IT’S HARD TO believe that it’s been a decade since ‘The Dark Knight’ was released. The movie which grossed over $1 billion worldwide was our first introduction into the modern Joker and many people were surprised when Heath Ledger was cast in the role.
The writer of ‘The Dark Knight’ Jonathan Nolan sat down with the Hollywood Reporter to discuss the movie and revealed that initially, he didn’t get why his brother and director Chris Nolan had cast Heath Ledger to play the role of the Joker.
Jonathan Nolan reflects on writing #TheDarkKnight and Christopher Nolan's decision to cast Heath Ledger as Joker: "I didn't get it, the studio didn't get it. And the fan community was … we were f—ing pilloried for it." pic.twitter.com/Tb9XPmFCnz
— Hollywood Reporter (@THR) July 18, 2018
In fact, Nolan revealed that everyone from the studio to the fans thought it was the worst decision ever.
No one got it, the studio didn’t get it. Everyone was coming at Chris and saying, ‘we don’t see it’. And the fan community, we were fucking pilloried for it. It was a disaster. This was the worst casting decision ever made.”
Lucky for us Chris ignored all the criticism and continued on with Heath in the role which led to one of the most iconic performances in recent memory. It’s incredible to think that at the start, people including the man who wrote the damn movie didn’t have faith.
It was a question of not giving the fans what they’re asking for but what they want. So, let’s find a really fucking serious actor who’s going to come in here and just tear this role to pieces.”
Tragically Heath died of an accidental drug overdose in January of 2008, just 6 months before the movie was released. He was awarded an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor posthumously.
Earlier this year his sister Kate revealed that he had wanted to do another movie in the Batman franchise with the Nolan brothers.
He was so proud of what he had done in Batman. And I know he had plans for another Batman. He loved working with Chris Nolan and Christian Bale and Gary Oldman. He just had the best time ever doing that film.”
