SO..whats everyone thoughts on the new JOKER cast rumor??

[the_coldest_sun]

Okay, so Latino Review just announced that Heath Ledger is officially cast to play the Joker in the Batman Begins sequel. What does everyone think? As of now, I'm not really sure how I feel about it. It could really go either way.

EDIT: Here's the link, btw: http://www.latinoreview.com/news.php?id=736

http://www.latinoreview.com/images/upload/newspic736.jpg
http://latinoreview.com/images/heathledger.jpg

[David Atkins]

:evilangry

That's my first response. After a bit of consideration... I dunno, he MIGHT be able to pull it off. If it's true, we'll see.

[mrc1214]

Hes a good actor but I think he'll be a horrible Joker. But will see you never know.

[shaunyc56]

Heath Ledger, WTF, Joker isn't supposed to be a pretty boy, and he's not supposed to be buff. Paul Bettany(I think that's his name, guy from Gangster #1) would be much better. And even w/ that I'm already willing to accept the accent.

[Iron Syndicate]

IGN has practically confirmed it. I think we can all call it fact and not rumor...

http://filmforce.ign.com/articles/719/719898p1.html

[shaunyc56]

I'm not gonna be the first to make a "Brokeback Joker" joke, um.... However, I wouldn't mind reading a few.

[literally exaggerated]

Heath Ledger is a very underrated actor, but also, as far as I can tell, 100% wrong for this part. I hope to god the casting directors saw something I don't, because right now I'm really worried.

[David Atkins]

IGN has practically confirmed it. I think we can all call it fact and not rumor...

http://filmforce.ign.com/articles/719/719898p1.html

And earlier this year, imdb.com confirmed that Kate Beckinsale was Wonder Woman following an April Fools joke by Joblo.com.

I'm sticking to 'rumor' for the time being.

[lllhouselll]

No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Violently Apathetic]

Hehe, I hope it's true, just to watch the fanboys go batshit insane.

[The Shadow]

imdb.com confirmed that Kate Beckinsale was Wonder Woman following an April Fools joke by Joblo.com.
I would KILL to see Kate in the WW costume!

:D

[Nick Kal]

Interesting... but still not official.

[saintsaucey]

I agree with the wtf comment. This casting is all wrong (if it is for real) I hope this is some kind of sick joke. Though I thought the same with Willam DaFeu (or however it is spelled) hopefully if this rumor is true, it will prove me wrong again.

As for leger, i'll bet he wishes Shumacker(how ever it is spelled) was still designing the bat suits.

[Kid Quick Foots]

at first glance, i couldnt see it at all. STILL cant see it, but im willing to reserve judgement until i see him act the part, if he does indeed get it.

[protege]

I'm not gonna be the first to make a "Brokeback Joker" joke, um.... However, I wouldn't mind reading a few.
How about a "brokeback batman" joke?

[Haunt]

wow. i sure hope this was after Paul Bettany turned down the role. otherwise, wtf were they thinking? and it has nothing to do with fanboyism. i don't even read Batman. but i'm familiar enough with characters to know that Bettany or Eccleston would have been better physical picks. and they both can act. so how the hell did we get to Heath Ledger? i wonder if they'll alter his face in any way? his nose is very small and round. for some reason i can't picture the Joker with a nose like that.

[InvinciBill]

I haven't started reading Batman comics yet, so my opinion is only based on my knowledge of the movies and actors. But Steve Buscemi would have been rad.

[CDB]

I've mixed reactions. On one hand I'm deeply...deeply concerned!! And on the other Nolan's smart and Ledger's a good actor. So for now just have to wait and see.

[Choppa]

Jesus Christ. Well no one really thought Morgran Freeman or Michael Caine would be good in their roles and I think they were great. However, then there was Katie Holmes...

[Doom Hammer]

You know, it's so unexpected it might work. I mean, it's in a completely different direction than anyone would expect, but I mean, why the hell not? Let's see where this goes.

I agree that Paul Bettany would've been awesome, though...

[David Atkins]

I would KILL to see Kate in the WW costume!

:D

You and me both!

[Kaos]

so stupid...heath ledger..wtf

[SincereAgape]

Wonder is Harley Quinn is going to be in the movie. From what I remember from the Animated Series....when not dressed in her clown costume...Harley is an absolute FOX! Would love to see her portrayed on the big screne.

[avro_arrow]

I dunno.

Half the things we (mainly I) love about the Joker might be toned down to keep the film dark and brooding.

And for chrissake get Ledger a prosthetic nose.

