The Official THE DARK KNIGHT thread
RogueAgent
Speeding in the Tumbler...Posts: 3,676MI6 Agent
I hope that the mods permit this; I was trying to wait until the official shooting began on DK before overlapping the Batman Begins thread ahead of time.
I realize it's a year before we all get to see a real comic book movie (sorry Spidey fans ;% ) but we may as well get the ball rolling...
Here are filming updates on the project so far courtesy of SH.com:
The Dark Knight in Chicago this Month
Source: Reel Chicago April 11, 2007
Reel Chicago reports that The Dark Knight production is rolling into town this month:
"Batman" or whatever its secret title is supposed to be, starts this month and shoots through September.
If you witness any filming, be sure to let us know!
The Dark Knight Chicago Filming Update
Source: kal-el4real, peter April 13, 2007
'kal-el4real' wrote in with a scoop on the filming for Chris Nolan's The Dark Knight:
I went to casting today for extras for (the Dark Knight). The location was near the WGN studios off of Addison st. All around this area on buildings and warehouses were signs that read "RFK production staff only," or ,"RFK staff enter here," and, "RFK delivery drop off around back." (RFK obviously standing for Rory's first kiss, The Dark Knights production name." I can only imagine what is being housed in the massive warehouse in this area. As far as the casting went they REALLY needed cars and drivers for the June-September shooting they will be doing in the city. They said that they will do 1 week of shooting starting next week (April 21st-28th). Then the production will leave for a bit and return the begining of June. It seems that most of the stand inpositions have been casted except for the male 5ft11-6ft3 blonde hair position. I work downtown in a very tall building so if any day shooting goes on anywhere remotely around the heart of the city i'll keep you updated.
'peter' also told us the following:
i work across the street from the old post office in Chicago (just south and across the river from Sears Tower). They are clearly doing work on the inside of the lobby, and all around are signs that read "RFK" with arrows pointing to the building. They're also running something to the roof on ziplines from the building next door. They have a school bus in the loading dock, and are generally doing a good job at not having any visible filming equipment. Work started 2-3 days ago.
The Batman Begins sequel hits theaters on July 18
Maybe some of the area AJBers here like Barry, Loeff and Tee can purposely stumble onto the set and give and update?
...Without getting arrested of course.
2008 seems to be shaping up as a year for good fantasy films at least.
I realize it's a year before we all get to see a real comic book movie (sorry Spidey fans ;% ) but we may as well get the ball rolling...
Here are filming updates on the project so far courtesy of SH.com:
The Dark Knight in Chicago this Month
Source: Reel Chicago April 11, 2007
Reel Chicago reports that The Dark Knight production is rolling into town this month:
"Batman" or whatever its secret title is supposed to be, starts this month and shoots through September.
If you witness any filming, be sure to let us know!
The Dark Knight Chicago Filming Update
Source: kal-el4real, peter April 13, 2007
'kal-el4real' wrote in with a scoop on the filming for Chris Nolan's The Dark Knight:
I went to casting today for extras for (the Dark Knight). The location was near the WGN studios off of Addison st. All around this area on buildings and warehouses were signs that read "RFK production staff only," or ,"RFK staff enter here," and, "RFK delivery drop off around back." (RFK obviously standing for Rory's first kiss, The Dark Knights production name." I can only imagine what is being housed in the massive warehouse in this area. As far as the casting went they REALLY needed cars and drivers for the June-September shooting they will be doing in the city. They said that they will do 1 week of shooting starting next week (April 21st-28th). Then the production will leave for a bit and return the begining of June. It seems that most of the stand inpositions have been casted except for the male 5ft11-6ft3 blonde hair position. I work downtown in a very tall building so if any day shooting goes on anywhere remotely around the heart of the city i'll keep you updated.
'peter' also told us the following:
i work across the street from the old post office in Chicago (just south and across the river from Sears Tower). They are clearly doing work on the inside of the lobby, and all around are signs that read "RFK" with arrows pointing to the building. They're also running something to the roof on ziplines from the building next door. They have a school bus in the loading dock, and are generally doing a good job at not having any visible filming equipment. Work started 2-3 days ago.
The Batman Begins sequel hits theaters on July 18
Maybe some of the area AJBers here like Barry, Loeff and Tee can purposely stumble onto the set and give and update?
...Without getting arrested of course.
2008 seems to be shaping up as a year for good fantasy films at least.
Mrs. Man Face: "You wouldn't hit a lady? Would you?"
