The Dark Knight Jett finally gives us something to talk about! (ie Harvey Dent)

[mad-sci]

Hmm, looking at the casting done so far by Nolan, I think I see just how he chooses actors for their roles.


Tim Burton focused on the world of the strange, macabre and different, and cast accordingly for B89 and BR (Keaton as the main hero, DeVito as a mutant penguin-human, Michelle Pfeiffer as the ambiguous Catwoman, Walken as the vampire-like businessman) Only Nicholson seems like a studio demand rather than Burton's firm no.1 choice, probably due to needing a big name. He wasn't as interested in the big names as he was in the unusual casting for the strange worlds.


Joel Schumacher was more interested in the casting of villains, and seemed only interested in having a good-looking face for Batman. He was focussed on casting either big names or future big stars for the villain roles (Kidman, Carrey, Jones, Schwarzeneggar, Thurman, McPherson), with no thematic connection to the story.



Nolan has cast according to his own interpretation of Batman, and can now be seen far more clearly after BB and initial casting for TDK. Nolan likes looking at the grey area between good and evil, ambiguity of the characters and defining them as reflections of others (Bale and Jackman in The Prestige, Pacino and Williams in Insomnia, Guy Pearce and Sammy Jenkins in Memento). He's less interested in how big the actor is, and more interested in their capabilities of performance.


Basically, Nolan only casts actors who are a potential Bruce Wayne / Batman as the villain.

It may sound a bit obvious, but it does make sense. In BB, the 3 main villains were Scarecrow, Ra's and Earle (Falcone doesn't count, because he's not an enemy of Bruce / Batman, but for the world in general). Each role was played by a potential Batman actor (Murphy was a candidate for the role in BB, Neeson auditioned for Bond over 12 years ago (so it's not that hard to see him for this role), and look at Hauer in Blade Runner - a physically perfect person acting renegade, avoiding capture from the authorities to save a life, albeit his own? Sounds a bit like Batman to me.)

Now look at TDK and the casting of Ledger as the Joker. You could argue that he would NEVER be able to play Batman, but he was rumoured to up for 3 superhero roles, 2 of which were confirmed - Spider-man and Superman (3rd was Batman).

As for the casting of Harvey Dent, I could definitely see Bailey for the role far more than Norton or Foxx (Norton doesn't have that sensitivity to make you care for the character - you'd rather hate him than feel sorry for him.
Foxx is wrong not because of his skin colour, but compare him to Denzel - who would be more real as Batman?)

 

[Crooklyn]

Lol, you're reaching with that theory. I think it's much more of Nolan channeling each actor's strengths, and using that as a springboard for the character. Bale had the inner demon/duality, Neeson notorious for his mentor-like presence, Caine had the fatherly charm, Murphy for his creepy eyes, etc. etc.

Dent is gonna be a two-part process here. You'll have to think long-term, seeing as how we will see a dramatic turn for the third film. In this case, it does benefit in looking at previous auditions for Batman. The duality theme is there, and both character are very similar. I've always thought the best Dent would also make a damn good Batman.

 

[mad-sci]

Lol, you're reaching with that theory. I think it's much more of Nolan channeling each actor's strengths, and using that as a springboard for the character. Bale had the inner demon/duality, Neeson notorious for his mentor-like presence, Caine had the fatherly charm, Murphy for his creepy eyes, etc. etc.

True, but unlike Spider-man or Superman's enemies, Batman's rogue gallery have been viewed as dark reflections of him. Ra's Al Ghul is Batman without the same moral code (same goal, different methods), Two-Face is Batman and Bruce Wayne at the same time (split literally down his body, with no restraints), Riddler is Batman's mental equivalent, without morals, etc...

What I'm saying is that Nolan seems to prefer casting people who could be a potential Bruce Wayne / Batman, but having them play a twisted version of it (Whereas Burton cast different actors to play the different aspects of the character in BR).

 

[kytrigger]

I've always thought the best Dent would also make a damn good Batman.

Very true, and that's why in the comics, when Batman left Gotham for a year, he left a cured Harvey in his place.

 

[Crooklyn]

True, but unlike Spider-man or Superman's enemies, Batman's rogue gallery have been viewed as dark reflections of him. Ra's Al Ghul is Batman without the same moral code (same goal, different methods), Two-Face is Batman and Bruce Wayne at the same time (split literally down his body, with no restraints), Riddler is Batman's mental equivalent, without morals, etc...

What I'm saying is that Nolan seems to prefer casting people who could be a potential Bruce Wayne / Batman, but having them play a twisted version of it (Whereas Burton cast different actors to play the different aspects of the character in BR).

You said it yourself, the comics have established some of his villains as extensions of Bruce's character. So wouldn't it make more sense to say that Nolan is simply following the comics by casting the actors accordingly?

