The Dark Knight "Heath Ledger Fans Call for Joker's Retirement From Film"

[TheVileOne]

I agree. Retire Joker from the Nolan series for good.

Heath Ledger was the Ultimate Joker.

 

[FCEEVIPER]

Was Heath Ledger the greatest Joker of all time?

Without a single doubt.

But it's a fair question: Should Hollywood retire the Joker from film?

No, the Joker character IS/WILL always be bigger than the actor >period<

 

[Anita18]

Bloody hell. :facepalm

This finally showed up on CNN.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Movies/02/12/ledgerjokercampaign.screeningroom/

And I second that notion, Mister J.

 

[Kieser1]

1966 -Cesar Romero
1989- Jack Nicholson
2008- Heath Ledger
2020’s- ???

It seems that around every 20 years, we get a better and more darker portrayal of the Joker then what we previously had. I wouldn't be surprised if this trend continues, with maybe an R-rated Batman film in the far future. I think it would be a shame to end it with Heath, and not allow another great actor to perform his take on the character.

 

[Ibn]

TDK's got quite a few major flaws. The adaptation of the Joker character is not one of them, at least not within the film itself. If a fanboy wants to nitpick accuracy according to comic book mythos, then the Joker character can easily be viewed as a major flaw in the movie.

The biggest flaws in TDK would be the caricature of mobsters, the ferry boat scene, the fight with SWAT, Bale's Batman voice, the fact that the film is around 20 minutes too long, etc.

I actually disagree. It didn't hit me the first time because I was so entranced by Heath Ledgers performance, but the Joker did a little too much preaching for an "anarchist". Like that whole speech in the Hospital, breaking down "the plan". Sounded like he was trying to be Che Guevara rather than Hitler. And the whole thing with Batman about "showing him". He was starting to seem like the hero of the story for a while. That's b.s. to me. The Joker shouldn't be preaching to ANYONE.

That said. Heath's performance was outstanding. But you know what, so was Jack. If Jack can be topped, so can Heath. This whole thing is a ****in fiasco. Somebody come up with a gate name for this. Like Jokergate or something. BTW Frank, I feel your pain

 

[zeptron]

Suppose they do decide to get someone else doing Joker and it isn't as good as Heath's then there will be so much *****ing and complaining. This is why I say let the character fade for now and focus on others like Riddler, Catwoman, etc.

 

[Motown Marvel]

this whole idea is completely ignorant.

 

[Rolf]

I told you this would happen, I did, but did anyone listen? NO!

Pay attention next time I make a long ranting thread.

I get the feeling that these people's wish will be granted eventually and warner will ban the Joker from being used again, for a few years at least.

 

[Majik1387]

Don't be stupid. They won't retire a character that makes them money.

 

[Bat-Mite]

I actually disagree. It didn't hit me the first time because I was so entranced by Heath Ledgers performance, but the Joker did a little too much preaching for an "anarchist". Like that whole speech in the Hospital, breaking down "the plan".

...That was kind of the point. He didn't mean much if any of that speech he gave to Harvey, because he was just trying to push Harvey over the edge with it. Hence why he gave him a gun at the same time he was talking to him.

Sounded like he was trying to be Che Guevara rather than Hitler. And the whole thing with Batman about "showing him". He was starting to seem like the hero of the story for a while. That's b.s. to me. The Joker shouldn't be preaching to ANYONE.

Have you never read The Killing Joke? The preachiest Joker parts in this movie were borrowed from it.

 

[roach]

this is silly. Did anyone retire Superman after CR died???? And his role as Superman touched more ppl than Heath's Joker. Imagine if this was done after Batman and WB retired the Joker forever from film then???
Someone will come a long and do a better job than Heath. Sean Connery is the best James Bond but it didnt stop me from enjoying the Roger Moore films or the Pierce Brosnan films.

 

[byte19]

read that cnn article.... it's like retiring Jordan's no. so they can do it for Heath.

comparing this stupidity to M.J.? i will kill these idiots!!

