The Dark Knight Rises The Joker's Role in the Third Film

[Dark Donnie]

The article is old, in

Spoiler

the sense that Harvey Dent becomes Two Face in thsi film so...

 

[Noir]

if they recast use Joseph Leonard Gordon-Levitt.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0330687/

 

[FlawlessVictory]

From an article dated 1/25/08


Ledger's death also calls into question the continuation of this Batman series. "The Ace of Knaves" was slated to be the franchise's third installment. In June 2005 writer David S. Goyer spoke to Premiere Magazine and said, "['The Dark Knight'] would have Batman enlisting the aid of Gordon and Harvey Dent in bringing down the Joker … but not killing him." He commented further saying, "In the third film, the Joker would go on trial, scarring Dent in the process."

Will the part then be recast, or will Goyer send the Joker away to Arkham Asylum for the Criminally Insane, never to be heard from again?

Wherever the Joker's future lies, the fact remains we have lost one of the great untapped actors of this generation. The news of his death is everywhere, covered ad nauseam. But his films will outlive this media frenzy, and by the looks of his work on "The Dark Knight," perhaps his greatest performance is yet to come. •

And there have major alterations to that treatment as we are getting Two-Face in this film and not in the third film. So who knows if Joker was still planned to even show up in part 3 anymore.

 

[Boom]

For a character as major and prominent as The Joker, I wouldn't want a recast. Unfortunately, I haven't seen The Dark Knight, so I don't know what happens to The Joker at the end of that film. I'll come back to this thread once July 18th rolls around.

I will say this, though. Realistically (and I hate to say that word for a Batman movie), it would be extremely difficult to escape from an insane asylum. Especially for somebody who would undoubtedly be put under intense security (which The Joker surely would). If The Joker is apprehended at the end of TDK, then lock him away at Arkham and just don't have him play a role in the third movie.

Upsetting? Yes. But I wouldn't want anybody stepping in Ledger's shoes, especially if this is as great of a performance as people have been saying.

 

[The Joker]

Not to sound insensitive, but is a recast for the third movie really that big of a deal? Nobody is going to deny Ledger's contribution to The Dark Knight. I'm sure he's going to be fantastic as Joker. And, I hope TDK is dedicated to his memory.

Recasting the role for the third movie or whatever is not disrespecting Heath. The Joker is an iconic character who is loved by the fans. If there's a part for him in the third Batman movie, then recast.

 

[sdc10]

i think people are making too much of a big deal for the jokers part in the third film, the third film is about TWO-FACE. Joker, if he was even in the movie, would prob only have a cameo role. So they could either a) recast, b)recast and keep actor in the shadows or b) just keep him out of the movie

 

[graveyardtramp]

I personally don't think the idea of Nolan stepping down from the third film if it goes ahead....Nolan is not exactly a director for hire, meaning he doesn't do films just for the money or prestige, he only seems to do films that he has an emotional attachment to and that he feels are important to him.

We haven't heard directly from Nolan as yet so we really don't know how this will effect him, he still has months work of post-production work where he is going to looking at images and sounds of Heath day in day out, for a sensitive filmmaker that could be a pretty tough and emotionaly draining thing to cope with, if it gets to him he may not want to be reminded of a dark time by revisiting these characters.

I think a lot of it will depend on how The Dark Knight - and Heath's last complete performance - will be accepted once the film is released.

 

[DeathRaven]

Im kind of torn on the whole recast idea, Ledger is undoubtly going to do a spectacular perforemce with the role. But this begs the question should the suffer be altered in the third if it called for the joker to be used?

Now if he's playing a huge part in the next I could see where this might be a problem and cause for concern, but if he was to just be seen a few times then they might be able to cook up something. I dont know.

It really is way to early to tell where they need to go, and I dont think they want to think that far ahead right now. Lets worry about it when the time comes.

 

[souvlaki]

I still have not heard one decent reason for why it is necessary to even have the Joker in the third film. Now lets assume Nolan and Goyer have already finished an outline for the third film, and that outline includes the Joker. The third film will probably not come out until 2011, and will probably not even officially start pre-production/casting until at the soonest the end of next year. That means the actual script probably wont even be finished for at least another year and a half. Supposedly the Joker's part in the third film (assuming these rumors are even true) is a small cameo, probably similar to Scarecrow's cameo in this film. From Nolan's point of view wouldn't the easiest, and least controversial thing to do be to just not include the Joker?

I love the Joker. He is easily one of the best comic book villains ever created. No, he will not die with Heath Ledger, but for God's sake, we are talking about a series based off a character with arguably the best rogue gallery in comics. Unless there is a major unresolved plotline involving the Joker at the end of Dark Knight, the respectful thing to do is just leave the Joker out of the next film and give Nolan a chance to explore other characters.

 

[MaJiN]

Would Franco work as the Joker in the 3rd film?

Even though he'd probably turn down the role, what are your thoughts?

 

[Noir]

Joseph Gordon-Levitt Damnit.

 

[Dark Donnie]

Joseph Gordon-Levitt Damnit.

 

[MaJiN]

Joseph Gordon-Levitt Damnit.

Very well!

 

[FlawlessVictory]

I still have not heard one decent reason for why it is necessary to even have the Joker in the third film. Now lets assume Nolan and Goyer have already finished an outline for the third film, and that outline includes the Joker. The third film will probably not come out until 2011, and will probably not even officially start pre-production/casting until at the soonest the end of next year. That means the actual script probably wont even be finished for at least another year and a half. Supposedly the Joker's part in the third film (assuming these rumors are even true) is a small cameo, probably similar to Scarecrow's cameo in this film. From Nolan's point of view wouldn't the easiest, and least controversial thing to do be to just not include the Joker?