 

[mad-sci]

You said it yourself, the comics have established some of his villains as extensions of Bruce's character. So wouldn't it make more sense to say that Nolan is simply following the comics by casting the actors accordingly?

It's possible, but looking at Nolan's CV before doing Batman, I would say that this is how he personally interprets the character, whilst Burton viewed the character more externally by the 'world of Gotham City', and Schumacher saw 'Batman' as being about the larger-than life villains only. Dini and co. seemed to focus on the character and world of Batman and the villains altogether, but they had the luxury of an animated TV series. Nolan's interpretation is just another way of seeing Batman, that's all.

 

[raybia]

Hmm, looking at the casting done so far by Nolan, I think I see just how he chooses actors for their roles.


Tim Burton focused on the world of the strange, macabre and different, and cast accordingly for B89 and BR (Keaton as the main hero, DeVito as a mutant penguin-human, Michelle Pfeiffer as the ambiguous Catwoman, Walken as the vampire-like businessman) Only Nicholson seems like a studio demand rather than Burton's firm no.1 choice, probably due to needing a big name. He wasn't as interested in the big names as he was in the unusual casting for the strange worlds.


Joel Schumacher was more interested in the casting of villains, and seemed only interested in having a good-looking face for Batman. He was focussed on casting either big names or future big stars for the villain roles (Kidman, Carrey, Jones, Schwarzeneggar, Thurman, McPherson), with no thematic connection to the story.



Nolan has cast according to his own interpretation of Batman, and can now be seen far more clearly after BB and initial casting for TDK. Nolan likes looking at the grey area between good and evil, ambiguity of the characters and defining them as reflections of others (Bale and Jackman in The Prestige, Pacino and Williams in Insomnia, Guy Pearce and Sammy Jenkins in Memento). He's less interested in how big the actor is, and more interested in their capabilities of performance.


Basically, Nolan only casts actors who are a potential Bruce Wayne / Batman as the villain.

It may sound a bit obvious, but it does make sense. In BB, the 3 main villains were Scarecrow, Ra's and Earle (Falcone doesn't count, because he's not an enemy of Bruce / Batman, but for the world in general). Each role was played by a potential Batman actor (Murphy was a candidate for the role in BB, Neeson auditioned for Bond over 12 years ago (so it's not that hard to see him for this role), and look at Hauer in Blade Runner - a physically perfect person acting renegade, avoiding capture from the authorities to save a life, albeit his own? Sounds a bit like Batman to me.)

Now look at TDK and the casting of Ledger as the Joker. You could argue that he would NEVER be able to play Batman, but he was rumoured to up for 3 superhero roles, 2 of which were confirmed - Spider-man and Superman (3rd was Batman).

As for the casting of Harvey Dent, I could definitely see Bailey for the role far more than Norton or Foxx (Norton doesn't have that sensitivity to make you care for the character - you'd rather hate him than feel sorry for him.
Foxx is wrong not because of his skin colour, but compare him to Denzel - who would be more real as Batman?)

I think that if I tried I could knock some holes in this, but I give you kudos for this damn fine analysis! You certainly gave it some serious thought.

 

[raybia]

What about Daniel Craig as Two Face? That could be interesting.

 

[Eros]

What about Daniel Craig as Two Face? That could be interesting.

No it wouldn't, and im pretty sure hes busy.

 

[FCEEVIPER]

I don't hate Foxx I actually like him as an actor, but I would really hate him as Dent. Really hate it.


I'll go with Bailey.

 

[Eros]

I don't hate Foxx I actually like him as an actor, but I would really hate him as Dent. Really hate it.


I'll go with Bailey.

who?

 

[Darknightnomis]

I just can't picture him as playing a lawyer. I'm sure he could pull it off but I just don't see it.

Maybe this is a better comparison...

 

[outsider101487]

Not a fan of any of the choices.

Has anyone here actually seen Bailey act? I saw a couple have, but I would hesitate to say you want him based just on his looks. Yeah, he looks like Dent, he's young, and is a good-looking cat. As far as acting goes, I doubt his ability to play a role of this caliber. Granted, I have only seen him in Band of Brothers and Fight Club, both minor roles, I just haven't been wowed into thinking he's right for the job. In BOB, he was extremely weak, but I guess that was his character, so I guess he did the job right.. hmm.. have to rethink that one then haha.. But anyways, from those roles I don't think he's got the presence of Dent/Face.

For Foxx, no. Please, no. I'm all for going "unconventional" with the most talented actor that fits the role. While he is an exceptionally talented individual, he does not fit the part, IMO. His out-of-character lifestyle leads me to believe he will not give the respect that this character and the comics deserve, even if it's his job to act and interpret the role in his own way. I am anxious to see how he would go about interpreting this part, but worry he'll go out of his way to invent a new personality for it, leaving us with a guy with no shade of comic resemblence..

