Heads up: On The History Channel from 9-10 is Batman Psych. They're replaying it again in a couple hours along with Batman Tech (and Star Wars Tech). I'm DVR-ing all of it.
I just think it is incomparable. Yes, they were playing the same character but it was under totally different aspects. Jack's was more comical, Heath's was darker and more serious. I like both of them in the roles they played in their respective movies.
as good of an actor as Jack Nicholson is, how could anyone doubt that he could play as sinister a Joker as Ledger? he's that good. Ledger just happened to be in Nolan's vision.
I would really like to see Bane in the next movie along with the Riddler. I think both could fit in the movie realistically. Bane especially because he is the only villain to hurt Batman by breaking his back.
Movie trivia time from IMDB: "To prepare for his role as the Joker, Heath Ledger lived alone in a hotel room for a month, formulating the character's psychology, posture and voice (the last one he found most difficult to do). He started a diary, in which he wrote the Joker's thoughts and feelings to guide himself during his performance. He was also given Alan Moore's comic "Batman: The Killing Joke" and "Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth" to read. Ledger also took inspiration from A Clockwork Orange (1971)'s Alex and Sid Vicious." "Heath Ledger improvised when he started clapping inside his jail cell in a mocking and sardonic capacity as Gordon is promoted. The clapping was not scripted but Christopher Nolan immediately encouraged the crew to continue filming and the sequence was included in the film."
Spoiler Which was totally an in-joke with the fanboy crowd. Batman not being able to turn his neck in the movies has been a source of ridicule among that set since 1989.
I think Jack Nicholson is just about as good a movie actor as there is. But, maybe just because he's been playing such easier roles for the last couple decades, I can't see it. I also can't see a 65 year old man embodying that anarchic energy. I wouldn't count him out but I can't picture it. Also, this wasn't necessarily Nolan's vision; Ledger apparently approached Nolan with a fresh take on the Joker and lobbied to play it. This take was invented by Ledger. So, while I wouldn't count Nicholson out in any way ever, the only way I see him achieving the total anarchy Ledger did would be for Ledger to have directed him in it. Without Ledger there is no this-version of The Joker. It was a departure even from the character's storied history in the comics. Or, rather, it was an advance. I guess that's why it blows my mind that anyone wasn't totally blown away by it. mlwoo is, of course, the silliest about it. I can see, as a taste issue, disagreeing with Ledger's take. (I guess.) But to say he missed the mark is just flat stupid. He invented the mark.
Jack Nicholson: while I'm not saying he could match Ledger, his character in The Departed was both awfully similar to this Joker (in his mannerisms - the hand scene in particular), and largely improvised. Evan
Batman actor Christian Bale arrested over assault allegation Batman actor Christian Bale has been arrested in connection with an allegation of assault. By Chris Irvine Bale, 34, attended a police station after it was reported his mother and sister had reported him to police. The alleged incident was believed to have taken place on Sunday night at Park Lane's Dorchester Hotel where Bale is staying. His mother Jenny, 61, and sister Sharon, 40, are said to have gone to a police station in Hampshire to make the allegation, which was subsequently referred to the Metropolitan Police. A Met Police spokesman said: "A 34-year-old man attended a London Police Station on Tuesday by appointment and was arrested in connection with an allegation of assault. "He currently remains in custody." Despite the alleged incident and report, Bale was allowed to attend the first European screening of the new Batman blockbuster The Dark Knight in London's West End on Monday night uninterrupted. Bale was joined on the red carpet by Maggie Gyllenhaal, who plays love interest Rachel Dawes, and Sir Michael Caine who plays Bruce Wayne's faithful butler and father figure Alfred. The film took a record $158.3 million in its opening weekend at the US box office overtaking Spiderman 3, which took £151.1 million. Interest in the film has increased because of the death of Heath Ledger. His performance as Batman's arch nemesis The Joker, has been widely tipped by critics, as well as Caine, to receive a posthumous Oscar. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/new...an-Bale-arrested-over-assault-allegation.html