I love the Joker. He is easily one of the best comic book villains ever created. No, he will not die with Heath Ledger, but for God's sake, we are talking about a series based off a character with arguably the best rogue gallery in comics. Unless there is a major unresolved plotline involving the Joker at the end of Dark Knight, the respectful thing to do is just leave the Joker out of the next film and give Nolan a chance to explore other characters.

QFT

 

[FlawlessVictory]

Joseph Gordon-Levitt Damnit.

No thanks. Just because he may resemble Ledger doesn't mean he would do just as good a job.

No recast, time to move on folks. Joker is not absolutely necessary to have in the 3rd film.

 

[Cadetak]

They replaced Holmes without a huge fuss. You could throw the makeup and costume on anybody and people will know who it is...where most people(general audience) think Gyllenhall is a new character(which will confuse them at first).

The trick will be finding somebody who be able to play Ledger's Joker and pull off
a close enough voice.

 

[Noir]

Ledger's voice sounded like Mark Hamill, lets get him

 

[8Diagrams(WU)]

There is no reason to make a joker identical to ledgers. Let somebody else step up and do his thing. Like people have said, the joker doesnt die with Heath. We will always remember his performance, but the story needs to continue and if the joker is part of the third film then a recast will have to happen. I really dont see how a re-cast in 3-4 years is disrespectful.

Nolan doesnt like to make the same movie twice and you will see a lot of changes in TDK from Begns. Expect the same going into the third movie so a different actor playing the Joker is more than likely the way to go if you ever want to see the Joker on screen again. Otherwise you are looking at many many many years (maybe even decades?) before you see the joker on screen again. Trust Nolan the guy knows what he is doing and he should be fully capable of delivering another joker.

Now as far as the actors go, JGL is a pretty good choice. The guy is a good actor.

 

[Dark Donnie]

No thanks. Just because he may resemble Ledger doesn't mean he would do just as good a job.

No recast, time to move on folks. Joker is not absolutely necessary to have in the 3rd film.

He's also a really good actor besides slightly resembling Ledger

 

[Mr. Socko]

Goyer wrote a rough outline for parts II and III back in 2005. Most of what he mentioned it is not even happening. On the other hand Christopher Nolan himself has said that he is not currently thinking about a sequel, he's just making The Dark Knight right now and he has said he wants it to stand alone.

He probably just has a thought or two planned for a third film, he's said he does not focus on other films and sequels while he's in the middle of making one. The Dark Knight will stand alone as it's own film so I doubt Joker would be completely necessary for part 3. If Joker were to return, it would more than likely just be an unneeded luxury for the fans, such as Scarecrow returning in TDK. And since Heath is gone, I'm willing to sacrifice his role in the third movie.

 

[chamber-music]

No thanks. Just because he may resemble Ledger doesn't mean he would do just as good a job.

No recast, time to move on folks. Joker is not absolutely necessary to have in the 3rd film.

I personally don't want the Joker back in the 3rd unless he is integral to the story but if they had to recast him then Joseph Gordon-Levitt is the person to do it.

 

[FlawlessVictory]

Goyer wrote a rough outline for parts II and III back in 2005. Most of what he mentioned it is not even happening. On the other hand Christopher Nolan himself has said that he is not currently thinking about a sequel, he's just making The Dark Knight right now and he has said he wants it to stand alone.

He probably just has a thought or two planned for a third film, he's said he does not focus on other films and sequels while he's in the middle of making one. The Dark Knight will stand alone as it's own film so I doubt Joker would be completely necessary for part 3. If Joker were to return, it would more than likely just be an unneeded luxury for the fans, such as Scarecrow returning in TDK. And since Heath is gone, I'm willing to sacrifice his role in the third movie.

You and I are thinking exactly the same on this.

He's also a really good actor besides slightly resembling Ledger

He may be a good actor but I still see it as a downgrade in talent from Ledger which I wouldn't want. At least when Holmes was replaced the talent was upgraded. Plus, in reading the interviews where Nolan speaks of Ledger taking on the role of the Joker, he cites specific traits Ledger had that helped him take on the role. I would bet the ranch that with the fondness and appreciation Nolan had of Ledger (indicated in these interviews) he will not recast Joker in the third film and just leave the character out entirely.

 

[FlawlessVictory]

I personally don't want the Joker back in the 3rd unless he is integral to the story but if they had to recast him then Joseph Gordon-Levitt is the person to do it.

That's the thing though, I don't believe he is. Of course I have no hard evidence but the only Joker reference for part 3 we have is Goyer's statement about the Joker scarring Dent in part 3. Obviously, those plans changed significantly since we are getting Two-Face in TDK. Plus, Nolan has gone on record saying how he is making this the most complete film it can be. So its not like we are gonna get the Joker at the end kidnapping Alfred and have the film end right there. Only with something like that would I feel he would be absolutely necessary for the next film. And Nolan wouldn't do that since he has said he isn't really thinking about a third film only that he is focused on this one.

 

[FaT_tONle]

Just b/c Dent may already be scarred doesn't mean Joker won't have a place in BB3... I mean if there is any cliffhanger at all... you'll have to explain that... personally I think Joker will be arrested... so it shouldn't be a problem... but if he is still at large you at least need to reference him at the very least in a potential sequel. Who knows... maybe TDK virtually sets up a role for the Joker in part three to an extent where it will be impossible to write him out... we just don't know yet.

 

[elgato]

If I was Nolan I wouldn't recast Mr.J. it would be really sad and the poor actor that replaces him would be intensely hated by us, fans