As for Norton, yeah the guy's a fine actor, but he's no Dent for me. He's just... I mean... damn. No real reason for that one. I guess he would make a better Riddler than Face as many of stated..

In conclusion, haha, I hold strong in my stance that the role of Dent lies solely on the presence and strength one will bring to the role. I believe he's got to be physically imposing and mentally confident, for Dent that is. Up to his grotesque transformation, he's got to leave us thinking "he's the man," haha, but still a good guy, just don't mess with him. That way, Two-Face will be all the more 3-dimensional.

That said, Clive Owen is still my top choice. He was brilliant in Children of Men, but for the "presence" of which I have been speaking, watch Inside Man. From the start, his cold stare while narrating the beginning is pretty intimidating.. perfect IMO..

 

[DA Harvey Dent]

I'm telling you guys, all this info is BS.

We heard Lachy Hulme and Bettany as rumors for the Joker for a year, and then out of nowhere Ledger is cast.

Same thing is happening now.

 

[Dark Knight]

I hope two out of three mentioned do NOT get the part! Norton is the only one I would be excited about.....the rest if chosen would be a let down...especially after all the waiting ridiculousness. Bailey would be a very ho hum bland choice. I don't even want to start with Foxx being Dent?? Oh god no! Foxx would bring his annoying arrogance to Dent and then he would be waaaayyyy over the top as Two Face...he would be a bad choice! Chances are though....knowing Jetts track record with casting news recently and with the Joker news.....none of these three will be Dent. LOL

 

[Dark Knight]

I'm telling you guys, all this info is BS.

We heard Lachy Hulme and Bettany as rumors for the Joker for a year, and then out of nowhere Ledger is cast.

Same thing is happening now.

Yep....i agree!

 

[Agentsands77]

That said, Clive Owen is still my top choice. He was brilliant in Children of Men, but for the "presence" of which I have been speaking, watch Inside Man. From the start, his cold stare while narrating the beginning is pretty intimidating.. perfect IMO..

I don't think Clive Owen is anywhere near the right choice. I just don't think the guy is really likeable enough. He can be intense, sure, and would probably do a mean Two-Face, but can Owen be everbody's favorite DA, who's funny and likeable and charming?

 

[Dark Knight]

Mmm, isn't Foxx supposed to be on tour this year?

Out of these three - I'm gonna pick Bailey as a final answer.

if it's going to be any of the three....then it will most likely be the blander and more ho hum choice of the three, which is Bailey. That wouldn't surprise me at all....especially after all the BS of waiting to announce who is Dent. I wouldn't be surprised if it was an underwhelming choice like Bailey.

 

[Silver Souper]

those of you who are cool with jamie foxx in the role- are YOU CRAZY!?! being a good actor does not mean you're a good fit for the role. Foxx is a pro at playing characters and "too cool" parts like in miami vice and sleuth. that has NOTHING to do with DENT. his looks AND skin color are not Dent's! i'm so tired of everyone saying every possible option would "be cool." Okay- why don't we recast the joker as robert redford and make celina kyle venessa redgrave!?!

and please don't try the racist label- in the same way that lucius fox was black because his comic book self was black, dent should be white. it would've been equally odd having a white lucius fox.

 

[raybia]

I don't think Clive Owen is anywhere near the right choice. I just don't think the guy is really likeable enough. He can be intense, sure, and would probably do a mean Two-Face, but can Owen be everbody's favorite DA, who's funny and likeable and charming?

I thought he was really likeable in Children of Men.

 

[Miranda Fox]

if it's going to be any of the three....then it will most likely be the blander and more ho hum choice of the three, which is Bailey. That wouldn't surprise me at all....especially after all the BS of waiting to announce who is Dent. I wouldn't be surprised if it was an underwhelming choice like Bailey.

Or none of them.

 

[StorminNorman]

I look at Norton, I dont see a "Golden Boy" type aura to him. I see that in Foxx and from the pics I have seen, I think Bailey could too.

I think Foxx is a good actor, I think he could nail the role and I think most people here object to him because of his race, not his ability. I don't think Harvey is a character were race matters.

 

[ToddIsDead]

I hate Foxx. I hope he never comes within 100 feet of the production of TDK.

 

[raybia]

I hate Foxx. I hope he never comes within 100 feet of the production of TDK.

Wow!


Hey, what is your avay?

 

[Shoemeister]

-R

I still have to agree with this most of all.

And don't forget, he's guest starring on CSI for a few episodes (beginning January 18th) as a Baltimore CSI named Mike Keppler, who gets called to Vegas to help out during Grissom's sabbatical. I suggest all of you non-belivers or never-seen-em-er's (which I'm sure constitutes the vast majority of the idiots that trash talk him) check those episodes out. He's getting a lot of buzz in TV Guide and such for it and people have had nothing but good things to say about the man.