The Dark Knight Caine: "Heath frightened the life out of me"

[Mr. Socko]

Anyway, was Nicholson ever nominated for his Joker?

No, they didn't nominate his Joker but did place him on the AFI list.

 

[DeaDheaD]

He was basically playing himself as a drunk clown though.

 

[Mr. Socko]

He was basically playing himself as a drunk clown though.

So basically, Jack made the AFI list by just being himself

 

[Gotham]

That's talent, baby. Talent.

 

[Gianakin_]

an oscar nom for ledgers joker? LOL.

anyway, i havent read this whole thread but i can already smell some ledger/nicholson debateing and nicholson bashing. you have to remember, they are playing 2 very different jokers. nicholson was crazy and insane but in a slight campy way which has always fit the character. i have a feeling ledger is going to be too much phychopath and not enough Joker. you need a balance, and nicholson had it. heaths looks like its gonna be darker, but too scary. i never really found joker scary, only really in Arkham Assylum, but other then that, ive always found joker funny and slightly creepy, but never SCARY. ill just have to wait to see what ledger does before i start bashing anyone, but topping nicholson is close to impossible.

You won't bash anyone, but you laugh at the very idea of Ledger getting nominated...?

 

[SpinyNorman]

That's pretty damn cool.

Hey, I finally figured out who Heath's voice reminds me of. Check this out, it's pretty damn weird: http://youtube.com/watch?v=O7FN8Lrri2E

 

[Mr. Socko]

You won't bash anyone, but you laugh at the very idea of Ledger getting nominated...?

That's GoogleMe for you...

 

[DeaDheaD]

YOU LOVE ME, YOU REALLY, REALLY LOVE ME!!!!

 

[Hobodeluxe]

not to rain on anyone's parade but while Caine does praise Ledger's work nowhere does he mention an Oscar. That was the reporter.

that said. it would be HUGE for a comic book movie performance to win one.

 

[Gotham]

not to rain on anyone's parade but while Caine does praise Ledger's work nowhere does he mention an Oscar. That was the reporter.

that said. it would be HUGE for a comic book movie performance to win one.

The reporter mentioned that Caine had said that. She only included the juiciest bit of information that Caine gave away. Did you read? "Caine suggest that he might even be up for an Oscar.."

 

[Yurka]

Not sure if this has been posted anywhere, had a bit of a search and couldnt find anything so thought I'd post it here, if it's already been discussed the moderators can feel free to delete or merge.

Today's issue of the Melbourne Sunday Herald-Sun (Sept 23) carries a brief interview with Michael Caine talking about Heath Ledger's performance in THE DARK KNIGHT, suggesting he could be up for an Oscar nomination for his work.

Here's some of what Caine had to say:

"The worry going in was The Joker.

Jack Nicholson was the greatest Joker so, you know, how do you top that? Well, Heath Ledger's done it and he's extraordinary.

He's gone in a completely different direction to Jack. Jack was like a clown figure, benign but wicked, maybe a killer old uncle. He could be funny and make you laugh.

Heath is like a really scary psychopath. I did one scene with him and he was ready to go and had to come up in a lift and raid our place.

I didn't see him for rehearsal and when he came out of the lift he was so incredible I forgot my lines. He frightened the life out of me.

I'd never met him before. He's a lovely guy and his Joker is going to be a hell of a revelation in this picture."

The only photo accompanying the article is the pic of heath holding the knife up to Maggie G's face.

Thats great

 

[Anjow1060]

adding to the "not to rain on a parade"

But does anyone else get the feeling this is all one big PR move, kinda like the mentioning of Ninjas in the beginning of filming and all that? Everybody keeps talking about Heath being so incredible.

I'm not saying he is or isn't, or will or won't be. Cuz he just might be completley badass.

BUT.

Just to play devil's advocate.

Is it possible this is a Nolan inspired move to get people in a positive state of mind about Heath? Trying to sway the audience before they even see the movie? Kinda like trailers when the voice over guy goes

"This third installment is packed to the rafters with activity and excitement." "There's oodles of sub-stories, and drama galore..."
"Contains some of the most joyously nutty sequences ever to grace a summer blockbuster."

All Spider-man 3 preview reviews. Aka Brainwashing...err...propaganda,

Idk, to me, it seems like either Heath WILL be amazing......or they're overcompensating to get nicholson out of people's heads or heath ain't doin to good and they can't let the movie fall because of it.