And I bet people will be complaining about Joker's hair being too dull.:D

[jaguarshark]

I'm very ok with it. Ledger is a TERRIFIC actor (have any of you seen the Aussie film 'Candy' that came out this year?), and he kinda has the right 'smile' for the role. It keeps the international casting feel of the new 'Bat' flicks alive, as well...

[Mia]

I hope that it's true. I was hopping that they would go for an underatted actor or someone who wasn't a character actor (ie. Robin Williams). I would not like to see Batman upstaged again like in '89.

[Rexi]

ledger has the ability to pull it off so im not too concerned. i trust in nolan completely so ill be looking forward to watching bale kick heath's ass all over the screen in summer '08.

[Haunt]

Wonder is Harley Quinn is going to be in the movie. From what I remember from the Animated Series....when not dressed in her clown costume...Harley is an absolute FOX! Would love to see her portrayed on the big screne.


gawd, i hope it's not that Michelle Williams girl!

[Bordnlazy]

You know ledger isn't exactly a bad pick, the joker is supposed to be slender with a head that has kind of a sharp chin, and ledger physically has those attributes. also he could definetly pull off the joker grin. And lately he doesn't exactly look to boyish, the dude is starting to show wrinkles which would have a good effect if he had on white make up.

that said while he can physically look like the joker. The joker is someone who has to have FLair! As well as Visible Body language, if ledger can pull off the laughter,grin,flair and body language i think many will be surprised how good of a joker he can be.

There could be worse pics to be honest.

[Fish Sauce]

If you'd just said Heath Ledger I'd be going wtf? But with that picture I can almost see it. Still not sure though.

[The Rusty Lantern]

My first reaction: Cool. I'm glad they picked someone who's up and coming, and I think Ledger is a pretty decent young actor. I'm also glad they didn't go with someone more "obvious."

It's a smart move if it is indeed it's true: I've seen some pretty horrible lists of suggestions for the Joker in this film that make me wonder if the people who made them ever really get out of the house ...

[Armless Penguin]

Not quite sure who made it, but I found this alteration of that other picture online:

http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/9894/heatsq3.jpg

When I first heard this, I definitely thought Nolan had lost it. But the more I think about, the more I think it could work. Ledger has proven himself a great actor, so I'm almost positive he could pull off the persona. And the look isn't that bad either.

[fAtal eXprEssion]

I think that Ledger could pull it off. I actually think that he could make quite a good joker in fact. I just can't wait to see the results, and the movie.

[Lanowar]

I think the general consesus here is that he's a good actor and might look the part. However the Joker's brand of insanity just seems like somthing Ledger's not used to doing. Then again rarely does anyone agree with the casting of an actor from the get-go. I mean how often have the fans actually liked the casting of someone in a movie just on the basis of whose going to play said character?

Examples if you know any I can only think of Patrick Stewart as Professor X...

[mendeex3]

Heath Ledger, WTF, Joker isn't supposed to be a pretty boy, and he's not supposed to be buff. Paul Bettany(I think that's his name, guy from Gangster #1) would be much better. And even w/ that I'm already willing to accept the accent.
somehow i agree with you. look at the comic book joker, the other actor who can also pull this off is jim carrey. He was joker in riddler's costume in the batman movie he was casted in. He has the physique and the natural movement, elongated face and the joker grin, not to mention his joker laugh. And above all, he is a comedian!

[mendeex3]

hey A.P., with the picture you showed, ledger looks like the late brandon lee's THE CROW who fell victim with joker gas, sorry i laughed when i saw it. :). I still say find another actor... like jim carrey(i wonder if it is still possible for him to play joker after playing joker in riddler's costume?) who is joker in his secret identity(shhh)!

[SlightlyMad]

wow. i sure hope this was after Paul Bettany turned down the role. otherwise, wtf were they thinking? and it has nothing to do with fanboyism. i don't even read Batman. but i'm familiar enough with characters to know that Bettany or Eccleston would have been better physical picks. and they both can act. so how the hell did we get to Heath Ledger? i wonder if they'll alter his face in any way? his nose is very small and round. for some reason i can't picture the Joker with a nose like that.

Was Bettany ever officially offered the role? He would've been great.

[Mia]

I'm guessing that the Joker won't be over the top like the character in the comic book or the first film. I think they will go more along the lines Cillian Murphy as Scarecrow. Menencing, creepy and sadistic.

[Sizzle]

Menencing, creepy and sadistic.

Exactly.

Maybe Heath will tone down for the role too much as Bale muscled up for his role. Heath was not even in my thoughts as a candidate (I was hoping for Brody). However, I feel he's a good actor and I have confidence that Nolan won't let us down and working with a fine actor like Bale he'll rise to the occaision.