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
Comments
Below are two possible versions of how Ledger might be made up. These of course, are just fanboy designs - one being a buddy of mine's interpretation. Are they in the vicinity of what you envision?
The second pic looks like Joker may have had syphillis a tad too long.
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
My question: will he fall into a vat of chemicals?
Well, one could assume from the end of Batman begins that he already was the Joker - hence we'd have missed the vat of chemicals.
One thing I disliked about Spidey 2 was it felt like they spent too long explaining Doc Ock's origins. I'd really like to see the Joker just be, as what they did with the Scarecrow.
Does anyone know whats happening with Racheal - why did they recast her, why not just write her out?
Also, something tells me that we're gonna see something closer to the second picture.
I suppose you could always pay our bail. That is, of course, if you ever want to find out what we've learned.
A lot of good things seem to be going for us Chicagoans lately. The Batman movie is filming here, we will be bidding for the 2016 summer olympics....
I'm really looking forward to The Dark Knight. Like CR, I have some reboot/continuity issues with the Batman franchise, but I am excited none the less. I really liked "Begins" and I am anxious for the next installment.
-Roger Moore
BTW, is there anybody out there who would prefer to be surprised by what The Joker looks like when they go see the film?
Man, to be in Chi-town around this time...Knowing me, I'd just take the day off to find the filming locations around the area for Batman.
As to the question Nightshooter had earlier, I think that the epilogue to BB had already established The Joker as being Joker with the flip of that card and hearing that he was already causing havoc throughout Gotham.
Perhaps in the sequel, we will see some sort of flashback as to how he became or maybe Nolan will lapse the first film to syncronize with the current one which helps tie everything together in a Pulp Fiction sort of way.
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
~Pen -{
mountainburdphotography.wordpress.com
Well...if he looks like this...
...expect me to be very disappointed...like Singer/Superman Returns mad X-( .
I want my Joker pretty much spot on with the dynamic so expect me to be on the defensive pretty much until I see movie stills online and whatever teasers that might come up in the future months.
Ledger's already scaring me with this "more with the eyes than laugh" claim. 8-)
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
Nicholson was about 10-15 years too old to play a really convincing Joker. But I give him props for bringing so much energy to the part and being brave enough to get in front of the camera in a purple suit, white face paint and green hair. That's got to take guts.
As for B:TDK's Joker, I have a feeling Nolan won't present us with a definitive origin. That was already done before in the 1989 movie and I don't see him wanting to retread that ground. He'll probably just introduce the character as is and give us bits of his history thru dialog, like he did with Raas and Scarecrow in BB. Besides, with a character as off the wall as Joker, it's better to leave his background vague - showing his origin takes all their mystery away from him. Also, it is in many ways similar to Two Face's origin and that would present problems as well.
The Harvey Dent/Two Face origin, on the other hand will almost certainly be shown since his disfigurement plays a key role in twisting his mind and pushing him over the edge.
You should know me by now when it comes to BATMAN, Dan...
...I can't hold out like that. The suspense would kill me. ;%
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
Well, if it's any consolation to you, Rogue, I read not too long ago that Ledger has been practicing his laugh, so perhaps the character won't be all about the eyes after all!
As for what The Joker will look like, I guess it depends on if Nolan is still in the "realistic" mode. I can't imagine him going for an all-out fantasy character, so maybe he'll do something like follow Frank Miller's lead in The Dark Knight Returns and make the J-man an albino who dyes his hair green and puts on lipstick.
And here's some real news for everyone, courtesy of JoBlo:
No Batman for Gellar
Sorry, Buffy fans... my data-collecting microbots have finally returned from Gotham City, and they're telling me that there's "no truth" to the recent rumor that former vampire slayer Sarah Michelle Gellar will have a role in the Batman sequel THE DARK KNIGHT.
When the rumor arose, it quickly led to speculation that Gellar would play the Joker's lover and accomplice Harley Quinn, but it's not even known if the character is in the script, and my microbots could not confirm either way (they're not very good -- hey, I made them myself out of some old Zoids toys and a Radio Shack kit). However, they did record some indecipherable mutterings that another female cast member would be announced soon.
But who could that be? Aside from the returning Rachel (played by Katie proxy Maggie Gyllenhaal), the only other female role we know of is a Latino cop, possibly the big-screen version of Detective Renee Montoya from the early 90s animated Batman series. Yet it's still conceivable that the Joker will receive therapy at Arkham Asylum from one nimble nubile shrink named Dr. Harleen Quinzell. Returning director Christopher Nolan starts production soon, so we'll see a complete cast listing in short order.