But thats just me.

Oh well.......back to waiting for ParanoidBoy's "call sheet" i go.......

- Jow

 

[Gotham]

adding to the "not to rain on a parade"

But does anyone else get the feeling this is all one big PR move, kinda like the mentioning of Ninjas in the beginning of filming and all that? Everybody keeps talking about Heath being so incredible.

I'm not saying he is or isn't, or will or won't be. Cuz he just might be completley badass.

BUT.

Just to play devil's advocate.

Is it possible this is a Nolan inspired move to get people in a positive state of mind about Heath? Trying to sway the audience before they even see the movie? Kinda like trailers when the voice over guy goes

"This third installment is packed to the rafters with activity and excitement." "There's oodles of sub-stories, and drama galore..."
"Contains some of the most joyously nutty sequences ever to grace a summer blockbuster."

All Spider-man 3 preview reviews. Aka Brainwashing...err...propaganda,

Idk, to me, it seems like either Heath WILL be amazing......or they're overcompensating to get nicholson out of people's heads or heath ain't doin to good and they can't let the movie fall because of it.

But thats just me.

Oh well.......back to waiting for ParanoidBoy's "call sheet" i go.......

- Jow

That doesn't make much sense because no one but Caine has really spoken about Heath indepth. In fact, mum has been the word from Warners. They refuse to attach themselves to the online campaign, even the crew agree'ing. I really think that Heath is amazing and is garnering these comments because of his talent in portraying the role. Adding this last bit - they wouldn't start the firestorm this early.

 

[donk70]

adding to the "not to rain on a parade"

But does anyone else get the feeling this is all one big PR move, kinda like the mentioning of Ninjas in the beginning of filming and all that? Everybody keeps talking about Heath being so incredible.

I'm not saying he is or isn't, or will or won't be. Cuz he just might be completley badass.

BUT.

Just to play devil's advocate.

Is it possible this is a Nolan inspired move to get people in a positive state of mind about Heath? Trying to sway the audience before they even see the movie? Kinda like trailers when the voice over guy goes

"This third installment is packed to the rafters with activity and excitement." "There's oodles of sub-stories, and drama galore..."
"Contains some of the most joyously nutty sequences ever to grace a summer blockbuster."

All Spider-man 3 preview reviews. Aka Brainwashing...err...propaganda,

Idk, to me, it seems like either Heath WILL be amazing......or they're overcompensating to get nicholson out of people's heads or heath ain't doin to good and they can't let the movie fall because of it.

But thats just me.

Oh well.......back to waiting for ParanoidBoy's "call sheet" i go.......

- Jow

You know, I'm wondering the same thing. Why else would Caine be talking about Ledger in an interview.

 

[Gotham]

You know, I'm wondering the same thing. Why else would Caine be talking about Ledger in an interview.

Oh, I dunno. Maybe because Joker is one of the most classic villains of all time? Wait! What about Michael Caine? Isn't he Alfred in The-Dark-Knight?

Reporter's thought's:

Caine = Dark Knight = Ledger = Joker = Great article.

 

[Gianakin_]

adding to the "not to rain on a parade"

But does anyone else get the feeling this is all one big PR move, kinda like the mentioning of Ninjas in the beginning of filming and all that? Everybody keeps talking about Heath being so incredible.

I'm not saying he is or isn't, or will or won't be. Cuz he just might be completley badass.

BUT.

Just to play devil's advocate.

Is it possible this is a Nolan inspired move to get people in a positive state of mind about Heath? Trying to sway the audience before they even see the movie? Kinda like trailers when the voice over guy goes

"This third installment is packed to the rafters with activity and excitement." "There's oodles of sub-stories, and drama galore..."
"Contains some of the most joyously nutty sequences ever to grace a summer blockbuster."

All Spider-man 3 preview reviews. Aka Brainwashing...err...propaganda,

Idk, to me, it seems like either Heath WILL be amazing......or they're overcompensating to get nicholson out of people's heads or heath ain't doin to good and they can't let the movie fall because of it.

But thats just me.

Oh well.......back to waiting for ParanoidBoy's "call sheet" i go.......

- Jow

If that's the case... it's a brilliant and necessary tactic. People usually refuse to let go of the past and cannot accept that something will be different. Most are anxious to make comparisons. If what you speculate is actually true, it's a good way to make people warmer towards Ledger and not automatically go on "Ledger will fail because of Nicholson" mode.

