Jack isn’t Joking…And He’s ‘Furious’

According to an article posted on MTV.com yesterday, Jack Nicholson is “Furious” that he never received a call in regards to the newest version of the Joker. So let’s cut to the chase, here following is said interview.

MTV: What do you think of another actor, Heath Ledger, playing the Joker in next summer’s “The Dark Knight”?

Nicholson: Let me be the way I’m not in interviews. I’m furious. I’m furious. [He laughs.] They never asked me about a sequel with the Joker. I know how to do that! Nobody ever asked me.

MTV: It was never brought up?

Nicholson: No. It’s like, in any area, you can’t believe the reasons things do or don’t happen. Not asking me how to do the sequel is that kind of thing. Maybe it’s not a mistake. Maybe it was the right thing, but to be candid, I’m furious.

MTV: I’m surprised to hear you sounding competitive about a role like that.

Nicholson: Well, the Joker comes from my childhood. That’s how I got involved with it in the first place. It’s a part I always thought I should play.

MTV: Will you see the new film?

Nicholson: I’m not inclined to watch it because of what I said. But if it’s a good movie, I’ll catch up with it somewhere. I don’t think they ever really captured Tim Burton’s spirit [since he stopped being involved]. They kind of drove the franchise into the ground. Tim Burton’s a genius. He had the right take on it. That’s why I did the movie. I did the movie based on a single conversation with him. We both come from the cartoon world originally. We had similar ideas. Tim said [the Joker] should have a humorous dark side to him…

Phew! Quite a mouthful in my opinion. Almost sounds like he’s a little upset about not being asked back for the role. Here’s the Truth: This isn’t yo’ Mama Burton’s Batman film.

Batman was an original attempt to create a cinematic comic. It brought a lot of the realism from the comics to the screen, which was sorely missed in it’s 1966 predecessor. And that was great. Kudos and cookies to Burton! He got what he wanted out of Michael Keaton and his art department but he was missing a key element…a villain with kahones as big as the Bat’s.

Jack delivered on the clown part, but he never felt menacing or scary. “Ooooh, look at me! I can hit on women while defacing art!” Please. Where’s the Joker that killed Robin? The Joker that has no problem staring someone in the eyes and laughing as he puts a bullet in their gut? Yeah, yeah different times, but can you really hold it against the Nolan brothers if they want to make the Dark Knight…well, dark?

Give it up.

We see you every year sneaking around the Oscars. We get it, you’re big shit. Hell, I’d probably crap and wet myself if I saw you walking down the street, but honestly…have you even seen Batman Begins? Can’t you tell that this isn’t going to be the same Joker it was nearly 20 years ago? This isn’t the same movie and I can’t help but wonder why anyone would need to “ask” you about the sequel. It’s not a sequel to your character or even Tim Burton’s vision. Let’s just move on and accept that you didn’t even originate the Joker role, it’s been around since before you were acting, and for the first time ever, it’s going in an “original” direction [unless you count the comics.]

Speak back peeps. What’re your opinions? Bring it. I can take it.