The Dark Knight The many faces of the Joker. Which is the "real" one?

[misterteenwolf]

ultimatefan,

Very nice essay. It was good read.

 

[GypsyCatcher]

Also, one other thing, though it's partly been touched on already.

.

I dont know why but the first picture reminds me of Michael Bolton....

 

[Cobblepot]

Get outta hereeee!

 

[bgshw44]

the second pic doesnt even look like ledger. the first and third pics look sick, sadistic, scary and professional. the second one looks like a guy dressed up for haloween

 

[ultimatefan]

That's a fine essay you wrote there, dude. Good job on that. I usually don't take the time to read things that long on internet forums, but that one was able to keep my interest long enough for me to read the whole thing.

Thanks, I´m glad to hear that!

 

[ultimatefan]

ultimatefan,

Very nice essay. It was good read.

Thanks, we try!

 

[Johnny DC]

With a new picture of Heath as the Joker under our belts it is time to reflect and try and solve the mystery of what exactly the Joker will naturally look like in this movie. One thing is for certain, it won't be consistent.

The first pic we got. The skin looks bleached (there are no visible cracks in the make-up) and the scar is extremely prominent. Also the lipstick is very messy, covering most oh his mouth ear to ear.

Here the scar looks significantly less grusome and the lipstick is much neater. However he is clearly wearing make-up (but is it white make-up or flesh make-up?) It should also be noted that his hair is brown with green running through it.

Seeing as we know the Joker is the Joker from the very beginning of the film, it is clear that at some point the Joker must use flesh make-up as you can see the skin around his eyes in this pic. Also, the hair is brown so he is either wearing a wig or has dyed it.

Its hard to say but the make-up in this pic looks very complete and filled-in. Could be his "natural" skin tone. The lipstick is once again neat but the hair is green to the roots this time.


Also, if you include the leaked pic of the Joker (the close-up where he is laughing which I can't post here) you will see that his make-up/green hair seems to be coming off, as if he was caught in the rain. His lipstick is also smudged.

Its really hard to know what to expect. With every new pic I get more confused. Nolan has said he is using the first 2 Joker appearances very strongly in this interpretation of the character. In those comics the medics who work on the Joker are surprised to see his skin as actually white all the way down his body, and the Joker wears skin-toned make-up as a disguise.

One thing is for sure, Nolan is great with surprises and secrets.

Don't forget the images we've seen of Ledger sans make-up in a police uniform.

 

[nedflanders]

Looks about the same to me.

First pic was obviously touched up.

Third is the IMAX bank thing that's gonna play in December.

Second is good lighting and a profile.

Last pic he's probably been through a bit of something and his makeup is smeared.

The forbidden pics clearly showed his makeup running. Consistency in the coat of paint he's got on is not necessary or even advisable.

 

[Cobblepot]

Third is the IMAX bank thing that's gonna play in December.

Huh?

 

[Crow222]

He's different in "teh bannd" pics too.

 

[Juggernaut33]

Guys are missing a very important thing. The Joker WEARS MAKE UP and therefor it is pretty difficult to match to exact same makeup every day. That's why I think he is slightly different.

 

[shapeshifter]

Guys are missing a very important thing. The Joker WEARS MAKE UP and therefor it is pretty difficult to match to exact same makeup every day. That's why I think he is slightly different.

right, and in some of these its fairly aparent that he is going for a grinning skull look. which I think works, because skulls have always sort of embodied death, and the joker finds death to be a great punch line

 

[Maggotx9]

good point

 

[gwynplaine]

I love evry incarnations of that new Joker. I also like the mystery surrounding his everchanging appearance, reflecting maybe his descent into madness (with permawhite possibly awaiting him somewhere down the line, one can always hope).

 

[Juggernaut33]

I love evry incarnations of that new Joker. I also like the mystery surrounding his everchanging appearance, reflecting maybe his descent into madness (with permawhite possibly awaiting him somewhere down the line, one can always hope).

