The Official THE DARK KNIGHT thread

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  • emtiememtiem SurreyPosts: 5,999MI6 Agent
    Is 'different' suddenly a bad thing, now?
  • Willie GarvinWillie Garvin Posts: 1,412MI6 Agent
    edited May 2007
    emtiem wrote:
    Is 'different' suddenly a bad thing, now?


    Not necessarily.But in my opinion,making something different for no other reason than to make it different,might be a mistake.Particularly with something that already has an established appearance people will expect to see retained.These characters come with specific images that are well known to generations of readers and filmgoers alike.They're immediately recognizable worldwide.For a filmmaker to suddenly decide that The Joker will now look like Bozo the Clown,for example,and completely abandon the consistent and distinctive appearance The Joker has had from his debut in 1940 all the way up to 2007, would be wrong.Like many Batman fans, I believe that retaining The Joker's unique look is absolutely essential to the success of the character.Making this new movie's version of The Joker, The Joker in name only,would--in my opinion-- be a terrible creative decision.

    The Dark Knight provides the Nolan brothers with an opportunity to do with The Joker what they did so well when they cast Christian Bale and Gary Oldman as Bruce Wayne/Batman and Jim Gordon in Batman Begins--giving audiences actors whose images greatly resemble the characters as they've been depicted in the comics.Surely they can turn Heath Ledger into a
    recognizable Joker.
    As a character,The Joker is rich enough that he can be interpreted in several styles successfully--provided the undercurrent of evil isn't overlooked.The Joker is a a theatrical fellow, but he's also a dangerous psychopath--and not a figure of fun.Hopefully,he won't be played too broadly.That'd be a shame.

    And frankly,I hope he'll look something like this:

    ManWhoLaughs.jpg
  • LoeffelholzLoeffelholz The United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
    Amen to that! B-)
    Check out my Amazon author page! Mark Loeffelholz
    "I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
    "Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
  • a rogue AIa rogue AI Posts: 128MI6 Agent
    Agreed. A fan edit of a Veidt as Gwynplaine photo was really cool. Enjoy.

    veidtphotoshopjokerdc6.th.jpg
  • RogueAgentRogueAgent Speeding in the Tumbler...Posts: 3,676MI6 Agent
    This from iF Magazine:




    Movies
    'HEROES' STAR ERIC ROBERTS TALKS ABOUT THE NEW BATMAN 'DARK KNIGHT'
    He'll be a mobster and what else is invloved in the role?




    By SEAN ELLIOTT, Senior Editor
    Published 5/2/2007


    LOCATION: The world of Comic Books

    THE SKINNY: Eric Roberts is one of the men in power within the shadow conspiracy on NBC’s HEROES, but Roberts has also just signed onto another superhero project, THE DARK KNIGHT. While Roberts isn’t giving up too many details he does seem excited by the project and says that he’s not just drawn to super hero projects, indeed they are drawn to him.



    “I’m as drawn to them as they are to me,” explains the actor. “ I’m a Mafioso in THE DARK KNIGHT and I haven’t seen the script; all I’ve seen is the pages they sent me to audition. It’s all very hush hush. We’re going to be shooting in Chicago and London. I love Christian Bale what an actor. I have interactions with both Heath Ledger and Christian Bale and I am a bad guy. It was thanks to HEROES that I started to get this new found appreciation for the comic book genre.”

    So now the speculation begins as to whether he just might be the mobster who throws acid on Harvey Dent to create Two-Face…hmmm?


    http://www.ifmagazine.com/new.asp?article=4407
    Mrs. Man Face: "You wouldn't hit a lady? Would you?"

    Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
    -Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
  • KGB with loveKGB with love Posts: 18MI6 Agent
    I must say i love Betman Begins and i'm waiting The Dark knight with anticipation. I hope it won't dissapoint us. I also have one question:
    I would like to read Batman comics( of all super heroes i like Batman the most)and i need advice which to read first. I like more darker aproach of the film rather than campy tv series, so which comics should i read?
  • PendragonPendragon ColoradoPosts: 2,640MI6 Agent
    I absolutly think that Christian bale should play Bruce/Bats again. he was BRILLIANT in BB. {[]

    ~Pen -{
    Hey! Observer! You trying to get yourself Killed?

    mountainburdphotography.wordpress.com
  • RogueAgentRogueAgent Speeding in the Tumbler...Posts: 3,676MI6 Agent
    edited May 2007
    I also have one question:
    I would like to read Batman comics( of all super heroes i like Batman the most)and i need advice which to read first. I like more darker aproach of the film rather than campy tv series, so which comics should i read?



