't in his fucking fifties. Adrian Brody works better in my head, but Ledger isn't too far off. And goddamnit, Crispin Glover is an inept actor, why want him?
Give me a milk..................................Chocolate.
It always puzzled me as to how the bartender fixed his chocolate milk so quickly.
Photoshop, actually. I never touch MS Paint.Quote:
Originally Posted by Advocate
Living on the ritz, are we?Quote:
Originally Posted by Dolemite
Damn that would be cool.Quote:
Originally Posted by g0zen
What are you talking about,ya dumb fuck?Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr-K
It's just a much better program, nigga.Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrew
I'm not really figuring in age though. Joker has always seemed like an older villian just because most portrails have been so. I just think Williams would be great because he has shown (to me) that he can act really damn well in dramas and he also has his crazy comedy side which fits Joker perfect.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr-K
I do agree with you 100% that Robin would have to get in shape, because he is not the right body type to be a proper Joker. There is nothing saying he couldn't do that though.
He just really has that evil, creepy demeaner to him sometimes. Which to me, fits Joker greatly.
Performance-wise Jack Nicholson's Joker was perfect.. but it still manages to be awful rendition, since Joker was never an old, overweight crime boss that killed Wayne's parents.
I remember reading from a comic magazine (I forget the name, but it was a popular comics magazine in the 80s before Wizard rose in prominence) that production for B89 switched gears from their original '60s TV show remake' vision, to something resembling the breakthrough successful DKR. It wasn't so much Burton's decision for the 'dark,' Batman, as much as the producers looking for a director who could do 'dark,' 'gritty,' 'macabre,' 'edgy,' etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by Frogacuda
I just want less 'Patrick Bateman,' exaggerated playboy, Bruce Wayne, and no 'grumble' Bat-voice. Overall the Batman franchise seems to be in good hands and the Ledger casting doesn't worry me.
I think he'll have a phoney overthetop American accent that'll ruin it.
hmmmm...could you guys picture Willem Dafoe as the Joker?
hmmmm....
Ooh... he could probably pull off the creepy required for the Joker pretty well. Too old, though.
Eh, Dafoe already did the Green Goblin. I could picture it, though.
I'm giving Ledger a shot but I still think they fucked up bad not going with Crispin Glover.
While Dafoe is maybe five years younger than Wlliams he would make a better Joker because he has the right demeanor for it. Williams and Nicholson both were too squatty for the part. NEVERTHELESS. I still support Heath Ledger.
That queer Ryan Phillippe is Two-Face? And The Penguin's in the movie too? wtf.Quote:
Originally Posted by IMDB
Is Justin Timberlake going to be announced as Mr. Freeze and Clay Aiken as the Riddler? This sounds awful.
Too many villians ruin a film.
Kosmo Kramer as Joker, pls. It's not too late!
http://www.drodd.com/webmistress2/img/ryanphillippe.jpgQuote:
Originally Posted by Dolemite
Fuck man. I mean Brokeback Batman was ok, but this is just annoying.
The Joker's a big enough deal to have him be the lone bad guy. You don't need these other clowns.
Have faith... Batman Begins rocked, and I have no reason to believe this won't as well.
Everything I've heard is that Penguin is going to be a more "normal" baddie, sort of like Falconi in BB. So you'll have Harvey Dent not yet Two-Face, no doubt, Penguin as an arms dealer (supposedly) as a non-major bad guy, and Joker as the "real" and main villain.
That actually sounds pretty awesome.Quote:
Originally Posted by shidoshi
That sounds better, I guess.
The other thing is that, again according to rumor, you aren't going to see the Joker at all until the second half of the movie. It's supposed to be a bit like BB, where you saw the hints of Batman, but he wasn't truly around for the first half. Batman is supposed to be dealing with what the Joker is doing, and trying to track him down, but we won't actually see a Joker for quite a bit of the movie. Less actual Joker, more importance on the aftermath of what he's doing.
He'll probably drop in on Two-Face and the Penguin while he's tracking down the Joker. As in, searching for leads. And then interesting shit will happen with them too.
Is it just me or was the last line of Batman Begins the best line-ender to a movie since Casablanca? The excerpt goes:
Gordon: "I never thanked you..."
Batman: *turns around, slight pause*"...and you'll never have to." *jumps off building gliding down to theme song*
That got my panties wet.
There have been numerous reports that Harvey Dent won't be Two-Face in this movie. Likely, he will be scarred and become two face in Batman 3: Aka Batman 7.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cowutopia
How is it Batman 7 when the francise has started over?Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr-K
It's just that newfangled logic, since it IS the 7th film. I consider 'em technically three different franchises: the West/Ward era, then Keaton/Kilmer/Clooney era, now Bale/Arranofsky(sp?)Quote:
Originally Posted by TobalRox
But then again, it's the same as people calling Charlie and the Chocolate Factory a remake of Willy Wonka. It is just a retelling of the book, not a remake.
