Watch our exclusive tribute to Heath Ledger as The Joker
By Alexandra Heilbron on July 14, 2008 | 35 Comments
Sources are estimating that the new Batman film, The Dark Knight, is set to have a record-breaking weekend, pulling in as much as $130 million on its opening weekend. Heath Ledger, who died of an accidental prescription drug overdose after completing the film, is expected to be one of the film’s greatest draws, not because it was his last full performance onscreen, but because he’s extraordinary as The Joker. Co-star Michael Caine told Tribute: “I’ll tell you the secret of The Dark Knight. Heath Ledger as The Joker. Wait ’til you see that,” adding that the first time he saw Ledger walk on set in costume, it frightened him. Christian Bale, who plays Batman, was blown away by the humanity Ledger brought to the role, explaining: “It’s not such a wild caricature that we’re used to seeing as The Joker. This is just somebody who’s demented beyond belief.” To watch an exclusive video of Heath Ledger chatting with Tribute—prior to his death—about his role in The Dark Knight, as well more of his director and co-stars’ thoughts, and clips from the movie, click here.
anxiously looking forward to seeing Ledger’s portrayal of The Joker
am sure I won’t be disappointed
Counting down the days till this epic movie comes….TOO LONG OF A WAIT!
Friday right after work going to see it…can’t wait….
Question: Whats the difference between accidental prescription drug overdose & accidental Heroin/coke drug overdose?
Answer: an oscar
Abuse is abuse
comparing Chris Farley to Ledger’s role? Well, I guess that about sums you up.
actually I loved Ledger in Monsters Ball and also B.Mountain, both of which I do not own, both of which I saw before his death and yes, he was known to many before he died, Max.
your comments are in very poor taste.
Actual comparing Ledger to Farley is pretty accurate, I mean a fat out of shape Farley playing a ninja, now thats getting into your role to pull that off.
No buddy cared about Ledger, most infact when they heard he was playing the role of joker, were upset…now that he died, he has become a legend somehow bc of the way he died, I’m not making “jokes” about his death. but the way ppl are going on about him is sad. he was a drug abuser, pain killers,
prescription , coke, crack, herion, etc….it’s all the same…..he was high on painkillers and took to much. That shouldn’t win you an award.
When the movies over I bet you will stand up and clap, and say “oscar, oscar, oscar”
If his acting is worthy of the award, then so be it but, he should not be granted the award because he mixed and swallowed a handful of pills and died!
This movie looks bananas!
I just got my midnight ticket, can’t wait!
nancy have you seen the trailers? i mean just the 2 minutes he’s in it you can tell that an amazing performance is in this movie it looks like he’s as good in this as marlone brando was in a street car named desire i agree with jo-anne heath is great
I agree with Jo-Anne. Heath’s performance in The Dark Knight certainly looks award winning. From what I’ve seen watching the trailer, I can hardly even tell that it’s Heath Ledger. He doesn’t sound like Heath Ledger, he doesn’t act like Heath Ledger, and he certainly doesn’t look like Heath Ledger. And while mainly will just attribute that to “good acting”, isn’t that what the debate here is? Whether his acting is good enough to gain him an Oscar. And honestly, who the hell gives a shit whether they give him one or not? I mean seriously, is it that big of a deal if they just hand him a Oscar because of his tragic death. Sure it would end up being a pity Oscar, but can we just let him and his family have that? They’ve just lost a loved one and so if the Academy of Motion Pictures wants to hand them an Oscar in Heath’s name, is that so bad? From someone who’s seen the majority of Heath’s movies (From “10 Things I Hate About You” to “Brokeback Mountain” and many more in between) I think that his acting credentials allow him that honor. So can we just put our opinions aside and just let him have his day even if you don’t feel he fully deserves it. After all, the guy’s dead. Let him be.
