The Dark Knight So what did Mr. Nicholson think of Ledger's Mr. J?

[SuperZer0]

To answer the thread's question, who knows, maybe he didn't even see the movie, LOL.

 

[CaptainClown]

he did see it there is a quote from him just we haven't posted the link

 

[p4poetic]

Do/can we really still call Joker "Mr. J"? For some reason, that nickname sounds outdated now.

I'll never understand that. To this day I can't say for sure which Joker version I prefer (not to mention film). Ledger was fresh and entertaining, but Nicholson was delightful, too, not to mention more faithful to the source. And I'm in absolutely no hurry to label one as better, I'm just satisfied I can enjoy both of their performances.

It's all bandwagon mentality fluff if you ask me...

 

[Crook]

I think Jack wasn't similar to the joker until artist began drawing Joker like Jack.

You'd be wrong. Jack was the top fave in the role for years. From studio execs to Hollywood peers, they thought it was the role born for him. I believe his nickname was also "Jack the Joker" because of how similar his persona and look was to the comic book character. Hell, even Bob Kane personally recommended Jack for the role.

I'd like to add that Mr Ledger also benefitted from a fantastic screenplay which was not really the case for B89. As a batfan I always dreamt of seeing a scene with The Joker and Batman just sitting in front of each other talking philosophical and thanks to the Nolans my wish was granted.

It was more of Joker doing the philosophical talking. Bats was more or less the grunt, ironically.

Do/can we really still call Joker "Mr. J"? For some reason, that nickname sounds outdated now.

What's so outdated about it? It's simple and can hardly be relegated to a particular "era".

 

[OctaviusINC]

Both Joker's were awesome in their own way. Both of them looked awesome, acted great, and had some badass one liners. Wouldn't it be trippy if 20 years from now Heath's daughter Matilda played Harley Quinn in a new Batman movie?

 

[Zmoker]

I recommend "the last detail" and " The passenger" and many others (usually before 1980) for some of Nicholson more subtle work.

About Schmidt, I find to be his best recent work. I just didn't see Jack, less so the world-weary character of Warren, and there wasn't any moment of him tearing up the scenery

Back on topic, damn, where is that interview??

 

[LostSon88]

See my sig.

Its from an Australian article that you can find in the "Val Kilmer approves of TDK" thread.

 

[Zmoker]

That all he said?

Ah well.

I was hoping for "he was a thief, and a terrorist, on the other hand he had a tremendous singing voice."

 

[Dr Strange]

I respect both Jacks and Heaths Joker, overall i would have to say Ledgers is better but i still adore Nicholsons performance and i agree with what gwynplaine said about if there was no B89 there would be no TDK, so respect to both

 

[El Payaso]

I think Jack wasn't similar to the joker until artist began drawing Joker like Jack.

^ IT started in Batman #1

Yeah, as a great actor Nicholson couldn't avoid to recognize another magnificent piece of acting work as Ledger's.

 

[gwynplaine]

About Schmidt, I find to be his best recent work. I just didn't see Jack, less so the world-weary character of Warren, and there wasn't any moment of him tearing up the scenery

Back on topic, damn, where is that interview??

I agree, he was fantastic in Schmidt. He was also more subtle in the movies he did with Sean Penn "The crossing guard" and "the pledge".

 

[namtaB]

edited.

 

[speedracer216]

Do/can we really still call Joker "Mr. J"? For some reason, that nickname sounds outdated now.

always makes me think of this comcast commercial now...
[YT]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1S-xMTTwgrA&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1S-xMTTwgrA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/YT]
edit: never mind. i got it working.

 

[Bat-Mite]

You're only supposed to post the numbers and letters that come after the "v=", not the entire link.

 

[Fanticon]

despite that little quote...quite possibly taken out of context...i don't think jack is insensitive, but he is also "old hollywood" so he thinks his joker, is the one people remember, and have for years and years after it came out. Thats true...but his comments either way about how Heath did won't affect what he really thinks of his own performance.

 

[DaRkVeNgeanCe]

I still love Jack and Heath's portrayals of The Joker equally!

 

[Fanticon]

me too.

 

[DaRkVeNgeanCe]

Im glad to see some people can still appreciate other interpretations no matter how good the new fresh ones are!