By your logic, then, The Dark Knight would be the 8th film. Or did you forget this movie?Quote:
Originally Posted by BerringerX
http://www.deepdiscountdvd.com/image.../FXD001954.jpg
Aronofsky has nothing to do with this movie. He was dropped and it's now Christopher Nolan.Quote:
Originally Posted by BerringerX
And as Dolemite mentioned, there was the West/Ward movie too. Might as well include Mask of the Phantasm, Sub-Zero, Batman/Superman, etc while you're at it.
PS, Return of the Joker uncut rules all. Thank you.
My numbers are all over the place. Let's just call the whole thing off.Quote:
Originally Posted by TobalRox
I quit.
Dammit, I meant Nolan. I need to eat more Wheaties.
Well back to the topic at hand like Shidoshi said Phillipe will most likely not be Two-face in the movie just plain old Harvey Dent and as far as the Penquin well he'll probably just be a side character to keep things intresting till the Joker shows up.
I mean Batman begins had two villians ... Scarecrow and Ra's Al Ghul. They were handled fine and hell most people didn't even know who Ra's was, but the movie explained him fairly well.
I have no doubts about the next one. Unless Goyer completely forgets the mythos he created. Then we have a problem.
With Goyer that's certainly possible.Quote:
Originally Posted by Advocate
Yeah Dole ... check out my last post in the Blade TV thread.
While it's cool that he may not be Two Face, it still doesn't make for good casting... I have similar problems with Venom in Spidey 3.
It sounds way better.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dolemite
SAY IT.
AND Falconi, so three.Quote:
Originally Posted by Advocate
Opps I forgot him, but his role was so secondary; it was almost forgettable.Quote:
Originally Posted by shidoshi
Quote:
Originally Posted by SSH!
That sounds good.
i commend them for going with two people who the comic die hards wouldnt want. i could totally see phillippe playing a sub villian such as dent with an air of arrogance. i remember when the first casting rumors went around they were actually considering timberlake for the dent role. they WANT a pretty boy. then when he gets his face scarred he can get all kinds of phantom of the opera whacked out and just MURDER the character/acting.
and i have a feeling heath will be bringing a completely different and unexpected side to the joker we're all familiar with. i mean he DID just play a very different and gay role in Brokeback. seeing someone take a role like that means they got balls and apparently from all the awards he pulle dit off. remember folks, turning something on its ear is usually the best thing to do in some cases. i have no doubts this movie will be bad ass.
I like how he compared the way he's going to be playing The Joker to A Clockwork Orange. That just sounds right.
New info to back this statement up ->Quote:
Originally Posted by Dolemite
Quote:
Originally Posted by SHH!
That too me sounds fucking sweet. They got it. The Killing Joke is the pure essance of The Joker. Sounds like Heath has yet to read the comic, but when he does he'll underestand why.
I didn't care for the exact origin story protrayed in The Killing Joke. If Joker is a man driven to insanity from a traumatic event, fine.. but the Red Hood origin was too tame for my liking.
I did like how the book explained why it's far too late for Batman's nemesis to accept his truce, and I hope something like that makes it into this current movie franchise.
I'm giving Heath Ledger a chance now. I like the Clockwork Orange/Killing Joke quotes. Besides, the guy took a chance with Brokeback Mountain. That shows he's willing to take risks and do what it takes for a part.
A Killing Joke endorsement doesn't necessarily sell me on the new Joker, especially since Batman '89's Joker was inspired by that GN. The Killing Joke is as influential for the Joker's current image as DKR was for Batman's image in the 90s.
http://www.donkeykongonline.com/diddy_kong_racing.jpgQuote:
Originally Posted by Taito
That game was fantastic.
diddy kong racing rocked, the trutle rocked
Dark Knight's suit is going to be more fabricky than what it has been. I didn't quote this, cause its not that quote worthy.
This is good news. I've never liked the rubber suits.
Rubber nipples rock.
Heath Ledger is going to make a great Joker, and I have absolutely no problem with casting Ryan Phillipe in the movie. Sure, I used to think he was as gay and annoying as the next person. However, I have a lot more repsect for him as an actor after he stopped making movies like "I Know What You Did Last Summer" and "Cruel Intentions" and started making some real movies like "The Way of the Gun" and "Crash."
Rachel MacAdams considered to replace Katie Holmes.
Eh, I'd rather they scrap the character than recast - it's not like she's important to the Batman mythos anyway, whereas not being able to commit to a single partner is part of his identity.