Sunday, May 20, 2007

Heath Ledger as Joker?


Heath Ledger as Joker
Originally uploaded by Heidi Meeley.
According to gossip maven Perez Hilton, this is the first published picture of Heath Ledger as Joker for the upcoming Batman Dark Knight movie. Complete with Perez-added nose candy, this is a look I was slightly unprepared.

Dark. Very Dark.

How fitting for the title of the movie.

I have mixed emotions about this. What do you think?

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I was actually pleasantly surprised. Well, maybe "pleasant" isn't the best operative word in this case...but a good updated look for the new Batman franchise.

It takes the Joker into much darker territory than even members of the general public familiar with Nicholson's Joker would be expecting. I think there's an opportunity to play the Joker in a very dark, disturbing way, and darker than they've ever taken the character before. The Tim Burton/Jack Nicholson Joker flirted with that kind of darkness, but was still properly "wacky" in spots. This time, I don't think we're going to get too much "wacky".

Eaglewing said...

I actually think it works. This Batman franchise is supposed to be about realistic grittiness, and this fits. I'm still not sold on Ledger in the role, but I think they've got the look right.

Lisa said...

If this movie is as dark as the previous one, this will definately work. I think it gives the feeling that they're going with a much darker version of Joker than we saw back the last time Joker was in a Batman movie. Like eaglewing, I've never been 100% behind Ledger as Joker, though.

Heidi Meeley said...

You know, this look is growing on me. I think you are absolutely right about it fitting the tone of the movie. I can't wait to see more!!

inkdestroyedmybrush said...

no question, this is a combination of the original inspiration for the joker, conrad veidt in "the man who laughs" movie from the '30's meeting the dead presidents movie poster.

good. dark. lets all go there together and get scared.

Carl said...

What is the meaning of the "Perez-added nose candy"? Is the Joker supposed to be a coke head? NOt sure I understand that. Hmmmm, yeah, it does look a bit like "The Man Who Laughs" with scarring instead of a chemical-induced smile. I guess I'd more then just the face to go on, he has to have the classic purple suit and all that too...

Kirk Jarvinen said...

Reminds me a lot of Marilyn Manson.

I'm thinking this version of the Joker is going to give the little kids in the audience nightmares!

I'm glad I grew up with the classic Cesar Romero (and Nicholson)version:)

Heidi Meeley said...

Carl, I am dying to see the suit. I wonder if it will be purple.

Perez Hilton will put "cocaine drops" on celeb faces at his site. He also writes names on the pictures. It is not for the faint of heart, and as a Punisher type guy I know you could handle it!

Heidi Meeley said...

Kirk, that is a good point. If parents take kids that are too young to this thing, it could be a bad deal. The first movie was pretty dark and I don't see this being any different.

Excellent point.