Batman Sequel Title Announced
And Warners confirms Joker casting.
July 31, 2006 - Warner Bros. has announced the title of the next film in the Batman franchise. The Dark Knight will be the name of the Chris Nolan-directed flick. And the studio confirms that Heath Ledger will play the role of The Joker. Jeff Robinov, President of Production, Warner Bros. Pictures, made the announcement late Monday.
"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 cant wait to see two such formidable actors as Christian and Heath face off with each other as Batman and The Joker."
"Im 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 Ledgers interpretation of this iconic character taking on Christian Bales Batman is going to be incredible."
The Dark Knight begins filming in early 07 from a script by Jonathan Nolan. Before they battle each other as the Caped Crusader and the Clown Prince of Crime, Bale and Ledger will first appear together in the Bob Dylan-themed pic Im Not There.
In related news, The Batman-on-Film.com website reiterates the rumor that the next Batman movie will feature multiple villains, namely Joker and The Penguin. The latter will reportedly be reconceived for the film as "a British arms dealer/mob boss with designs on Gotham."
And who is said to have been offered the role of The Penguin? Nolan reportedly wants previously rumored candidate Philip Seymour Hoffman, who ironically beat Heath Ledger in this past years Oscar race for Best Actor. Like Ledger, however, Hoffman is said to be reluctant to join the sequel.
Finally, a BoF report claims that Ryan Phillippe is in the running for the role of D.A. Harvey Dent, a.k.a. the future Two-Face. Phillippe appeared in last years Best Picture, Crash, and will next be seen in Clint Eastwoods Flags of Our Fathers.
Jesus wept :disappointed:
It could be worse ... it could have been Freddie Prince Jr, ha ha ha!!!
Can anyone name a good Heath Ledger film ..... er cos I cant!!!!
I like A Knights Tale. Brokeback Mountain is supposed to be good but Ive not seen it so I cant comment.
He might be good, you never know.
Its not so much a case of might be good, its total mis-casting. Worse than Daniel Craig as Bond; this is a different league of mis-casting, IMO he cannot bring anything remotely fitting the guise of Joker to the table.
His lack of charisma and screen presence is the biggest factor. Nicholson he aint.
Quote from: Clockd 0NeIts not so much a case of might be good, its total mis-casting. Worse than Daniel Craig as Bond; this is a different league of mis-casting, IMO he cannot bring anything remotely fitting the guise of Joker to the table.
His lack of charisma and screen presence is the biggest factor. Nicholson he aint.
Sean Penn Has a good face for it and was on the cards.
Paul Bettany was also up for the role - wtf?
Hopefully the scipt will be very good and how hes told to play the role means he wont be able to f**k it up.
As for the role, it wil be as dark and evil as the latter comics rather then stupid his totaly mental evil. Not seen him play such a role, will have to see, he must have done a pritty good mad man on script readings.
It doesnt matter though does it, hes a pretty face to pull in the stubs like Orlando driftwood Bloom.
Quote from: Clockd 0NeIt doesnt matter though does it, hes a pretty face to pull in the stubs like Orlando driftwood Bloom.
I was talking to deaths head, i cant find the mock up now but somoene used a black and white photo of him with short hair and an ebvil latter comic style joker artowrk as a base and whacked it overlay style, looked quite good
It does sound like a bad casting, but given the fact Nolan is directing again and he did such a fantastic job last time I will withhold judgement until seeing it - especially since lots of people were skeptical over Bale to begin with.
Im disappointed the rumours didnt pan out that Michael Keaton was to play Joker :(
Quote from: GoblinIm disappointed the rumours didnt pan out that Michael Keaton was to play Joker :(
Was allways not going to happern, to old, this is ment to be young batman and young Joker starting out his life of insane crime.
As sam says allways best to hold judgment there has been many casting that people have gone "hmmm", "no way" and they have ended up being very good.