    Well I think I can point you in the right direction from my point of view anyway. A good way to play catch up would be to purchase these graphic novels:

    BATMAN: Year One

    Batman: Hush

    The Killing Joke

    The Long Halloween

    Might I also urge you to pick up BATMAN: Knightquest(?) for a good solid read. It remains one of my favorite Bat-titles.


    If you want dark, these titles may be up your alley. B-)
    Mrs. Man Face: "You wouldn't hit a lady? Would you?"

    Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
    -Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
  • NightshooterNightshooter In bed with SolitairePosts: 2,917MI6 Agent
    I'll second everything RA just said, especially Long Halloween, which is just amazing storytelling with powerful artwork, and the darkest of the ones mentioned (except for possibly Killing Joke, which I still haven't read. Anyone have an extra copy?)
  • RogueAgentRogueAgent Speeding in the Tumbler...Posts: 3,676MI6 Agent
    edited May 2007
    I'll second everything RA just said, especially Long Halloween, which is just amazing storytelling with powerful artwork, and the darkest of the ones mentioned (except for possibly Killing Joke, which I still haven't read. Anyone have an extra copy?)


    I have an extra one around here, Night. Of course I'll have to look through about 10 long boxes of books but I remember getting two. I'll look for it and send it your way. ;)



    Also, I just watched THE BATMAN cartoon this morning with Martian Manhunter co-starring.


    The JLA made an appearance at the end- Hal Jordan, GA, Hawkman & The Flash.

    I think that they are setting up season four for alot of great guest appearances. {[]

    Still not too crazy for the art style though...
    Mrs. Man Face: "You wouldn't hit a lady? Would you?"

    Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
    -Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
  • NightshooterNightshooter In bed with SolitairePosts: 2,917MI6 Agent
    RogueAgent wrote:
    I'll second everything RA just said, especially Long Halloween, which is just amazing storytelling with powerful artwork, and the darkest of the ones mentioned (except for possibly Killing Joke, which I still haven't read. Anyone have an extra copy?)


    I have an extra one around here, Night. Of course I'll have to look through about 10 long boxes of books but I remember getting two. I'll look for it and send it your way. ;)



    Also, I just watched THE BATMAN cartoon this morning with Martian Manhunter co-starring.


    The JLA made an appearance at the end- Hal Jordan, GA, Hawkman & The Flash.

    I think that they are setting up season four for alot of great guest appearances. {[]

    Still not too crazy for the art style though...

    Thanks buddy. I owe you one *cough* getting my ass down to the Yankees store *cough*

    - - -

    I also watched that ep this morning, just because the world ending thing seemed kind of cool. Hal Jordan looked pretty awesome, as did GA.

    - - -

    Have we discussed the possibility of Robin at some point, by the way?
  • TonyDPTonyDP Inside the MonolithPosts: 4,307MI6 Agent
    edited May 2007
    I also watched that ep this morning, just because the world ending thing seemed kind of cool. Hal Jordan looked pretty awesome, as did GA.

    Hal Jordan eh? I'll have to check this out. I haven't seen The Batman in a while but I thought the stories were well written; I wasn't too wild about the art style either though.

    Also, if I may add a few more Batbooks that I thought were good reads:

    Batman 3D: A great little Batman adventure written by John Byrne and drawn by Ray Zone to take advantage of those red/green 3D glasses (a pair are included with the book). The art gallery at the end is just amazing and the images literally jump out of the page. If I could keep just one Batman book, this would probably be it simply because of the unique style of it.

    Blind Justice: Written by Sam Hamm (who wrote the original screenplay to the 1989 movie) to coincide with Batman's 50th anniversary, this story is more about Bruce Wayne and provides a fascinating look into his mind and what makes him tick.

