The Dark Knight Did anyone feel a J. Depp/Jack Sparrow vibe from joker?

[Fanticon]

NO! Not at all. End of thread.

 

[abcdefz]

I saw some Hannibal Lecter in there. And, funny enough, one James Spader moment lifted directly from sex, lies, and videotape.

In sex, lies, there's a moment where Spader's character is showing San Giamoco's (?) character his video equipment, and explains that he interviews -- just interviews -- women talking about sex. San Giamoco is slowly taking this all in, then challenges him, "Is this how you get off...?" and he says "Yes" immediately and honestly before she quite finishes. It's excatly the same as "Do you think you can just steal our money and get away with it?" "Yes." Exactly the same. Timing, effect, attitude.

It could just be an accident, but I doubt it. Ledger's already mentioned other movies as influences -- it's fairly likely that he's well-versed enough that he's seeen a Cannes-winning film: movie, best actor (Spader), best director.

 

[regwec]

I don't really think that there were many simularities in the nuances of the two performances, but I can see why somebody might compare the two roles, given their bestial sort of elegance. I would actually duggest that their is more in common with Heath Ledger's Joker and Brad Dourif's Wormtongue, however, in the structural approach taken to each part.

If I could choose anybody to be Heath's understudy for a third film at this stage, however, it would be Depp.

 

[danb26]

Depp based his Jack Sparrow character on Keith Richards from Rolling Stones, whereas Ledger used A Clockwork Orange, among others, as inspiration for his Joker. I didn't get any vibe of Keith Richards when I see Ledger's Joker in TDK.

A very good point indeed, someone did mention on the first page though that they'd like to see a crossover, just once, maybe someone has already done a YouTube mix though

 

[Bunker]

Hell to the no.

 

[Borat]

No vibe. And Depp is like a dog chasing parts he wouldnt know what to do if he got it.

But if they were to re-cast the roll of the Joker why not Joseph Gordon-Levitt. I mean Heath was his mentor in 10 Things I Hate About You

Damn, I could totally see that working. He resembles Heath alot. And I bet with some Joker makeup he would look just like Heath's Joker. Whether or not he could pull the acting off I don't know.

 

[TheBat812]

Maybe in the way that they are both effeminate and yet badass. But that's it.

 

[Figs]

I never got a vibe of Jack Sparrow from Heath's Joker really.

To me it was the Joker.

The only time I felt he did something that would seem like a Jack Sparrow trait/move was when he was walking backwards leaving the mob meeting.

As he is backing up, just for good measure(and a reminder) he kind of shakes his finger/hand that has the string that is attached to the grenades while making a funny noise/murmur. It kind of seemed like something silly Sparrow would do(without grenades obviously), but I never really felt a full on vibe...even in that scene.

 

[Bads316]

Christ, it's really amazing how Ledger is now unmatchable in many people's eyes. I remember the time when no one was even confident in the guy, or at best, had good faith that he could pull it off based on a few noteworthy roles.

Depp has amassed quite a filmography in his career, and is one of the few actors in this generation that can actually promise to deliver a performance that isn't "Johnny Depp as ______". And less we forget, Depp created a cinematic star that the mainstream has fallen in love with, from a pretty generic "goof" character as written in the script. I don't care if you like it or not, but to deliver a performance that truly resonates with your audience and has become part of modern pop culture is a very admirable accomplishment.

I suggest people look at the roles Depp has done prior to TDK, and compare it to Ledger during the same time. How one can conclude that Depp would not be able to attain the same great bar Ledger did, is baffling to me. Both are considered great actors now, but Depp has more notches under his belt.

The disrespect in some of these posts is nauseating.

I dont mean disrespect to Depp as an actor at all -I adore Dead Man, Fear and Loathing, Blow, Finding Neverland, Brasco, are all top films with good performances by him. I find the love for him around here a little strange - labelling anbody as a great actor is a strong statement -Brando, De Niro, Lemmon, Day Lewis - they are great actors, Depp has the potential to be mentioned with those types, no doubt (anymore Pirate films will not help his case). Im not dissing the guy I just dont get where all this Depp worship has come from.

So the mainstream fell in love with him - sorry but what the mainstream likes or doesnt like is of no interest to me or how I measure the greatness of something. The mainstream falls in love with a lot of things. Depps mainstream popularity is another reason I wouldnt want him anywhere near these films or especially THAT role. Ive said it before but the star of the next Batman film should be Christian Bale. If anyone thinks Depp could do a good job as Joker (IM SURE WARNERS WOULD AGREE$$$$$) in the next film then so could countless other actors who hardly get a mention on here - everyone wants Depp to do his schtick.
If Nolan -and Nolan only - chooses to re-cast Joker with Depp then fair enough. Id trust Chris Nolan with my nuts in a vice.

FYI, I was a big supporter of Ledger from the moment he was cast, young, hungry, someone to tear up the rulebook - Depp would just put it back together.

 

[Ace of Knaves]

great post

 

[Etienne]

Exactly, which is even more reason to move onto another villain since we have such a limited time to work with. Comics run monthly so you reach a point where you have no choice but to reuse villains again and again. For all we know, there could only be one more Batman film left in Nolan and I want him to use that time bringing us his take on another Batman villain.

I get what you're saying, the Joker is great and you want to see more of him. And I'm sure if you ask some people, they would want the Joker in every Batman movie. I'm from the school of less is more. I'd hate to see the Joker pop up in every other Batman movie, I enjoy the event feeling a Batman movie takes on when the Joker is in it. And I'd hate for that to be lost if we were kept being fed the Joker in every other Batman movie. Plus, I still want to see other Batman villains done justice.

