The Dark Knight Joker Wears a Mask

[neobido9999]

Ok, I don't like it either, but let's just agree now that the Joker clearly wears a mask

"[He's a] pure anarchist....I still feel like it's a character I've never done before,and I'm going to be donning a mask. I'm not really thinking about the commercial consequences. Maybe I should be. But at this point, it's just an exciting next step."

"I think [getting the role] was tougher for other people to comprehend than it was for me. I'm looking forward to it. A part of me feels like I've been warming up to [playing the Joker] for years. In THE BROTHERS GRIMM, [director] Terry Gilliam helped me put on a sort of clown act and adjust to that sort of pace. And I feel it's something within me I know how to do. I like putting on a mask. It'll be dark and sinister and exciting."

I'd be very surprised if Mr Ledger is constantly speaking in metaphor

 

[TwilightPro101]

Makes me wonder if he's even truly read the books or just enjoys his metaphors way too much?

 

[neobido9999]

Nay, keep open!

 

[neobido9999]

Isn't all acting donning a mask? Isn't it like a builder saying "I'm taking this new job and, dude, im going to lay some brick!"

If he's speaking metaphorically, isn't he repeating himself? It's a character he's never done before and he's donning a mask. A bit like saying football's two equal length portions both consisting of 45 minues, and, whatsmore, it's a game of two halfs

That and he gave an interview whereby he said he hasn't been tested for the makeup, but has had a 3d headscan.

He. Wears. A Mask.

 

[Katsuro]

You just proved yourself wrong with the second quote. He likes wearing a mask? Has he done any other movies where he wears a literal mask? Not that I know of. And even if he did, why would he say he likes it? What would be so special about putting something over your face.

He has, on the other hand, done characters that required him to act as a completely different person, a figurative mask. This is also something I can see him saying he enjoys. He does do it a lot afterall.

 

[TwilightPro101]

Okay, now, we're basically discussing Acting 101.

 

[kenellard]

I see it as either pretentious actor-speak (an oscar nomination can surely give actors delusions of grandure) or a serious problem. Neobido said it best:

"If he's speaking metaphorically, isn't he repeating himself? It's a character he's never done before and he's donning a mask. A bit like saying football's two equal length portions both consisting of 45 minues, and, whatsmore, it's a game of two halfs."

just think about that sentence; "it's a character I've never done before AND I'm going to be donning a mask" - scary innit?

 

[wikum]

can the d.a please put his stamp of disapproval on this ****ty thread.

 

[Katsuro]

Besides, next you'll be telling me Riddler is gonna be a robot or Two-Face wll have powers of flight. these things are so off-base and out of character there's no reason to believe they'd happen. Why the hell would Joker wear a mask? When has Joker ever worn a mask? What the hell kind of mask are we even talking about? A domino mask to hide his identity? a mask that just looks like a white face with green hair? Maybe a ski-mask? a gas mask? Either way, it just doesn't make sense and there is no way Nolan is stupid enough to do something like that.

 

[neobido9999]

I see it as either pretentious actor-speak (an oscar nomination can surely give actors delusions of grandure) or a serious problem. Neobido said it best:

"If he's speaking metaphorically, isn't he repeating himself? It's a character he's never done before and he's donning a mask. A bit like saying football's two equal length portions both consisting of 45 minues, and, whatsmore, it's a game of two halfs."

just think about that sentence; "it's a character I've never done before AND I'm going to be donning a mask" - scary innit?

That's how i see it (formerly "someone else with a brain" *edited by myself for hubris*)

 

[neobido9999]

That's the lamest reasoning I've heard for this arguement, and the headscan could be for prosthetics.(that is if he had one)

Look im not trying to upset anyone, and i dont approve of this if it is true. I'm just stating what's there in black and white

Aginst him wearing a mask i'd say this - if nolan is so secretive about the film how on earth could this get out? Maybe he only wears one for one scene. Maybe, a la Clockwork orange he wears it to undertake crime.