 

[roach]

and this is how the mainstream looks at fan boys

 

[Mistah K88]

*sigh* I hate it when people see The Dark Knight and think they know everything about Batman and his characters. I wouldn't care to see Joker in the next film because I want to see them dive into Batman's rougues gallery a bit. However, I do want to see Joker in the future, Heath is not the Joker and the Joker is not Heath. I almost want them to put Joker in the next film just to spite these people, it would be a good sadistic laugh... just like Joker would want it.

 

[CaptainClown]

jesus who are these fans, cause the hardcore fans are on these boards. I know most of us against a recast don't want it for the Nolan series, not all batman films... these are all hot topic wannabes

 

[CaptainClown]

Also I say our fans create a petition that says "Dont be stupid idiots petition to stop their petition and that we all back hand slap them"

 

[KILLING JOKER]

I've been out of these boards for a while and I come back to this. Well, for someone to be behind such a petition is more a Ledger fan than a Joker fan and if you deny this and try to really proclaim that Ledgers role as The Joker is perfect and can never be topped, well......you simply don't see the depth and richness of the character.

So, you don't want to see another Joker that has added dimension. You don't want to see another amazing actor blow your mind the way Heath did? Ever? Ridiculous. I don't want a new Joker for the Nolan movies but to retire the character from film is like saying Daniel Craig was such a great Bond, let's make him the last one....phessh....whatever.

 

[hatebox]

I actually disagree. It didn't hit me the first time because I was so entranced by Heath Ledgers performance, but the Joker did a little too much preaching for an "anarchist". Like that whole speech in the Hospital, breaking down "the plan". Sounded like he was trying to be Che Guevara rather than Hitler.

?

Hitler wasn't an anarchist, and couldn't shut up about his plans to re-strengthen Germany...

Anyway, Joker talking on and on about his world view is perfectly in line with comics.

 

[CaptainClown]

I've been out of these boards for a while and I come back to this. Well, for someone to be behind such a petition is more a Ledger fan than a Joker fan and if you deny this and try to really proclaim that Ledgers role as The Joker is perfect and can never be topped, well......you simply don't see the depth and richness of the character.

So, you don't want to see another Joker that has added dimension. You don't want to see another amazing actor blow your mind the way Heath did? Ever? Ridiculous. I don't want a new Joker for the Nolan movies but to retire the character from film is like saying Daniel Craig was such a great Bond, let's make him the last one....phessh....whatever.

my brain kind of messed up the title so forgive my previous post implying it was joer ffans.

 

[Motown Marvel]

Have you never read The Killing Joke? The preachiest Joker parts in this movie were borrowed from it.

which parts?

 

[Batman137]

i would very much like to see a visit to arkham in the third and have some joker recognition, but never hear or see him. Which would be difficult, but i still would like to see to fill in the missing gap

 

[Yurka]

This is absolutely ridiculous.

 

[Jochimus]

Um...yeah, these folks aren't comic book or Batman fans. They're Ledger fans, plain and simple.

Sorry, but I fully expect another actor to play the Joker on film again someday. I have to agree that he's a pop-culture icon larger than any one actor who has portrayed him.

 

[ChrisBaleBatman]

Yes. Someday.

I agree that there shouldn't be another Joker in the NOLAN films.

But, we WILL see another Joker again someday.

We have to.

 

[the_ultimate_evil]

i left a comment

i saw this site in the paper, and as huge a joker fan i am, i must say this is one of the most ridiculous idea i have seen from fanboys( and trust me thats a big list)

did ledger portray the character in a fantastic way, yes in no doubt,but to demand the characters removal from not just any future nolan films, but any future batman films is moronic.

who is to say 20 years from now( which if you do the math is about the time a new joker appears in film) a new actor has a chance and brings something new and fantastic to the screen and dare i say it surpasses ledger as the clown prince. you would deny future film fans and batman fans this opportunity. why not only allow one writer to write the character or one artist to draw them, if we used this logic we wouldn't even have had the multiple versions of then joker

Iconic characters such as the joker are far bigger than anyone actor, and to limit them to a one time performance is not only idiotic but a crime against why we fans love these characters, the ability to show case so many different takes on the character.

now lets see what kind of reaction i get