    Son of the Demon / Bride of the Demon / Birth of the Demon: A trilogy of Batman tales written by Denny O'Neill involving Raas Al Guul and Talia. Lots of great art and a very surprising ending in the last book.

    Punisher/Batman: Deadly Knights: A nifty little Batman/Punisher crossover with some great writing and another surprising ending.
  • RogueAgentRogueAgent Speeding in the Tumbler...Posts: 3,676MI6 Agent
    The Dark Knight Teaser Page Up
    Source: Dark Knight from Evil Planet, noname86 May 12, 2007



    Warner Bros. Pictures has brought online a teaser page for director Christopher Nolan's highly-anticipated Batman Begins follow-up, The Dark Knight, opening July 18, 2008. The site currently has a photo of the Batman signal. The film stars Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Eric Roberts.

    tdk_logo.jpg
    Mrs. Man Face: "You wouldn't hit a lady? Would you?"

    Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
    -Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
  • HardyboyHardyboy Posts: 5,912Chief of Staff
    I was hoping for the classic "rounded" bat logo this time out, but a cool teaser nonetheless. And here's the latest on The Joker, courtesy of IGN; however, beware the possible spoilers, indicated in the article itself:

    The Joker Begins

    Dark Knight to cover Clown Prince's origin?

    by Stax

    May 11, 2007 - Rumors are spreading online that The Dark Knight may feature an origin story of sorts for The Joker, played by Heath Ledger. If true, an origin subplot would help clarify discrepancies about the Clown Prince of Crime's look in the Christopher Nolan-directed sequel to Batman Begins.

    A blogger named "David" at blog.360.yahoo.com posted about his experience as an extra on the set of the forthcoming football drama The Express where he met another extra who claimed to have just worked on the Chicago shoot of The Dark Knight as Heath Ledger's stand-in.

    If the following claims are true then be aware of SPOILERS ...

    According to the blogger, "(The stand-in) hung out with Ledger who said that The Joker character in this movie starts out as a unhinged, green-haired nutjob who wears a malleable clown mask when he does all his crime jobs. He said that he found out that as the movie progresses something happens to him in a Batman encounter that permanently fixates his face in the clownish appearance."

    "One of the scenes he was working on was a scene where Joker hijacks a school bus and drives it into the Gotham National Bank. So, it's a bank robbery scene that was filmed at the old post office off Canal St. near Van Buren (right by my work). He said they filmed there for about a week and the bank manager was played by William Fichtner. ... I'm hoping to get in on that set as an extra as well when they come back for a couple of months in June. He mentioned that they want him to keep his hair the way it is, kinda long and straggly, for that their return."

    Of course, these are all details that anyone who followed the news and rumors during the film's stint in Chicago could have compiled. Still, if the claims are true then it suggests the Joker will have two different looks in the film.

    A source for Batman-on-Film.com, however, believes the blogger's source was likely an extra rather than a stand-in for Ledger. BoF's scooper said, "Unfortunately, I can't confirm The Joker origin info. Based on personal speculation from what I do know, it sounds very plausible. The only two things I know is that XXXXX mentioned at what point in the movie the bank robbery occurs, and Ledger did have Joker make-up on for the camera shot where he takes his clown mask off. However, it was obvious that the make-up did not continue down his neck and it seemed that it was to look as though the character put it on himself. Again, this is personal speculation, but knowing those two things, I think the origin [reported in the blog] is very plausible."

    Just one question: how do you "fixate" a face? Sorry: I are a English teacher.
    Vox clamantis in deserto
  • Willie GarvinWillie Garvin Posts: 1,412MI6 Agent
    edited May 2007
    Don't be SO picky,Hardy.Here's what happens:the face gets fixated after the mask gets sticksated.C'mon-everybody knows that...:v

    That being said,I don't believe there's anything wrong in dramatizing a relatively faithful version of The Joker's origin story in The Dark Knight.IMO it doesn't need to be completely rewritten.

    It'd be a shame if the Nolans decided that the Burton film somehow offered so definitive a rendition of the classic Bill Finger Joker origin that they feel compelled to make substantial changes to The Joker as a result.
  • emtiememtiem SurreyPosts: 5,999MI6 Agent
    Hardyboy wrote:
    Just one question: how do you "fixate" a face? Sorry: I are a English teacher.