[Kintales]

Yeah Heath i guess could still fit in that role.

But I'm thinking Crispin Glover could ace it...

http://www.imdb.com/gallery/ss/0305357/Ss/0305357/JB-CN-33A-26.jpg?path=pgallery&path_key=Glover,%20Crispin

[SlightlyMad]

Maybe Heath will tone down for the role too much as Bale muscled up for his role.

Christian could give him some advice on that, from filming The Machinist before he bulked up again to become Batman.

http://www.aboutfilm.com/movies/m/machinist2.jpg

[monkeysweat]

I'm guessing that the Joker won't be over the top like the character in the comic book or the first film. I think they will go more along the lines Cillian Murphy as Scarecrow. Menencing, creepy and sadistic.
And, apparently, I'm one of the few people hoping that's what they do.

[curefreak]

I think the general consesus here is that he's a good actor and might look the part. However the Joker's brand of insanity just seems like somthing Ledger's not used to doing. Then again rarely does anyone agree with the casting of an actor from the get-go. I mean how often have the fans actually liked the casting of someone in a movie just on the basis of whose going to play said character?

Examples if you know any I can only think of Patrick Stewart as Professor X...
fraiser as beast too seemed a very fanboyish choice and a good one too.:)

[Rexi]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y202/theanomaly2/73055d64.jpg
found it at The Coming Soon! boards

[Tobias March]

Was Bettany ever officially offered the role? He would've been great.

Apparently not, though he's been driven mad by the rumours. Cool avatar by the way.

(I was holding out for the earlier rumoured 'George McFly', myself :-D)

[PersonaDark]

Yeah Heath i guess could still fit in that role.

But I'm thinking Crispin Glover could ace it...

http://www.imdb.com/gallery/ss/0305357/Ss/0305357/JB-CN-33A-26.jpg?path=pgallery&path_key=Glover,%20Crispin

I definitely go with Glover after Willard. Or Benicio Del Toro after that car scene in Sin City

[RandomNinja]

Though it's hard, I never judge something like that until I actually see it in action. I have a feeling that Leder's going to surprise everybody and be an awesome Joker.

[revolver86]

Yo, according to Batman-on-Film.com (THE Batman film site) It's a done deal and the offer was made yesterday. The rumor isn't so much a rumor as it is an intentional leak to coincide with the Comicon by Warner Bros. And when Batman-on-Film says it's true, it's freakin true!

[Gary Joyce]

I was hoping for Crispin Glover or Walton Goggins.Both have the Joker look and can act.

Walton Goggins - http://openworld.blogspirit.com/images/medium_shane_vendrell.3.jpg

Crispin Glover - http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Gallery/8993/cglover1-1.gif

I cant really say anything about ledger because i've not seen any of his work to judge him in.All i will say is i'm glad Bettany didnt get the part.

[curefreak]

i cant imagine in my wildest dreams heath ledger being able to pull off the joker i know if i was directing it i sure wouldnt consider him.

[The Foreigner]

i cant imagine in my wildest dreams heath ledger being able to pull off the joker i know if i was directing it i sure wouldnt consider him.

So you wouldn't consider a popular, up and coming actor who is spectacularly talented and has an extremely broad acting range. Good thing you aren't directing it.

I personally am really excited about this casting choice. People flipped out about Topher Grace as Eddie Brock, but I hear very little negative buzz about him now. I had complete faith in Sam Raimis casting, and after the brilliance of Batman Begins, I can't imagine why I would feel any different about Nolan. Ledger is amazingly talented, and it'll be cool to see him play something totally new like this.

[Karl J. Barnes]

How about a "brokeback batman" joke?

Yeah, it would be the BANE of his existance.....

[Karl J. Barnes]

So you wouldn't consider a popular, up and coming actor who is spectacularly talented and has an extremely broad acting range. Good thing you aren't directing it.

I personally am really excited about this casting choice. People flipped out about Topher Grace as Eddie Brock, but I hear very little negative buzz about him now. I had complete faith in Sam Raimis casting, and after the brilliance of Batman Begins, I can't imagine why I would feel any different about Nolan. Ledger is amazingly talented, and it'll be cool to see him play something totally new like this.

I agree. I don't remember, if people were all that excited about Christan Bale playing Batman either. So let's just see what happens and then judge the outcome.

[the_coldest_sun]

Those mock-Joker photos of Heath Ledger are just awesome. I'm liking the choice of casting more and more with time. I do like that Nolan casted someone we completely overlooked, who's an up-and-coming actor, but we've never seen Ledger act in any part like this (which could be a very good or bad thing).

As far as I'm concerned right now: complete faith in Nolan.

