Actor chosen to play Joker in next Batman movie

[Loredoctor]

Nolan has earned my forebearance on the issue. Heath Ledger wouldn't have been on my list of likely candidates but the quality of "Batman Begins" has earned him the benfit of the doubt in my book.

Good post. However, I have my doubts.

[sgt.null]

LF: Crispen Glover would have made a great Scarecrow!

[dANdeLION]

I'm waiting to see the movie before I judge this; clearly Nolan knows what he's doing here.

[dlbpharmd]

Since Ledger has been a non-comedy actor in the past, this might actually work.

[dANdeLION]

It should. I read the graphic novel this film is supposedly going to be based on (I think it was called 'Batman: The Killing Joke'); you saw the insane Joker in it, not the funny Joker.

[Worm of Despite]

Nolan has earned my forebearance on the issue. Heath Ledger wouldn't have been on my list of likely candidates but the quality of "Batman Begins" has earned him the benfit of the doubt in my book.

Nolan blew me away with "Begins" and "Memento", but--ah heck, okay, maybe I'm not that torn about this whole thing.

I mean, Katie Holms didn't ruin the first movie for me, and she usually makes me retch. Plus, I happen to think Ledger's a pretty good actor. Just the absolute last person I’d expect to get the part. But hey: Nicholson didn't exactly look like Joker to me, and yet he and Keaton kept the whole film aloft. *shrugs*

Meh, still: Katie Holmes was cast in a minor role; this is the freaking Joker here. I know Bale will do his part to keep the film floating; here's hoping Ledger does the same.

[matrixman]

Robin Williams doesn't seem like a good choice to me. The Joker is insane, a madman, and I think that Williams would portray him as humorous. There's nothing funny about the Joker, he should be portrayed as extremely dangerous, possessing almost super human strength, ever bit the match for Batman.

Point taken. The last thing we want is an over-the-top style of performance that may wreck the mood Nolan is after. I defend Williams by saying he's a very capable actor who has shown in dramatic films that he can switch off his funny-man persona at will to suit the story. Oh, well. Whatever. I'm sure Ledger will put his own stamp on the Joker.

Great choices, Sarge and LF: either Buscemi or Glover would've been excellent as the Joker! (oops, or Scarecrow)

[Worm of Despite]

And for the record: wasn't at all disappointed by Cillian Murphy. Took me a while to recognize him from 28 Days.

I also realized: this is Batman Begins--the early days and such. I suppose it makes sense that all the primary actors are noticeably younger (Batman, Scarecrow, now Joker) than we normally remember them.

Damn, what's wrong with me. Gotta get Batman Begins on DVD already.

[duchess of malfi]

Ledger is one of the best (if not the best actor of his generation. He has done light fun roles (such as Casanova), and also some very serious ones (such as the ones in Monster's Ball and Broke Back Mountain).

Given his track record, I am certainly willing to see what he can do in this part.

He is also very easy on the eyes.

[Plissken]

It should. I read the graphic novel this film is supposedly going to be based on (I think it was called 'Batman: The Killing Joke'); you saw the insane Joker in it, not the funny Joker.

Is it really going to be based on The Killing Joke? If Ledger can pull off that monologue, I'll be severely impressed. It's one of my faves.

[sgt.null]

I guess I should rent Batman Begins then?

[Lord Mhoram]

Definitely, null!

[duchess of malfi]

Oh yes - it is very good! I did not like any of the other Batman movies, but I really enjoyed that one, it is very well done!

[sgt.null]

thanks I shall. I thought the first Keaton was good. but did not enjoy the others so much.

[matrixman]

Heh, I haven't bought Batman Begins either. Waiting to get a cheap, used copy.