 

[Anjow1060]

That doesn't make much sense because no one but Caine has really spoken about Heath indepth. In fact, mum has been the word from Warners. They refuse to attach themselves to the online campaign, even the crew agree'ing. I really think that Heath is amazing and is garnering these comments because of his talent in portraying the role. Adding this last bit - they wouldn't start the firestorm this early.

Actually, Bale, Oldman, Maggie and Aaron have all made comments at some point or another.

Who knows? He very well maybe just that badass they keep saying. OR, they're trying to push it on us that he's great by having actors we already love say it. Kinda like when celebrities endorse politicians. Follow me?

- Jow

 

[Anjow1060]

If that's the case... it's a brilliant and necessary tactic. People usually refuse to let go of the past and cannot accept that something will be different. Most are anxious to make comparisons. If what you speculate is actually true, it's a good way to make people warmer towards Ledger and not automatically go on "Ledger will fail because of Nicholson" mode.

I hope it's of the mentality to make people forget about Nicholson and not to cover up a bad performance.

- Jow

 

[Gotham]

Actually, Bale, Oldman, Maggie and Aaron have all made comments at some point or another.

Who knows? He very well maybe just that badass they keep saying. OR, they're trying to push it on us that he's great by having actors we already love say it. Kinda like when celebrities endorse politicians. Follow me?

- Jow

Right. That's cool and all. You might have forgotten to read my comment "No one has spoken about Heath in-depth."

 

[Gianakin_]

I hope it's of the mentality to make people forget about Nicholson and not to cover up a bad performance.

- Jow

Not actually forget, but lay off the uneven and unjustified (at this point) comparisons. And, while I doubt we'll get a bad performance, one should be open to all possibilities; and the one aforementioned is indeed one of many.

 

[GregComicFan]

Wait Wait Wait

So going by what Michael Caine said, does this mean The Joker "raids" Bruce Wayne's penthouse in The Dark Knight. Oh man! Again? So is every Batman villain going to rip and tear and burn Bruce Wayne's home? haha.

 

[GregComicFan]

Also...

I do have confidence in Heath Ledger's Joker. From everything I've heard, it does sound like this is going to be a completely different Joker. Jack Nicholson was the "funny yet homicidal goofball" and Ledger is just going to be full on "insane serial killer" mode. I wonder how they're going to add depth to the Joker's character though if he's just "pure concentrated evil". But then again, honestly, the Joker was never one of Batman's more three dimensional villains to begin with...which is why he's not one of my favorites. Two-Face is more in league with that.

 

[Gianakin_]

Yes, but not because he knows Bruce is Bats this time. He goes in search of Batman.But I never got why both Joker and Two-Face in BF conclude that Batman's alter ego is a high-society guy. Of course, I don't know what happens in TDK (maybe the Joker gets evidence that Batman is one of the rich Gothamites), but it strikes me as an odd thing. Did I miss something in BF?

 

[donk70]

Oh, I dunno. Maybe because Joker is one of the most classic villains of all time? Wait! What about Michael Caine? Isn't he Alfred in The-Dark-Knight?

Reporter's thought's:

Caine = Dark Knight = Ledger = Joker = Great article.

No, you ****ing smart ass. Think about it: Why would Caine be talking at length about Ledger as the Joker when he's in the same movie? Don't you think that he'd be talking about his role?

 

[Tournée d'adieu]

Actually, Bale, Oldman, Maggie and Aaron have all made comments at some point or another.

Who knows? He very well maybe just that badass they keep saying. OR, they're trying to push it on us that he's great by having actors we already love say it. Kinda like when celebrities endorse politicians. Follow me?

- Jow

Yeah, I think it's always smart to take comments like Caine's with a grain of salt. It could easily be PR...even if Ledger is bad I don't think anyone in the cast or crew would proclaim it, and instead would take the professional/safe road of praise.

Nevertheless, would an actor of Caine's age and stature say anything anymore unless he meant it? I suppose I'm thinking of interviews with actors like Morgan Freeman, actors so embedded in the upper crust of Hollywood that they can trash a project and still get fantastic work. Or to be less dramatic, speak truthfully and not fear the results of not following the production company's lead.

In this instance I think it depends on Caine's history of how he speaks about his projects and fellow actors. Is he usually wildly complimentary or does he tend to give his honest opinion (assuming the two don't match)?