Then again, remember the story about Shia LaBeouf in the fourth Indiana Jones movie. First the rumors were that he was in. Then the studios said there was no truth to the rumors. Then, just a few days ago, it was officially announced that LaBeouf is in after all! This could be more of the same. Or just another rumor.
I wouldn't be at all surprised if The Dark Knight's version of The Joker comes close to Hardyboy's suggestion:an albino(that might account for those "eyes" Ledger talked about) who colors his hair green,wears lipstick, and a modified zoot suit-but with less garish colors than the comic book Joker's outfit.This way Ledger wears makeup and a costume without going to extremes.
That card The Joker left Lt.Gordon was extremely low-key,with an almost forgetable image of a mime, as opposed to the grinning gargoyle so frequently shown in the comics.That may be a clue to the tone this Joker will have--or not.All we can do is speculate at this time.
Okay, W.G. this is a fear of mine that you've brought to the surface - Nolan's penchant for minimalism. Such an ugly word within the confines of a superhero movie.
I think that what you and HB have already stated on Joker will be heavily considered but Nolan may be playing with fire here because as you've stated about Batman's costume being so recognizable and running the risk of changing it too much brings on upheaval from the masses, wouldn't the same apply to Ledger's transformation if he's altered too much?
The Joker is my absolute favorite bad guy in comics followed by The Green Goblin...We all know how the latter bad guy ended up...his look sucked! Yeah, that's right- I rather wanted the comic version and not the NASA reject look. 8-)
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
In a perfect world,every time a comic book or comic strip character was dramatized in live action,it would look as much as possible like the original version.No directors or makeup people or egos would keep this from happening.
But unfortunately,comics fans such as ourselves, always wind up at the mercy of the filmmakers creating these movies--and many of them willingly acknowledge that they don't take these types of movies as seriously as other more "important" and personal projects.Having said that,I think that overall, the makeup artists on Warren Beatty's Dick Tracy movie(based upon one of Beatty's favorite comic strips) did an excellent job in replicating the look of so many of Chester Gould's bizarre characters(of,course,Beatty should've also been made up to look like Tracy).
Anyway,I'm really hoping that with this movie,Christopher Nolan will forgo attempts at making everything (and everyone)seem as "real" as possible,and go all out with a Joker who is immediately recognizable as the one in the comics.No improvements are needed with this character.Revising him isn't necessary.
That the Nolan brothers have said they're drawing some of the inspiration for The Dark Knight's storyline from The Joker's very first appearance in print(when he WASN'T a nice guy or a particularly clownish character),is a positive sign.I want The Joker to be absolutely chilling--and much closer in spirit to Bill Finger's initial version.I've yet to see that interpretation on the screen.Maybe Nolan can bring that about--I really hope so--especially since Batman Begins is such a good and surprisingly faithful interpretation of The Masked Manhunter(It's too bad Bruce and his parents didn't see The Mark of Zorro on that fateful night, but that's one of the very few complaints I have about the film--it certainly doesn't affect my enjoyment of the movie).
While I trust Nolan to come up with another good Batman movie, I'm also prepared for the possibility that he might announce that he's revised/simplified The Joker's appearance somewhat.Whatever the case,it won't really have any lasting effect because there'll always be plenty of comics and toys featuring The Joker and his true look.So even if there is some kind of alteration to The Joker it probably won't be a dramatic departure from what we're familiar with.
As I've told you elsewhere,I don't like what Tim Burton did with Batman or The Joker.Both characters were greatly miscast.Michael Keaton looked absolutely nothing like the Bruce Wayne of the comics--and all of the tortured explanations Burton offered to explain this casting decision fail to convince me that Keaton was right for the role.In my thinking,if the actor playing Bruce Wayne doesn't LOOK like Bruce Wayne, then all of the costumes in the world won't make him Batman.That Burton also said more than once--in public,and while making Batman that he "loathed" Batman(his word,not mine)only reinforced my thinking that he was the wrong man to helm a Batman feature film.
Conversely, Nolan seems to actually care about making a good Batman film and is correcting the damage Burton inflicted on the character.Christian Bale actually looks very close to the established image of the Bruce Wayne of the comics,and Gary Oldman's resemblance to Jim Gordon(particularly the David Mazzucchelli interpretation)is downright eerie.This is intelligent casting.Finally.For what I consider a successful live-action Batman movie(I'm not counting the 2 Columbia serials or the TV show), the fifth time proved to be the charm.What a shame it took so long...