Oh, and you spelt argument wrong

 

[kenellard]

some sentences more open to interpretation as metaphor would've been; "it's a character I've never done before, giving me an oppertunity to don a mask" or even "it's a character I've never done before, I'll be donning a mask". This is just to provide some perspective on what he said, it sounds bad, but then he is australian, so perhaps his command of the queen's english is just not up to par?!

 

[Katsuro]

Wait a minute! I've got it! I know exactly what kind of mask Joker will be wearing!

dont you remember that interview where Ledger said that Joker was a shark? A fearless shark, he said. Since we're in the business of taking metaphors literally, i figured we must also assume that the Joker will actually be a shark. BRILLIANT!!

 

[neobido9999]

 

[Katsuro]

some sentences more open to interpretation as metaphor would've been; "it's a character I've never done before, giving me an oppertunity to don a mask" or even "it's a character I've never done before, I'll be donning a mask". This is just to provide some perspective on what he said, it sounds bad, but then he is australian, so perhaps his command of the queen's english is just not up to par?!

Or perhaps he just doens't plan out his sentences in advance. He's a human being, and sometimes human beings misspeak. And what about other quotes, as i've said, where he mentions being excited about donning a mask? What's so exciting about putting something over your face?

 

[kenellard]

Wait a minute! I've got it! I know exactly what kind of mask Joker will be wearing!

dont you remember that interview where Ledger said that Joker was a shark? A fearless shark, he said. Since we're in the business of taking metaphors literally, i figured we must also assume that the Joker will actually be a shark. BRILLIANT!!

I don't think anyone's saying he will or should wear a mask here, we're just wondering how metaphorical all his "mask" talk is, no big deal kiddo

 

[Miranda Fox]

Or perhaps he just doens't plan out his sentences in advance. He's a human being, and sometimes human beings misspeak. And what about other quotes, as i've said, where he mentions being excited about donning a mask? What's so exciting about putting something over your face?

Exactly. Seriously, there was a quote awhile back that made it completely clear what he meant - where he referred to the Joker, as in, the character, as being a beautiful mask to wear.

There. No 'real' masks.

On that note - it's nice you learned an awesome word Heath but...could you find a new one please? kthnx.

 

[kenellard]

LOL, yeah it does seem that way, if the mask talk is bull it just makes heath look a little ridiculous, "dude, what a sweet word, I'll just repeat it in every interview from now on, then people will think I'm a real actor!"

 

[Silver Souper]

Ok, I don't like it either, but let's just agree now that the Joker clearly wears a mask






I'd be very surprised if Mr Ledger is constantly speaking in metaphor

constantly speaking in metaphor, or on two occasions?

 

[batmaluco]

"Joker doesn't wear a mask. But he needs a moustache, indeed. hahahah!!!''

 

[Skywalker]

For a moment I thought I'd hit paydirt with this link:

http://www.emanuellevy.com/article.php?articleID=393

... which is an interview with Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger about Brokeback Mountain. Even though it's Gyllenhaal, not Ledger, who says:

The question of identity, whether it's sexual or whatever, is what makes this movie so powerful. My own struggle with who I am, and who I am to other people, and what masks I put on, is hopefully interlaced with this character.

... it's a good quote that's exactly what Ledger is talking about.

Like most of you, I am quite confident it's just a figure of acting speech.

 

[Saint]

This is probably the worst thread in the history of the internet.

 

[Anguissette1979]

This is soooooo gonna rage in one thread or another now until we get a pic... in like a year...

 

[Punch]

Yes it was metaphor, and yes he was repeating himself, which alot of actors do when they are asked the same question 9 billion times.

 

[DA Harvey Dent]

Given these quotes of wearing a mask by Ledger and the fact that I read something where he said he got a complete facial scan for TDK, the possibility is there that he will in fact be wearing some kind of mask for the Joker.

However, its also likely that the facial scan could mean simply that prosthetic pieces will be used for the look and his quotes can be taken to mean he is speaking metaphorically.

Ultimately, its too early to conclusively say anything.

But you gotta remember, the guy who brought us BB is behind TDK so you have to have the faith that he knows what he is doing.