Also, I liken this Joker to Hannibal Lecter of SOTL. Hannibal is one of the greatest villains of all time in such a limited amount of time in SOTL. But then we got more and more of him and the mystique and aura surrounding the character was just lost. Obviously the Joker will be used again by some other director with an entirely different cast, but for now I want that performance by Ledger as the Joker in TDK to be able to stand by itself for a decent amount of time.

Well said Flawless and I completely agree with you.

 

[GlasgowGrin]

Ledger said there was "a bit of everything" in the Joker and that "there's nothing that's consistent about him," so I'm not at all surprised that someone would see similarities between Ledger's Joker and other iconic characters in film.

 

[BatmanGoesToRio]

To answer the question: No. I never thought of Captain Jack while watching TDK.
Jack Sparrow is a fun character but very one-dimensional. He worked very well for one film but got boring in the two sequels.
Ledger's Joker is one of the best villains ever in a movie IMHO. For me he's on the same level like Alex de Large or Hannibal Lecter.
Would Ledger-Joker work in another Batman film? We'll never know.
But I'm sure he would have.

 

[BatmanGoesToRio]

Edit. Double post.

 

[Quinzel]

Nope.

 

[8Diagrams(WU)]

I dont think of either one when watching either one, but the fact that the actors went as far as creating manerisms and facial expressions for each character did remind me of one another. The uniqueness of the characters is what brings this out.

On another note: My top two guys are Depp and Gordon-Levitt since they are both pretty good actors.

 

[nolan's roll'n]

The only similarity I saw was to Sweeney Todd.

 

[obiwan]

To answer the question: No. I never thought of Captain Jack while watching TDK.
Jack Sparrow is a fun character but very one-dimensional. He worked very well for one film but got boring in the two sequels.
Ledger's Joker is one of the best villains ever in a movie IMHO. For me he's on the same level like Alex de Large or Hannibal Lecter.
Would Ledger-Joker work in another Batman film? We'll never know.
But I'm sure he would have.

both ledgers joker and depps sparrow were both very one note characters, but since depp had 3 movies to develop his character, i'd lean on jack sparrow being the more dimensional character. ledgers joker was a one note baddie. i dont get it when ppl say his performance was "multi dimensional" when he was just being crazy guy with a scar. thats it. done. i dont get why all you are over praising ledger, in fact your making me want to say that ledgers joker is way overrated. tjhere IS a similiarity there, but i didnt know SSH was overflowing with so many Depp haters. i dont LOVE the guy like some crazy fangirls do, but i do admire his talent as an actor, and he IS good.

as for whether anyone agrees with me or not, i am not alone in thinking this. i created a similiar thread stateing the samer thing on imdb, and like 5 ppl agreed with me on this. its just here at SSH that ppl are like all noooooooo way in hell, when its obvious is SOME scenes that he reminds of jack sparrow a bit. some of his facial expressions, and yes, afeminite yet deadly characters, like right after he says whatever does kill you makes you stranger" and he gives that jack sparrow quirky grin and goes away fast. and yes, when he walked backwards after the mob meeting. but the black around eyes also helped in this, since both wear mascara black around there eyes.

 

[Punisher RULES]

they were both unique performances but nah

 

[Venomfan]

i actually thought it felt like Heath prepared for the role by thinking "how would Depp do it" and then copied that.
and the scene where he comes out of the hospital to blow it up and all was very Jack Sparrowy IMO.

the Heath worship is kind of ridiculous, i mean if he was never in this movie 99% of people here wouldn't like him. i mean it seems like there are a lot of closet heath fans all of a sudden, people saying "oh i always liked him" since TDK. Heath has been great in 2 movies, Brokeback and TDK, so he really isn't that comparable to Depp.

 

[nolan's roll'n]

i actually thought it felt like Heath prepared for the role by thinking "how would Depp do it" and then copied that.
and the scene where he comes out of the hospital to blow it up and all was very Jack Sparrowy IMO.

the Heath worship is kind of ridiculous, i mean if he was never in this movie 99% of people here wouldn't like him. i mean it seems like there are a lot of closet heath fans all of a sudden, people saying "oh i always liked him" since TDK. Heath has been great in 2 movies, Brokeback and TDK, so he really isn't that comparable to Depp.

Agreed but Candy was a great film of his as well, check it out sometime soon.

 

[DaRkVeNgeanCe]

NO, and thank god I didnt get that feeling, Depp's Jack Sparrow is highly overrated!

 

[BatmanGoesToRio]

tjhere IS a similiarity there, but i didnt know SSH was overflowing with so many Depp haters. i dont LOVE the guy like some crazy fangirls do, but i do admire his talent as an actor, and he IS good.

I was talking about the Jack Sparrow character not about Johnny Depp himself. Captain Jack is supposed to be a one dimensional fun character IMHO.
And it worked. I laughed a lot in POTC 1 (but not in 2 and 3).

In fact I'm a huge fan of Johnny Depp. One of my favourite actor of all times.
I also liked Jack Sparrow but the POTC sequels did not add anything to this character IMHO. But Depp is great. No doubt about it.

 

[up2nogood316]

yes there was a vibe of sparrow imo. it reminded me of him in the party scene.

but that kid, Joseph Gordon-Levitt... my god he looks like a younger Heath Ledger doesnt he, its almost eerie!! if somehow it came about and he had a shot of being the joker..studied heaths performance and tried to take that as a blueprint of where to take this joker.. it would be incredible. the more i look at him, the more i see heath, its actually quite ridiculous!

 

[nolan's roll'n]

NO, and thank god I didnt get that feeling, Depp's Jack Sparrow is highly overrated!

There's no way me and you are talking about the same Jack Sparrow because he was not overrated.