Oh,and I like Jack Nicholson (within limits) and as with Tony,I think it's great that he decided to wear the full Joker makeup,but even so,Jack was still an overweight ham actor in the part.In fairness, don't hold Nicholson completely responsible for his over-the-top performance--he gave Burton what he wanted.Unfortunately,Burton was clearly more fascinated with The Joker than Batman, so the villain and overshadowed the film's titular character.I thought that was wrong.
Now these are only my thoughts.I realize that there are many people who just love the Burton Batman movies--I'm not one of them.Rogue,I've been a Batman fan since I was 5 years old--and that was 51 years ago,so I've had plenty of time to form opinions about how this character and his rogue's gallery have been handled both on the page and on the screen.
In all honesty,I don't think anyone in the film industry can ever come up with a live-action version of Batman that can hope to equal-let alone surpass- the wonderful Bruce Timm/Paul Dini animated Batman TV series.To my mind, that's the finest and truest version of Batman ever to come to the screen.
I agree with you on this, W.G. I would've preferred to see the classic square nose but I read an interview about 13 years ago that they tried to fit Beatty with the hawk-nose but it wouldn't take. Whether that meant that it hindered Warren's looks or it wouldn't stay on properly was never explained in detail why...
Here's something I read this morning in the special Wizard Mega Movie issue for 2007. It's an article about Eckhart joining the DK cast and him remaining coy about rumors of him being disfigured by Ledger's Joker.
Also in the article, I wasn't aware that the reason the Two-Face character never made an appearance on the 60s Batman tv show was because he was deemed as "too scary" for general audiences.
Below is just a quick scan I did at work of a page in that article. You can pick these magazines up free at your local comic shops while supplies last. "Chances are, you got it already!"
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
I'm one who likes the menancholy,tortured Harvey Dent of the comics and of the animated series--the tragic figure forever at odds with himself.If he isn't camped up,Two-Face has the potential to be one of the most impressive villains in the movies.
I agree. There used to be a ton of episodes available on Youtube, but most of them seem to have been deleted. All-time favourite episode has to be 'Beware the Gray Ghost,' that saw Batman working with his childhood hero, who rather touchingly, was voiced by Adam West.
Joker's New Look?
Now that The Dark Knight has officially begun production in Chicago (Superhero Hype heard via a set spy that a major action sequence is set to film tonight), all the buzz seems to revolve around The Joker -- or, more specifically, what in the world director Christopher Nolan has in store for Heath Ledger. According to Batman on Film, they recently received word that preliminary designs show that The Joker will have "gray skin with lots of scarring," which may or may not look similar to the picture above from Batman #663. Apart from that, BoF's source says Nolan is going for a more scary approach, rather than Joker's familiar clownish look. This would make sense, what with Nolan's version of The Scarecrow and Ra's Al Ghul in Batman Begins.
As far as his costume goes, it will most likely be nothing like the purple ("Oooh, I looove purple!") suit worn by Jack Nicholson in Tim Burton's Batman. Instead, reports indicate Joker's outfit will be "raggedy," like something he just threw together without stopping to make sure everything matched. (Kind of like the way I dress, except without the homicidal maniac angle.) In addition, BoF claims Warner Bros. might release a picture of Heath Ledger as The Joker later this summer in an attempt to ward off any and all spy photos leaked online from the London set. Personally, I think that would be a swell idea ... although I'm sure photos will pop up from time to time either way -- that's just how it works these days. If you had your way, how would you like to see The Joker turn out? Do you like the clown get-up, or would you rather a darker, more sinister version?
No scars, no rags--I say, bring on the clown!
I want the sinister menacing and perverse clown of the comic books.A frightening figure with green hair and a distended nose and jaw.The preening villain who looks like a nightmare in a zoot suit.I want to see the Bill Finger/Bob Kane/Jerry Robinson/Neal Adams/Jim Aparo/Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez version of The Joker,the REAL Joker--the one inspired by Gwynplaine--not an entirely different character that only uses his name.
I share your statements as well, HB...however, I won't go into panic mode too soon. Correct me if I'm wrong,gentlemen - please but isn't it pretty common in Hollywood that news like this is planted to start a buzz whether it be negative or not? Or is this some fanboy website starting chaos like this? I mean everybody waiting on this project knows that this is the $64,000 question: How will The Joker look?