nancy do you not like heath cause he played someone gay? you said in the article about jodie breaking up from her girlfriend that you dont agree with gay affection in puplic im not judging you on that i just wondering
because in my opion heath is a great actor i saw him when i was 10 in brokeback mountian and i thought wow! an i also thought that he was a brave an open minded man for realizing its ok to be gay
Sexuality has absolutely nothing to do with it. On the Jodie Foster article, yes, I said I don’t agree with it. I also said it, or implied it anyways, on the Clay Aiken article. Whether I like someone or not does not depend on their sexuality. I also know that Heath was not gay, that he only played a part in a movie. I did see the trailer for the movie and it looks really great. Heath very well could, and probably will win the award. I’m just saying that there will probably be some pity votes just because he is deceased!
thank you for explaning that i didn’t read the clay aiken article
it looks like im not the only 12 year old on tribute!
marvel man,
to me the whole point is, IF Heath’s performance is worthy of an Oscar nod (and yes, yes, I do understand how worthy to one is not worthy to all) then he should be nominated – my ENTIRE debate is based on the fact people are saying he shouldn’t be nominated or win due to the “drug inflicted” manner in which he died. That, to me, was total crap. I never once said give him an Oscar cuz he used drugs (and I must say your comment “sure it will be a pity Oscar” again missed my point.)
You haven’t even seen the film yet and you can make a comment like that? Wow.
Sure, the guy is dead, as you say. Let him be.
I go one step further. Let him be….remembered for what he has accomplished on the screen and if deemed he deserves the Oscar nod/win, then let it be so, give credit where credit’s due and allow him his moment in his final screen performance.
I have no doubt it will be a grand moment.
I think the only reason your agreeing with Max, Nancy is because he’s arguing with Jo-Anne…but my opinion is if Heath Ledger died from an overdose let it be.. it’s not the first time in hollywood that a good actor dies from that…but that doesn’t mean he’s not a good actor…I agree with Jo-Anne he made good movies before he died and yes people knew him before he passed away also…Brokeback Mountain did win Oscars also even if it wasen’t for best actor him and Jake did an amazing job…about the whole gay and lesbian thing it’s like you say to everyone Nancy if we don’t like your comments don’t read them well if a gay or lesbian couple want to make out on the street and your there than don’t look… they’re not doing it to entertain you or upset you (remember the world doesn’t revolve around you.. )…if the academy wants to give the oscar to Heath Ledgers performance in the Dark Knight I think it’s because he did an outstanding performance I have also seen clips of the movie and from what I have seen yes he does deserve to win…dead or alive…it’s not about pity…
I hate seeing people making out in public, whether they are gay or straight, to me that is a very personal, private thing, and should be kept private.
And as far as Heath getting an Oscar nomination, from everything I’ve seen, he deserves the nomination, and if his performance is really good enough, he deserves to win. The award should go to the most deserving performance, whether the person is dead or alive. I guess we will all just have to wait and see.
Heath Ledger was a well known actor who oozed talent.
Very much looking forward to seeing the movie on friday.
And the sick jokes MAX, he was a son, a brother and a father have a little respect for the families and keep your pathetic rude comments to yourself!!!!
I agreed with Max about Heath being a drug addict and that he should not get an award based on that, that it should be completely based on his talent!
nice one, Anonymous
It makes it worthwhile to respond when you have someone making valid points to talk to.
It’s very sad don’t you think how a tragic loss like this brings out the worst in some people?
I can’t wait to see the movie myself and especially the performance of Ledger. And I wouldn’t be surprised if many of the people making crass remarks here have already purchased their tickets….
Ok, back to the article, I won’t be seeing this movie right away due to my crazy schedule lately, but I can hardly wait to see it. From what I have seen so far, I feel he is very deserving of the nomination, and I am hoping that his performance is worthy of a win. If he does win, I think that will be something very special for his daughter, for when she is old enough to understand.
I find it funny (and sad at the same time) that this has gone from a healthy discussion about Heath Ledger’s performance, to a ridiculous child-like battle about who’s better than who. Quite frankly, I think all three of you ladies should take into account how immature your behavior is and maybe start setting a better example for your children (for those of you who have them).
