The Dark Knight Heath Talks to LR About the Joker.

[Miranda Fox]

Raise your hand if you were betting the script was already finished? *does so* Yeah, we were right.

What's next for you?
Ledger: Next thing is playing the Joker next year.

What motivated you to take on the role? Were you familiar or a fan with the character?
Ledger: I guess if I was a fan of a comic book character it would be the Joker. The offer motivated me to take it, the opportunity to play this guy. Somewhere inside I kind of knew instantly what to do with it. I didn't feel like I had to search for it, I feel like I have a plan of attack already and that usually dictates whether I want to do something or not, if I have an understanding of it straight away.

Have you met with Chris or Christian or have you just formulated what you want to do independently?
Ledger: At this point it's solo. Chris Nolan's still busy, or he was, with "The Prestige" and they're still writing the script. They're so guarded, even with me. I don't have a script. I've read it once, at Chris Nolan's house, but he wouldn't let me leave with it.

http://www.latinoreview.com/news.php?id=1111

 

[batman44]

Cool, two interviews in a day

http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=90305

 

[Miranda Fox]

Cool, two interviews in a day

http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=90305

This bit will please many on here:

HL: The Killing Joke was the one that was handed to me. I think it’s going to be the beginning of The Joker. I guess that book explains a little bit of where he’s from but not too much. From what I’ve gathered, there isn’t a lot of information about The Joker and it’s left that way.

Thanks for the link.

Edit: Now this is interesting - remember that interview that riled everyone awhile ago? He pretty much contradicts it here:

HL: No and I think that’s kind of helping me a little bit. I was never really a fan of comic books or comic book movies. I never despised them but I was never one to read them. I never sought out the films but I would sit down and enjoy them. So because of that I really feel that I’m not carrying much pressure.

Hmm.

 

[Van Petrol]

Nice!

 

[ChrisBaleBatman]

Great stuff.

 

[BatScot]

If anyone bought the whole "the script isn't finished yet" story, well... they just weren't thinking. I suspect there has been a late stage script in existence for quite some time, and that if you got your hands on it that you'd have a fairly complete rendering of the final product.

Hats off to Latino Review and Newsarama for posting something of real interest it's been quite the drought!

 

[Miranda Fox]

If anyone bought the whole "the script isn't finished yet" story, well... they just weren't thinking. I suspect there has been a late stage script in existence for quite some time, and that if you got your hands on it that you'd have fairly complete rendering of the final product.

*shrug* some people did seem to think it was true at first. But as an interviewer pointed out to Nolan himself - he doesn't do casting without a script so therefore, Heath being cast negated the 'it's not finished' story.

I'm insanely jealous Heath has seen it...

 

[rickhunter]

This helps wakes us up from our long slumber.

 

[Van Petrol]

I'm insanely jealous Heath has seen it...

The Nolan's have seen it too...

 

[Rizor]

Is it possible that they have a completed draft of the script, just that it hasn't been fine tuned yet?

 

[Miranda Fox]

The Nolan's have seen it too...

Huh? I thought they typed with their eyes closed so they couldn't tell anyone anything when asked.

 

[Two-Face]

Great interview, Ledger said he read "TKJ" but I hope he reads "TMWL" as well get into the character.

 

[Seen]

The Nolan's have seen it too...

Damn them. They shouldn't get to see it.

 

[Boom]

He's obviously read a draft. That much is certain.

My guess is it's not "finished" in the sense that Nolan is still making tweaks. But I'm guessing the bulk of the script is done.

 

[Keyser Sushi]

Every time Ledger talks about how "sinister" he wants to play it, I think back to his "A Clockwork Orange" remark, and... well... good vibrations.

 

[Black Mamba]

Never seen Clock Work Orange... I can't wait to see what he does with the character. A different version of he Joker is welcomed.

 

[LadyVader]

Sinister is all well and dandy, but let's not forget the funny.

 

[Boom]

For the record, Ledger's performance in Candy was fantastic.

 

[Miranda Fox]

For the record, Ledger's performance in Candy was fantastic.

I've heard nothing but good things about it.

 

[The Kid]

I like when he discusses how he's making his own joker and not immitating past ones. Good. Do that.

 

[explode7]

The script is finished??? Then where's the leak already???

 

[ang_hulk]

he better smile more then he frowns in this movie,i dont want some low tone joker who only smiles a few times during the movie.

 

[Ronny Shade]

nothing new

 

[Invisiboy]

Originally Posted by Miranda Fox

*shrug* some people did seem to think it was true at first. But as an interviewer pointed out to Nolan himself - he doesn't do casting without a script so therefore, Heath being cast negated the 'it's not finished' story.

He also said in that interview that the only reason he cast Heath before the script was finished is because he just saw The Joker in Heath and went for it. Not saying this means the script isn't finished, just that that's insufficient proof that it is.

 

[Miranda Fox]

He also said in that interview that the only reason he cast Heath before the script was finished is because he just saw The Joker in Heath and went for it. Not saying this means the script isn't finished, just that that's insufficient proof that it is.

Fair point - the only people who really know for sure are the Nolans.