    Arf!

    So what was the origin of the Joker in the comics? Was it in The Killing Joke? I seem to remember it being about him- I've got it on the shelf somewhere...
  • RogueAgentRogueAgent Speeding in the Tumbler...Posts: 3,676MI6 Agent
    The Dark Knight Filming Update
    Source: Raj May 14, 2007



    'Raj' tells us the latest on the filming for Chris Nolan's The Dark Knight, with a possible small spoiler:

    I thought I'd let you know that they were filming The Dark Knight on Saturday and Sunday (12th & 13th). On Saturday they were filming at Senate House, London and on Sunday they were filming a restaurant scene involving Christian Bale at the Criterion, Picadilly Circus.

    The above information was given to me by some of the crew who were standing outside the criterion yesterday.
    Mrs. Man Face: "You wouldn't hit a lady? Would you?"

    Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
    -Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
  • Willie GarvinWillie Garvin Posts: 1,412MI6 Agent
    edited May 2007
    emtiem wrote:
    Hardyboy wrote:
    Just one question: how do you "fixate" a face? Sorry: I are a English teacher.

    Arf!

    So what was the origin of the Joker in the comics? Was it in The Killing Joke? I seem to remember it being about him- I've got it on the shelf somewhere...


    Yes,it's in Alan Moore's "The Killing Joke"--which is based upon the story "The Man Behind the Red Hood", which was published in 1952 and was written by Batman's co-creator Bill Finger(who created The Joker in 1940 with artist Jerry Robinson).
  • RogueAgentRogueAgent Speeding in the Tumbler...Posts: 3,676MI6 Agent
    edited May 2007
    Dark Knight Teaser with Harry Potter?
    Source: Ain't It Cool News May 15, 2007



    Ain't It Cool News has posted a rumor that we'll be seeing a teaser trailer for The Dark Knight when Warner Bros.' Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is released in theaters on July 13.



    I'm a little wonky of AICN lately but there's got to be some truth to this.
    Mrs. Man Face: "You wouldn't hit a lady? Would you?"

    Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
    -Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
  • RogueAgentRogueAgent Speeding in the Tumbler...Posts: 3,676MI6 Agent
    Vote Harvey Dent for District Attorney!
    Source: Kieran, Barabbas May 17, 2007



    The official website for Warner Bros. Pictures' The Dark Knight has updated with a new image that features Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent. The pic is for his political campaign for district attorney of Gotham City. In Batman lore, Dent becomes Two Face after his face is disfigured by acid. He chooses to do good or evil by flipping a coin.

    You can view the pic by clicking on the Batman logo here or you can visit the promo site directly at IBelieveinHarveyDent.com!

    The official site's source code also includes the following synopsis for the film:

    Batman raises the stakes in his war on crime. With the help of Lieutenant Jim Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent, Batman sets out to dismantle the remaining criminal organizations that plague the city streets. The partnership proves to be effective, but they soon find themselves prey to a reign of chaos unleashed by a rising criminal mastermind known to the terrified citizens of Gotham as The Joker.


    http://ibelieveinharveydent.warnerbros.com/
    Mrs. Man Face: "You wouldn't hit a lady? Would you?"

    Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
    -Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
  • HardyboyHardyboy Posts: 5,912Chief of Staff
    Cool poster--heck, any red-blooded Yank would vote for a guy who looks like that and who wraps himself up in the flag! And here's another bit of news (source Cinematical) : Nestor Carbonell has been cast to play the mayor of Gotham City. He's currently appearing as the mysterious "Richard" on Lost, but he'll always be The Tick's Bat-Manuel to me!
    Vox clamantis in deserto
  • NightshooterNightshooter In bed with SolitairePosts: 2,917MI6 Agent
    RogueAgent wrote:
    Vote Harvey Dent for District Attorney!
    Source: Kieran, Barabbas May 17, 2007



    The official website for Warner Bros. Pictures' The Dark Knight has updated with a new image that features Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent. The pic is for his political campaign for district attorney of Gotham City. In Batman lore, Dent becomes Two Face after his face is disfigured by acid. He chooses to do good or evil by flipping a coin.