 

[speedracer216]

Im glad to see some people can still appreciate other interpretations no matter how good the new fresh ones are!

i think it actually speaks to what an amazing character kane and finger came up with. (and robinson depending who you listen to )

 

[p4poetic]

What's so outdated about it? It's simple and can hardly be relegated to a particular "era".

Because it's something only Harley Quinn said, it doesn't strike me as relevant anymore.

Both Joker's were awesome in their own way. Both of them looked awesome, acted great, and had some badass one liners. Wouldn't it be trippy if 20 years from now Heath's daughter Matilda played Harley Quinn in a new Batman movie?

No, that would be disturbing.

Im glad to see some people can still appreciate other interpretations no matter how good the new fresh ones are!

Same here, it's refreshing compared to the usual '___ owned ___'!!!

 

[Cain]

Im glad to see some people can still appreciate other interpretations no matter how good the new fresh ones are!

Same here though it's always a minority opinion on sites like these it's always welcome to know there are still sensible posters on this board.

 

[Pfeiffer-Pfan]

Maybe it's just me... but I can see a little Nicholson influence in Ledger's portrayal.

It's subtle but it's there... and Jack's right... Heath just kind of naturally took it to 'the next level'.

 

[Cain]

Maybe it's just me... but I can see a little Nicholson influence in Ledger's portrayal.

It's subtle but it's there... and Jack's right... Heath just kind of naturally took it to 'the next level'.

Had Ledger not upped the ante he would've failed he definitely had to and he succeeded. I know Ledger digged Nicholson's performance but the only real constant similarities I see is in terms of the energy and theatricality which is is natural given the character they're portraying I mean Romero also had that. But I see more than just the comic book Joker in Ledger's performance I see a lot of the conventional traits of cinematic sociopaths (Ie: Alex De Large, Travis Bickle) mixed with modern age Joker. Where as with Nicholson I just really see golden through bronze age comic book Joker more than anything else.

Heath Ledger on Jack Nicholson

"I&#8217;m not going for the same thing he went for. That would be stupid. It is also two very different directors with different styles. Tim Burton did a more fantastical kind of thing and Chris Nolan is doing nitty gritty handheld realism. I love what [Jack] did and that is part of why I want to do that role. I remember seeing it and thinking how much fun it would be to put on that mask and attempt to do something along those lines. But it would obviously be murder if I tried to imitate what he did."

 

[gwynplaine]

Had Ledger not upped the ante he would've failed he definitely had to and he succeeded. I know Ledger digged Nicholson's performance but the only real constant similarities I see is in terms of the energy and theatricality which is is natural given the character they're portraying I mean Romero also had that. But I see more than just the comic book Joker in Ledger's performance I see a lot of the conventional traits of cinematic sociopaths (Ie: Alex De Large, Travis Bickle) mixed with modern age Joker. Where as with Nicholson I just really see golden through bronze age comic book Joker more than anything else.

Heath Ledger on Jack Nicholson

"I’m not going for the same thing he went for. That would be stupid. It is also two very different directors with different styles. Tim Burton did a more fantastical kind of thing and Chris Nolan is doing nitty gritty handheld realism. I love what [Jack] did and that is part of why I want to do that role. I remember seeing it and thinking how much fun it would be to put on that mask and attempt to do something along those lines. But it would obviously be murder if I tried to imitate what he did."

Cool, I remember reading this great quote, thanks for reposting it.

 

[Ace of Knaves]

i don't think jack will be that bothered by it, he obviously thought it was a great performance judging by quotes hes made.
i loved both portrayals of the joker, but to be honest jack was just playing a version of himself on coke or speed with a purple suit and make-up. Whereas Heath completely vanished and all that was left was the joker. IMO Heaths portrayal seemed more honest and real, you could tell he actually through himself into the role and pulled it off brilliantly. The only thing i think was missing from his Joker was just a little bit more theatricality, i understand this Joker was written to be more morbid and gritty but i still think there is a little twinkle in his eye thats missing. Dont get me wrong i loved this Joker, its my favourite on film but the thing i loved about Jacks joker was his sense of fun about everything, he deffinatly had a twinkle in his eye and although the 89 screenplay isn't highly regarded there was some stand out lines and moments from the joker. "this town needs a enima!!" who can forget that!!!