More Batman Sequel Talk
Filed under: RumorMonger, Fandom, DIY/Filmmaking, Johnny Depp, Comic/Superhero/Geek, Remakes and Sequels
While nothing has been officially confirmed yet, word on the street is Heath Ledger will most likely be taking on the role of Joker in Christopher Nolan's Untitled Batman Begins Sequel. And, at first, I was pretty bummed to hear this news. Don't get me wrong, the guy is a decent actor, but we're talking about one of the greatest villains of all time here -- Heath Ledger isn't exactly the first name that comes to mind.
However, after reading the latest insider sequel scoop over at Batman-On-Film, I'm feeling a tad better about this whole Ledger thing. According to one of their spy's, Nolan is looking to take a very different approach when it comes to the Joker character, one that will be nothing like Nicholson's version. The new Joker will be "very creepy and very extreme." And, most likely, he won't show up until halfway through the film, a la Batman in Begins. There will be a backstory given to the Joker and he will not be the only villain in the film. Says the spy, "Nolan and his brother have a couple of surprises up their sleeves!"
Supposedly, one of the reasons why Nolan wanted to go with Ledger is because, while very well-known, the actor has never taken on a role like this before. This way, audiences going in don't know what to expect. Face it, throw Johnny Depp or Robin Williams in there and, chances are, you're going re-call every film in which either actor played some weird and kooky character. With Ledger, you have nothing to base an opinion off of. A blank slate, so to speak. Yeah, I'm digging it. Don't worry Heath, I've got your back ... well, not in a, you know know, kind of way. I mean, not that there's anything wrong with that.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-28-2006 @ 12:34PM
Patrick said...
I'm stoked. That is all.
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7-28-2006 @ 12:37PM
Arden said...
God this is depressing.
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7-28-2006 @ 1:22PM
RC of strangeculture said...
Interesting thoughts...i do agree robin williams and johnny depp are way to conventional and i gotta trust nolan...
it will almost make heath's character seem more nuerotic since we've never seen him play a role like that...good thoughts...very good thoughts.
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7-28-2006 @ 2:13PM
Our Mrs. Reynolds said...
Well, actually, when I first heard the rumors, they were throwing about Paul Bettany's name. I loved that idea, first of all, because, well, I love Paul Bettany. But then again, I guess that would also fall into a "quirky character" type thing... and maybe he's tired of playing villains, since that seems to be his trend lately.
I was furious when I first heard Heath Ledger was in the running, but again, now that I think about it, I will have to give him a chance. I am allowing myself to be pleasantly surprised.
Batman Begins was not the conventional Batman movie, so why have the conventional Batman villain?
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7-28-2006 @ 2:46PM
jim said...
Ya know...I don't know about Ledger's performance, but maybe he will pull it off. I'm now looking forward to it. Just another 2 years....
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7-28-2006 @ 5:46PM
K. wood said...
I almost got heart attack first to hear Heath Ledger is going to play Joker.
He was candidate for Spiderman, Alexander, even James Bond. Just can't figure out how he's going to portray the villain. This could be a bad choice for him and for the film.
However on second thought, he is a good and versatile actor. He has been down and up in his career already in his young age. He know what he's doing. So are the film makers.
Imaging a Joker(Ledger) equivalent to the age, size, height, strength, look to Batman(Bale) is getting more and more excited. The new Joker would be a pretty boy with dark spirit, even more creepy.
Ledger is the Joker, begins.
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7-28-2006 @ 6:08PM
Chris said...
There have been a lot of different origins for the Joker over the years. If they go with the hard edged gangster route, I could see Ledger pulling it off. Its a lot less capering clown prince, and more baseball bat to the back of the head (with a smile).
Its not the most popular Joker, but it still fits into the comic book canon, and it would work well in the more realistically grounded version of Batman we saw in the last movie. You couldn't have a 'real world' Batman and a cartoony Joker.
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7-29-2006 @ 8:50AM
cappuccino said...
Heath is fine, but I just think that Joker should be older.
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