I would like to believe that the Nolans have an advisor to go to on matters like this and I sincerely hope that they take heed to what he/she has to say on matters as sensitive as this. They get too "artsy and real" with Joker and they may receive death threats from diehard fans...not me of course...
My Joker doesn't have gray skin and keloids! X-(
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
Here you go, W.G.
Not perfect but at least no acne...
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
Interesting picture. If you put all that make-up on Crispin Glover, I swear he would look identical to that. Glover once released a single called 'Clowny, Clown Clown.' Maybe the producers missed out by not hiring him. Ledger has never struck me as being particularly funny.
Now THAT's more like it.
Too bad Willem Defoe was involved with Spider-Man--I think he'd have made a great Joker.He wouldn't need much in the ways of appliances in order to complete the resemblance,either.;)
And the Crispin Glover suggestion is absolutely inspired...
It's all rumor and conjecture at this point but frankly I'm not really wild about the sound of this.
For me, one of the things that made Joker was his sense of theatricality - the suit, the squirting flower, the outlandishly lethal gags, even the hat and walking cane. Say what you will about Nicholson's version, but at least he looked the part and his scheme - murdering everyone in Gotham just for the fun of it - was very true to the character.
But if he looks like a homeless man with grey skin and scars a lot of what makes him "The Joker" is gone, and I don't know if what's left is enough to sell the character.
My biggest fear with B:TDK is that Nolan pulls a Tim Burton on Batman Returns and twists the Batman mythos to his sensibilities rather than staying true to them. Hopefully, the other creative staff on the project will prevent that from happening but if this early description is to be believed, it's not a particularly good sign - for me at least.
Source: Matthew J. April 17, 2007
'Matthew J.' wrote in this report from Chicago where The Dark Knight is about to start filming:
I went to where they're filming "The Dark Knight" and I saw what everyone was talking about with the post office as the Gotham National Bank. A few new notes though: Filming won't actually start until Wednesday. The "Rory's First Kiss" notices say that they will be filming until Saturday or Sunday from 6am to 9pm. I took pictures of the set and there is an additional set piece that they added to the actual building on its west side, not sure what it is going to be used for though. Also, the coolest thing that I saw was that there was a schoolbus inside of the building. Again, I have no idea what it is going to be used for but I'm sure it has to do with a major action sequence. I actually took a good amount of pictures. I tried to get closer to the east side of the building but I was chased away by set security. Oh well though, I got some good stuff.
UPDATE: 'Matthew J.' sent along the photos as well, and described them as follows:
#1: this is the notice that traffic and parking will be obstructed due to the filming of "Rory's First Kiss."
#2: this is looking into the building and you can kinda see the top of a school bus through the bottom part of the window
#3: this is the piece that they added on to the building
#4: looking through the front door, here is the sign for the "Gotham
National Bank"
#5: this is an exterior look of the building they will be filming in...it has the lifts outside for lighting
You can check out location photos here:
http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=5510
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
Me too.In fact,I'm not at all sure that I'll go to see The Dark Knight if The Joker is reduced to being a scarred homeless man who laughs insanely.The traditional version of The Joker can be a very frightening character--he's a psychopath,after all--the only requirements are an intelligent screenplay,an actor who can handle the role,and the right kind of director.Nolan can call a scarred rag-wearing killer "The Joker" all he wishes, but if he bears no resemblance to the character, then I won't be convinced.As the saying goes,you can put a bowtie on a penguin-- but that won't make him Fred Astaire.
It's entirely possible that the thought of making a Batman film that faithfully represents some of the grotesque villains in The Masked Manhunter's rogue's gallery, embarasses Nolan.He could however,film a brief scene featuring a police sketch or newspaper editorial artist's rendition of The Joker in the full recognizable form, and then claim that he put the original version of The Joker on the screen--without actually doing that with an actor.Which would be a real shame, as well as a missed opportunity.Then again,maybe during the course of the movie this homeless rag-wearing man will steal a suit, apply theatrical makeup to his face and thus become The Joker as the general public knows him.
Perhaps a Nolan Two-Face will just have a small (but tasteful) scar on the left side of his face.However,he'll be so concerned about such a minor imperfection that in time he'll think the entire side of his face is completely destroyed(Bill Finger wrote a story like this years ago--Harvey Dent thought his surgically repaired face was permanently damaged, and he wouldn't rest until it actually was once again-an episode of the animated series was inspired by this).
I'm not real thrilled with the idea of minimizing the looks of some characters and making Batman's world seem "real".