Tons of “Dark Knight” and Joker news
Production has officially wrapped on what is the most anticipated film of next year!* Barring any re-shoots, they are all done filming and heading to the editing room.
Here, the Joker “golf-claps” for the end of the shoot:
The first bit of news, may be a minor spoiler, but I don’t really think so I’ll post it anyway. Don’t expect a big Joker origin story. Maybe you shouldn’t expect one of any size actually. I love this. The comics have never really given a solid explanation of Joker’s past so neither should the movies. It’s so much freakier to wonder what the hell is wrong with that lunatic than to have someone tell you. He’s here, he crazy and he’s more dangerous than a meth fueled toddler with a chainsaw and a dirty bomb. Director Christopher Nolan was recently interviewed and had this to say:
“[THE DARK KNIGHT] is not ‘The Joker Begins.‘ We did not want to tell how The Joker became what he is. In those five minutes [of the prologue], we show how The Joker goes from being a small-time crook to Gotham‘s greatest villain. It‘s like ‘The Rise of the Joker.’”
There is an interview with Heath Ledger in the New York Times where he is doing press for his latest movie “I’m Not There” but of course talk turned to The Joker (how could it not?). Here’s the important stuff:
He is here in London filming the latest episode of the “Batman”“The Dark Knight.” (Mr. Bale, as it happens, plays Batman; Mr. Ledger plays the Joker.) It is a physically and mentally draining role — his Joker is a “psychopathic, mass-murdering, schizophrenic clown with zero empathy” he said cheerfully — and, as often happens when he throws himself into a part, he is not sleeping much. franchise,“Last week I probably slept an average of two hours a night,” he said. “I couldn’t stop thinking. My body was exhausted, and my mind was still going.” One night he took an Ambien, which failed to work. He took a second one and fell into a stupor, only to wake up an hour later, his mind still racing.
He carries his interests around with him, and his kitchen table was awash in objects: a chess set, assorted books, various empty glasses, items of clothing. Here too was his Joker diary, which he began compiling four months before filming began. It is filled with images and thoughts helpful to the Joker back story, like a list of things the Joker would find funny. (AIDS is one of them.) Mr. Ledger seemed almost embarrassed that the book had been spotted, as if he had been caught trying to get extra credit in school.
Hooooooly SHIT! That is so great. The only thing Joker wouldn’t like about AIDS is that he didn’t think of it first. He has this character so nailed.
He also spoke with MTV about playing the greatest fictional villain of all -time (my words, not his). In a nutshell he said it was the most fun he has ever had playing a character and probably the most fun he will ever have. As for his inspiration for the character he names the film “A Clockwork Orange” and punk rock icon Sid Vicious, but insists that is not it, there are plenty of more surprises to The Clown Prince of Crime . His goal is to “scare the crap” out of people.
Also, in light of the above photo, I think we can say with all certainty that Joker does not have white skin in this, but rather is so apeshit insane that he smears make-up all over his face. No word yet on how he got the smile scars, but I am personally hoping that he did it to himself (and maybe a few more people in the movie).
Finally, this “poster” has popped up online:
FAKE?
Yeah, probably.
*If this is not the movie you are most looking forward to next year go make out with your Keanu Reeves poster and watch “The Lake House” again.