Just one thought for all of you on this oscar talk…. when has a “superhero movie” ever been nominated for an oscar in ANY CATAGORY? it hasn’t happened and will not happen for Ledger, plain and simple. I’m anxious to see his performance, but generally oscars are awarded to stupid artsy films with little to no action. Wake up people, when the nominations come out and Ledger is not on any list, look to me and I’ll be the one saying “I told you so”
ok Ryxder
we’ll wait and see what happens, however I think he stands a great chance of a nomination
– arguing that it will not happen is a mute point, obviously
I totaslly disagree on stupid artsy film generalization and have thought many films were well deserved winners
I agree with Jo-Anne here. The face that “stupid artsy films” are the only ones that ever got nominated is quite far-fetched. I mean lets look at the past couple years for example. Little Miss Sunshine (which is a comedy, and far from “artsy”) was nominated for 3 Academy Awards including Best Picture of the Year. The movie even won 2 of those awards. And then at this last year’s Oscars, Juno (yet another comedy) was nominated for 4 Oscars including Best Actress, Best Director and Best Picture. It even won for Best Writer. I honestly don’t think you can predict what movies can be nominated on the sole subject of their genre. I think many people were surprised when Little Miss Sunshine and Juno (both of which were created independently without the help of big studio executives) were included in the Academy Awards. I don’t think its right to judge a movie based on its genre, but on the quality of the movie itself. The acting, directing, and writing are among the many things that make up a good movie.
very well put, marvel man.
Both aforementioned movies were far from the “usual” movies…incidentally I own both and love both, a little off the beaten track which is certainly entertaining, and the independent aspect opens the door for many others to participate in the race for Oscar
Jo-anne and Marvel man…I understand your point of view… I did like little miss sunshine, and I was glad that it was nominated. That being said, I still think both of you need to look at history, and remember that it has a way of repeating itself, therefore, a “superhero” movie has never been nominated, and will not be this time. I think Ledger and Bale are going to be superb in their roles, but oscar nomination for an action movie? maybe for the special effects, but best picture, best actor? come on!
Ryxder,
I see your point and fully agree that history has not been kind to “superhero” movies. I understand the fact that in the past not a single one has been nominated for an Oscar. But quite frankly, no “superhero” movie has EVER been good enough to even consider Oscar buzz let alone an actual nomination. The comic book based genre of movies have all been ridiculously corny, light, and quite boring. As an avid comic book reader I have been disgusted with the quality of the movies. That is, until Batman Begins came along. I do not support or read any of the DC based comic books (I stick with Marvel, obviously), however I cannot deny the quality of their movies. Batman Begins was the first comic based movie to actually register on the same level as the comic book. It was dark, gritty and didn’t have any this “If we stick together, we can do anything” bullshit that Marvel produces in their films. My point here is that of course no other “superhero” movie has been considered Oscar-worthy, they don’t deserve it. Not because their based on comic books, but because their quality is shit. The acting, directing, writing. Everything. It’s crap. All they’ve done is stuck hot girls in tight outfits with cool cars and some special effects. But Batman Begins and The Dark Knight (from what I’ve seen from the trailer) have gone in a different direction. They’re not corny, or lame, or filled with witless one-liners. They’re smart, clever, exciting films. And I think that’s what is going to decide if its Oscar-worthy. Not just because its a “superhero” movie, but because its a good movie.
I’m with Max on this one. Just because you OD, intentional or not, does not mean you should be raised to the rafters and held in such high esteem. This movie and it’s actors have a lot to thank Heath for, and it’s not necessarily for his performance in that role. Thanks to him OD-ing it has made them co-stars in one of the biggest openings since the Titanic. For THAT he should be nominated by his fellow co-stars!!!
it is definitely for Heath’s performance.
And for ther performances of the others in this outstanding film.
combined, they deserve highest applause.
You mean…..assuming it IS outstanding, right? I mean, I’m not saying that it won’t be but, weren’t you the one Jo-Anne, who was putting others down for judging the movie before actually seeing it??
OMG….HFS…
Yes, she is Tammy!! 😀
thanks Tammy, I caught your correct meaning
(as always)
i saw the movie hes a realy good joker!!!!!!!!!!!!!