Nolan spent most of the interview discussing the somewhat controversial casting of Heath Ledger in the role of the Joker, Batman's most iconic villain. Following up Jack Nicholson's take as the Joker in Tim Burton's Batman is a challenging task, and one that many fans worried Ledger wasn't up to.
Nolan, however, had no such doubts:
I was looking for someone who was fearless. I knew that I needed a fantastic actor, but I also knew that I needed someone who wasn't going to worry about comparisons to any other actors who had played the role. I met with Heath before we even actually had a script. We talked about ideas for who the character would be in this movie as opposed to his previous appearances in movies, and we both saw it in the same way. He's just an incredible, incredible actor, and if you see Brokeback Mountain, it's an amazing performance from a young actor. It's just this sort of youthful energy that he has and the kind of intensity that he brings to this process has been pretty extraordinary to watch.
When asked specifically about whether he had any fear of Ledger being compared unfavorably to Nicholson, Nolan answered "Oh, not particularly. Jack Nicholson did a very definitive portrayal of a type of Joker; a version of the Joker in the Burton film that has lasted as an icon. We were always going to come up against that so I didn't particularly worry about it. Also, Heath is one of those actors who, in his best work, completely transforms himself and that sort of consumes his star quality. He's creating something that's entirely original for himself and so he's never done anything like this before. I can't say that I was hugely surprised or worried about the reaction because whoever we would've cast, it's going to be tough for people to know how the palette is going to work. Particularly with Heath, who's dredging something up from a side of himself that you've never seen before."
Nolan also discussed his thoughts about the Joker as a character, and what his relationship with Batman is. "The Joker, in his own way, is as much an icon as the Dark Knight is and that presents us with just a tremendously exciting opportunity in terms of how we carry on our story and continue to explore the point of view of the character because, as I said, he is as almost as much an icon as Batman himself. It's a pretty terrifying spectacle, and he's a really fascinating character...We want to create a villain who, as colorful and eccentric as he is, it's still coming from a place of psychological reality. It's coming from a recognizable, everyday reality. So the notion of the Joker as the most extreme form of anarchist, the most frightening form of anarchic, chaotic presence in Gotham, that's very much the starting point for the character and very much what the character has become."
When asked whether Harley Quinn, the Joker's one-time psychologist turned girlfriend and criminal sidekick, would be appearing, Nolan just laughed and said "It's all a rumor."
Asked if The Dark Knight was the last film in the Batman franchise for Nolan, the director explained that he believed it was, but he was unsure. "I never thought that I would do a second "Batman" film. Let me put it that way. I had no thought of doing a second one when I was doing the first one, but obviously you never say, "Never." Every film I'm working on, however, to me is generally the last film I'm ever going to make. That's my approach to making film." He continues, "I'm very single-minded and very focused on the task at hand and I do focus on just this movie. I really don't have anything in my head about what's next or doing another one or whatever. "
to read the full interview with Christopher Nolan.The Dark Knight opens on July 18, 2008, and stars Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart and Maggie Gylenhall.
The Dark Knight was released July 18th, 2008 and stars Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Monique Gabriela Curnen. The film is directed by Christopher Nolan.
Comments (19)
To leave a comment, please sign in or use
Facebook or Twitter
THE JOKER
and err2005 thats not why she was created either. please buy a comic book and read it. in the comic she is just as loony as the joker. not a moron like the latter part of the animated series made her into. She is a very decent character if she gets done like she was in the comics. Thats the key to these movies. they have to not only follow comics, but the ones we like.
4 years agoby @mcleve02Flag
THE JOKER
well if harley was done right she be fine. she wasnt a comical p*ssy in the comics as she was portrayed in the animated series. but i agree i think they should focus more on the rise of the joker and leave her out for now at least. but Nolan will be back. No body worry about that. Everyone knows this film is going to rock and Warner Bros. and DC Comics are going to pay him a pretty penny to return. I can not wait for thsis one to finally come out. this is going to be the best film of 2008!!!
4 years agoby @mcleve02Flag
outlaw Returns
WILL SCARECROW BE BACK?
4 years agoby @memo17Flag
Space101
Nicely done.
4 years agoby @space101Flag
killahmovie24
let me tell you how this cant be the last one, i mean on top of the fact that i cant wait for this one, nolan has really done a great job with this story, i guess i would just like to see his take on robin and other villians like 2face and the penguin, nolan keep'em coming!!!!!!!!
4 years agoby @killahmovie24Flag
The Kwisatz Haderach
Cant wait for this. Nolan rocks the cast is awesome! Bring on The Dark Knight!
4 years agoby @the-kwisatz-haderachFlag
Err
harley quinn is a gay character created for the less-intelligent childish batman fans, and no one with an IQ over 80 would hope that she would make it into the film.
4 years agoby @err2005Flag
SampleFIN
I so much hope, that there ain't any Harley in this. After this there should be Two-face, and only Two-face, and then these movies should go down to history with the legend mark still on them, before they become just, bad.
4 years agoby @samplefinFlag
dcrock
Interviews for a movie are like interviews in sports.You can talk about it all ya want but untill you actually see the outcome it's all talk.But i'm not a very optimistic person.But i'm sure it'll turn out well.
4 years agoby @dcrockFlag
Outlaw122779
Yeah hes got some things up his sleeve hes not talking about
4 years agoby @outlaw122779Flag
2_FACE
i think hes lying about harley he wants it to be a suprise, aleast i HOPE
4 years agoby @2-faceFlag
Rama's SCREEN
I hope Chris and John Nolan come back for the third installment.
They have brought this whole franchise to a whole better level.
Leaving it to someone else this early would be like Tim Burton letting Joel Schumacher ruined the first franchise all over again.
4 years agoby @ramasscreen-comFlag
tyler13d
Try reading the full interview instead.
4 years agoby @tyler13dFlag
outlaw Returns
Well maybe he is not thinking about a 3rd,but two face will appear at the very end of the movie just like the calling card of the joker in Batman Begins.With means there will be a third,but I hope Christopher Nolan does come back to direct it and Johnatan Nolan to write the screenplay again.
4 years agoby @memo17Flag
PUNISHER
Cant wait for this.
4 years agoby @cerealkillerFlag
The Narrator: The Better Man
i agree with all of you.this will be the dark knight we've been waitin 4. nolans a great director.
we have an all star cast.
the perfect story line.
what more can we ask for.
this will be great and i hope he comes back for a 3rd.
4 years agoby @narratorFlag
Phatlightning
ledger was a good choice and I can not wait to see his performance on screen
4 years agoby @sxers2k1Flag
hasido
I like how Nolan says he treats every movie like it's his last. His focus and commitment to TDK will definitely make it one of the best films in 2008. I just hope he comes back for a third.
4 years agoby @hasidoFlag
CelluloidDreams
Nice interview! Not to many secrets givin away!
4 years agoby @2movieguysFlag