Why is this so important to you that the Joker has a permawhite skin? Does that add depth to the character? I don't think so. it's just a story of being faithful to the comic book. Well, in first couple appearances of the Joker in the comics, his skin color wasn't important so it won't have any importance in Nolan's The Dark Knight either. I think you are taking that permawhite thing too seriously, for me it won't add to the character himself or to the storyline.

 

[Carnotaur3]

Also, one other thing, though it's partly been touched on already.

Compare these two pics:

While we can make allowances for lighting differences, you'll notice in the first photo that Joker's makeup seems to be a very thin coat, almost as if it was hastily slapped on. His hair is also very ragged and very "incomplete," being only partially green (some of the leaked pics confirm this from the same scene.) The second photo, however, shows hair that is clearly greener and "neater," at least on the sides. His makeup also appears thicker - there are cracks/streaks in his face and beneath the eye area that you wouldn't get with just a light coat. He looks more "Jokerish" in the second photo as opposed to the first.

There's something definitely going on here, but what it is, I have no idea.

Check the rest of the second pic. It has been color corrected in a greenish tint. So the hair is obviously going to seem greener than it was in the first one.

 

[the_monk]

Maybe Joker has some sort of major skin problem that gradually gets worse. Flesh eating bacteria?

 

[the_monk]

I dont know why but the first picture reminds me of Michael Bolton....

Maybe because he's also a no-talent ass clown, just like the Joker.

 

[shapeshifter]

Maybe because he's also a no-talent ass clown, just like the Joker.

someone is starved for attention.

 

[Steyin]

Don't forget the Coney Island guy as a partial influence on the Joker.

Anyway, I'm open to what Nolan's doing and do believe something interesting is going on in regards to his skin/makeup, but I always had one question in mind:

Since the Joker is a little crazy (well, psychotic really), how long would such a person immersed in this character and state of mind leave the makeup on, if it is indeed makeup? I think its interesting to contemplate; would someone in this state of being really worry about leaving it on, or taking it off on a regular basis? Does the makeup become natural in a way, where its not even thought of as makeup any longer? I guess we'll see, any thoughts?

 

[the_monk]

someone is starved for attention.

Fine, I won't make any more Office Space references...

 

[jsf]

are you guys serious? the joker wearing flesh colored makeup? ....he wears white makeup, lipstick and black aroudn the eyes.

from the pics we've seen he keeps changing throughout the movie. the very first pic of the joker we got from IBIHDT site, is what i believe the joker will look like at the end of he movie.

/thread

 

[Knightsaber Priss]

You know, I think there's a little more physical truth to that little tidbit from Miranda Fox a while ago.

About Joker growing crazier and more and more Jokerish over the entirety of the film? Maybe that goes for his skin too.

Maybe we don't SEE the chemical bath, but it happened off-screen earlier. Like during the "intermission" between the monorail crash and the end of Begins. That's definately a possibility.

And, instead of acting as "insta-bleach," it slowly degrades his skin and hair over time? Over the entirety of the movie? His skin breaks and cracks and turns whiter and whiter, his hair turns greener over time.

Maybe?

This is the theory I'm sticking with. So far, I like the look of the Joker in the car pictured above. Now let's see what this will alll look like in perpetual motion eh?

 

[gwynplaine]

Why is this so important to you that the Joker has a permawhite skin? Does that add depth to the character? I don't think so. it's just a story of being faithful to the comic book. Well, in first couple appearances of the Joker in the comics, his skin color wasn't important so it won't have any importance in Nolan's The Dark Knight either. I think you are taking that permawhite thing too seriously, for me it won't add to the character himself or to the storyline.

You are mistaken, as it is not that important to me. I'd prefer permawhite but what is really important is that he is a truly dark and scary character and poses a real threat to Batman and the people around him. Reread my post I'm very happy and love what I'm seeing so far, make-up or no make-up they seem to have captured the true essence of the character (cf : Batman # 1).

 

[MiniBond]

I'm gonna repeat what has already been said but I have to say it loud.....he's wearing MAKE UP !!!!!!!!!


Dont expect him to look exactly the same in all the scenes ! Even if I wonder why he seems so wrinkled in the lats pic....maybe the lighting I don't know!