[The Joker]

I can live with that.

To be pefectly honest, I never considered Ledger as a potential Joker for the Begins sequel, but I believe he's good enough actor to possibly turn in a performance that will be truly memorable. No worries.

[Sabrinaset]

I knew Ledger reminded me of something ... Joker from The Killing Joke ...

http://latinoreview.com/images/heathledger.jpg

http://img.search.com/9/95/300px-Jokerorig.png

[botch]

I think the general consesus here is that he's a good actor and might look the part. However the Joker's brand of insanity just seems like somthing Ledger's not used to doing. Then again rarely does anyone agree with the casting of an actor from the get-go. I mean how often have the fans actually liked the casting of someone in a movie just on the basis of whose going to play said character?

Examples if you know any I can only think of Patrick Stewart as Professor X...

most people thought christian bale was inspired casting and they still do. they didn't think they would get such a high class actor to be batman.

[curefreak]

i had complete faith in christian bale anyone who can convingly play a yuppie serial killer has my ticket and anyways the more i thought about it bruce wayne is a billionaire playboy with lots of psychological issues so it didnt too far fetched for me .

[The Batman]

i think that Ledger could really surprise us. A Knight's Tale aside, he's shown that he's got skill in both Monster's Ball and Brokeback Mountain and i really doubt that Nolan is going to cast someone simply because or their celebrity.

assuming this is true, i'm willing to give both Nolan and Ledger the benefit of the doubt.

[pitbull in a skirt]

We'll see what happens :)

For whatever reason, I think Bruce Campbell would make an interesting Joker. I dont know why, but it somehow fits. Although I'm not sure if he's good at drama aswell as he is in comedy. But if that could be improved upon he might he a pretty interesting choice IMO ;) And if you've seen Lucy Lawless as Meg on the Xena show too, she'd make a perfect Harley Quinn. Very similar characters: goofy, not too bright and funny. Plus she'd look great in that costume :p I just dont like the way she looks with Blonde hair (even though, ironically, that is her natural hair color :confused: ).

[Choppa]

People doubted Caine and Freeman too but they worked out well.

[rickfury188]

How about a "brokeback batman" joke?

Haha. I get it.

[rickfury188]

Many fans thought that Bale was the perfect choice for Batman. Maybe since the Joker is his arch enemy, they went the complete opposite and picked a person who you would never have thought.

[curefreak]

i think that Ledger could really surprise us. A Knight's Tale aside, he's shown that he's got skill in both Monster's Ball and Brokeback Mountain and i really doubt that Nolan is going to cast someone simply because or their celebrity.

assuming this is true, i'm willing to give both Nolan and Ledger the benefit of the doubt.
maybe the casting choice is out of his hands and someone is pressuring him to cast him? ( if the rumours are true)

[curefreak]

People doubted Caine and Freeman too but they worked out well.
i really hope they bring back morgan freemans character i really really liked him.
and as far as caine..... well he played a completly different alfred than one weve ever seen before,
in my opinion this alfred seemed more of a confidant and a friend than a servant or butler.

[Rexi]

maybe the casting choice is out of his hands and someone is pressuring him to cast him? ( if the rumours are true)
i doubt that, while its always a possibility. nolan made such a great 1st film that there is no reason the execs (or whoever) would be squeezing him.

i really hope they bring back morgan freemans character i really really liked him.
and as far as caine..... well he played a completly different alfred than one weve ever seen before,
in my opinion this alfred seemed more of a confidant and a friend than a servant or butler.freeman will be returning, as i believe he is signed on. i thought alfred has always been "more of a confidant and a friend than a servant or butler." if you are referencing michael gough's version to caine's, i thought caine was far superior. granted, caine had a much better script.

[BeastieRunner]

Latino Review scooped Routh as Kent/Superman before an announcment. FYI everybody . . .

[curefreak]

i doubt that, while its always a possibility. nolan made such a great 1st film that there is no reason the execs (or whoever) would be squeezing him.

freeman will be returning, as i believe he is signed on. i thought alfred has always been "more of a confidant and a friend than a servant or butler." if you are referencing michael gough's version to caine's, i thought caine was far superior. granted, caine had a much better script.
it happened with tim burton it can happen again tho im sure the warner brothers learned theyre lesson last time (i hope)
and im not just talking about micheal gough im talking about every version of alfred thats came before really.

[BMmovie]

I think Jonathan Tucker would be a much better Joker:

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x180/Baconbitz757/ShouldPlaytheJoker.jpg

[tony2074]

apparently they casted ledger after he impressed ater a reading/casting session with bale.


speaks for itself really. i trust the director and everything he's doing.