Unlike The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, Heath Ledger completed his scenes for The Dark Knight before his shocking death. But one of the first questions to pop up in the aftermath was how this would affect the film -- could viewers stomach his portrayal in the same way? It's impossible to eradicate thoughts of his death from the mind as the news continues to grow and audiences finally break through the doors to see for themselves.However, according to Cinema Blend, there have already been screenings, and they've presented problems for the dark and sure-to-be-awesome film. One scene in particular has been bothering audiences to the point that it might be completely removed from the film.
Hit the jump to find out more, but move on if you want no details about the brief scene.
Quoted from CB: "The scene involves Ledger's Joker character pretending to be dead and being pictured in a body bag. Apparently the aftershock of Ledger's unfortunate death are such that many in the screening reacted rather badly to this moment."
While I can understand and imagine how eerie and disturbing that scene must be, it would be a shame to cut part of his performance due to what happened. If this was a lighter and more upbeat film, a scene that became darker due to later circumstances would be a shame, but this is The Dark Knight. His role is eerie, and is sure to be uncomfortable no matter what we see. Heck, I get goosebumps from the "Why so serious?" poster I included with the post. This is what Heath created, and I hope we can experience it in full.
But what do you think? Should the scene be cut out for sensitive audiences? Or, should it remain intact?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
4-10-2008 @ 1:17PM
that one guy said...
I hope it stays in the film. I understand why someone would be shocked or even appalled by it, but it's part of Heath's performance and more than likely, a part of the story. We'll see, but I'm guessing it will be cut out.
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4-10-2008 @ 1:17PM
Paul Arnette said...
Isn't pandering to the 'typical' test audience member what has Hollywood in the sorry state it is in the first place?
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4-10-2008 @ 1:24PM
Eric said...
So should they edit every film he dies in? like The Patriot. Come on this is BS he was a actor, he would want it still in the film.
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4-10-2008 @ 1:30PM
The Addict said...
I agree - cutting any part of his performance that isn't for a legitimate editing reason is an insult to his performance and his memory. I've seen the picture of The Joker in the body bag and while it's creepy, I think it's something that is a pretty significant plot point in the film.
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4-10-2008 @ 1:32PM
Lane said...
This is getting blown way out of proportion. The source info comes from a spy account recounted on the blog of a well known Brazilian film journalist and translated to English (rather poorly) by Google. Cinemablend is simply taking this isolated and very basic report and amplifying it to serve its own ends. There is no way this scene is getting cut, this is mere sensationalism.
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4-10-2008 @ 1:40PM
Oneiroi said...
Leave it in. This is just a momentary reaction, this film will last longer than when people have this squimish reaction. The film shouldn't suffer for it.
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4-10-2008 @ 1:49PM
AutomagV said...
They shouldn't cut it out because of a bunch of pussies whining about their feelings being hurt. Lame. Lets cover everything in nerf so dumb asses won't hurt themselves anymore. How about instituting a policy to boil all food sold at restaurants so retards who don't chew won't ever worry about choking. That's straight up Gaylord Focker! Pandering the the lowest common denominator is pathetic. Sad and pathetic.
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4-10-2008 @ 2:33PM
John R said...
Honestly, can some people just grow a pair?
I have no doubt in my mind that Ledger would want every second of his performance left intact in the film if he was satisfied with it. It'd more of a diservice and an insult if it were cut up!
I will be insanely livid if I pay for IMAX tickets to a movie that's been cut to all hell because of a bunch of sensitive pansies. Leave it in.
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4-10-2008 @ 2:58PM
Michael said...
dude how the hell do i become a test screener so i can see movies this early
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4-10-2008 @ 3:05PM
Jennifer said...
No actor worth their salt is going to want something edited from a movie because they died. Heath Ledger should/would be proud of his work in movies. He was a brilliant actor who died too soon.
The film audience going to see this movie should have no reservations about the movie. They've already said that this Batman series is Frank Miller style. If u don't know what that means by now after Sin City and 300 then you probably don't need to see Dark Knight to begin with.
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4-10-2008 @ 8:13PM
NvM said...
Not so much Miller, as a combination of the mature Batmans, and not the Saturday cartoon show like the 90s films.
None of this film should be cut, and I doubt any of it will.
4-10-2008 @ 4:25PM
Chris said...
It should not be cut. If Ledger did the scene, he wanted it in there and was proud to do it. The movie should honor that. On the audience side, it should only add to the dramatic effect.
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4-10-2008 @ 4:34PM
ketch said...
I'm starting to think that Heath didn't die and it's all a huge scam, Joker style... wishful thinking, maybe... but anyways, if they do start to take out scenes then the movie will end up being one that I do not wish to see.
It's an insult to his memory as an actor and if I where Chris Nolan I would Alan Smithee the butchered piece.
And /agree with Jennifer
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4-10-2008 @ 5:14PM
Melissa said...
I usually don't comment on these things, but cutting up (what we assume will be) a brilliant performance by Ledger makes me seethe. C'mon test audience people - he played a villain as his last role. It's not supposed to be a pleasant walk in the park.
Make this judgment call: keep every second that elevates this movie from just another action film to a blockbuster of massive proportions. Even if that makes some moviegoers feel a little squeamish. Trust me, I'll be one of those batman geeks shelling out hard earned cash to see this on the big screen, and I would rather feel uncomfortable for a moment than miss out and feel disappointed.
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4-10-2008 @ 5:25PM
Jordan said...
i'm fairly positive nolan came out and said that not a frame of heath's performance was to be edited...so i think this is some ridiculous rumor/speculation business...no one even knows for sure if anyone has actually SEEN the film, it's just some random report from some brazilian newspaper or something that somebody else translated haphazardly and now people have got this idea that there's some uproar about ledger's performance...ahh, the internet.
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4-10-2008 @ 6:02PM
tara said...
I think this part should stay in the film because its what heath ledger created and dark and mysterious character and he would have wanted every scene he was in to be put on the big screen.
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4-10-2008 @ 6:13PM
lee said...
it should stay in the film. he would want it to stay. If people cant separate reality from fiction, then they should stay home.
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4-10-2008 @ 6:24PM
ilpasetto said...
it shouldn't be removed. heath's work would have been for naught if it is removed. i agree that he portrayed it the way he did for a reason and i believe that as a long time actor, he would want it to be left in the film to add what it may to his portrayal of the joker.
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4-10-2008 @ 9:33PM
sansrage said...
I agree, leave it in!! Heath Ledger was an actor and a damned good one at that. He really got into this role from the interviews he gave. It'd be a shame to take it out because some people got "uncomfortable"! Sadly, from the description of the scene these same people would be uncomfortable with it anyway no matter what happened to Ledger.
Leave it in...stop pandering to test audiences.
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4-10-2008 @ 10:36PM
Joe said...
I hope it does not get cut. Why because if it was me. I would want people to see what I worked hard on to give people a great time at the movie. I can't talk for Heath but like I said if I died I would want people to know I really worked hard on this movie. So for me if they take out this screen it is like they are destroying Heath's Memory.
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