    You can view the pic by clicking on the Batman logo here or you can visit the promo site directly at IBelieveinHarveyDent.com!

    The official site's source code also includes the following synopsis for the film:

    Batman raises the stakes in his war on crime. With the help of Lieutenant Jim Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent, Batman sets out to dismantle the remaining criminal organizations that plague the city streets. The partnership proves to be effective, but they soon find themselves prey to a reign of chaos unleashed by a rising criminal mastermind known to the terrified citizens of Gotham as The Joker.


    http://ibelieveinharveydent.warnerbros.com/

    What's with the blonde hair?
  • HardyboyHardyboy Posts: 5,912Chief of Staff
    What's with the blonde hair?

    ?:) Eckhart has blond hair--never seen him in a movie with a different hair color. Gads, Night, you're not going to start some sort of protest, are you? "No Blond Harvey Dents! Join the protest at aaroneckhartnotdent-dot-com today!"
    Vox clamantis in deserto
  • NightshooterNightshooter In bed with SolitairePosts: 2,917MI6 Agent
    Haha, I'm not going to protest, I just wasn't expecting it.
  • Bad DogBad Dog Posts: 21MI6 Agent
    This is some sweet marketing...

    http://www.ibelieveinharveydenttoo.com/

    Type in your email address and they will send you a link and pixel coordinates. Type in the coordinates and a part of the picture will be revealed. It looks like we are are gonna get our first look at the new Joker!

    For the record, I haven't been able to get this to work with my email address, so I've just been using this website that gives you a temporary email address.

    www.10minutemail.com

    Everyone shoud do this at least once and hopefully we'll have a full picture by tomorrow night! Film geeks unite!
  • emtiememtiem SurreyPosts: 5,999MI6 Agent
    That's a great idea. AICN reckon they have the final image here: http://www.aintitcool.com/node/32723

    I dunno if it's real or not.
  • RogueAgentRogueAgent Speeding in the Tumbler...Posts: 3,676MI6 Agent
    emtiem wrote:
    That's a great idea. AICN reckon they have the final image here: http://www.aintitcool.com/node/32723

    I dunno if it's real or not.



    I really don't know what to think at this point; I'm a little skeptical about something like this so early on. It does seem to fit in with Nolan's milieu.

    Is he supposed to have a Chelsea smile or chancres? ?:)


    Give me a minute on this one... I just don't know what to think yet.
    Mrs. Man Face: "You wouldn't hit a lady? Would you?"

    Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
    -Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
  • HardyboyHardyboy Posts: 5,912Chief of Staff
    Errr. . .what's a Chelsea smile? Or do I want to know?

    Apparently the image is real: when I went to the "I Believe in Harvey Dent" site it dissolved and revealed that face. Definitely creepy; otherwise, I'm not sure what to think myself.
    Vox clamantis in deserto
  • RogueAgentRogueAgent Speeding in the Tumbler...Posts: 3,676MI6 Agent
    edited May 2007
    Hardyboy wrote:
    Errr. . .what's a Chelsea smile? Or do I want to know?


    Well, H.B. it's an old Brit gangster term or act that originated in the UK... Sorry, I guess I thought others were familiar with that term but it's a crude act nonetheless.



    A Glasgow smile (or Chelsea grin) is a nickname for the practice of cutting a victim's face from the edges of the mouth to the ears: the cut - or its scars - form an "extension" of what resembles a smile. Sometimes to further hurt or even kill the victim, he or she would then be stabbed or kicked, most notably in the stomach (or in case of kicking, the groin), so that the the face would be ripped apart when the victim screams. The practice originated in the Scottish city of Glasgow, which gave it its name. It also became popular in Chelsea, London (where it is known as a "Chelsea grin") and other areas of Britain, for gangs hoping to leave a message to rival gang members.
    Mrs. Man Face: "You wouldn't hit a lady? Would you?"

    Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
    -Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
  • Dan SameDan Same Victoria, AustraliaPosts: 6,054MI6 Agent
    He looks like Marilyn Manson. :o :D (Especially around the eyes.) I too don't know what I think of it. As a non-comic book fan who watched the TV show and the films (plus a few episodes of the animated series), I can't help but think that the ideal would be to do something similar to Nicholson's setup.
    "He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
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