It would be pretty funny since his sister has already taken over the Rachel Dawes role from Katie Holmes. They could just keep finding more Gyllenhaal siblings to replace Christian Bale, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, or Micheal Caine should they ever leave the franchise.
Because she was brought in to draw in the Firefly fans, not because she was the best person for the role. That’s why she plays her character like River Tam, rather than a Terminator.
While I haven’t dug back over my tapes of the first three episodes yet (that’s right, I still use a VCR), how can you know that? And why would a show based around the Terminator franchise (of which the last two movies made over a $1 billion worldwide) need to bring in Firefly fans?
Every little bit helps.
Anyway I’m tiring of this point. If people think wasting Jake Gyllenhaal wouldn’t draw attention towards the casting and away from the role itself, maybe they’re right.
To be honest, the looks factor for Levitt was really secondary for me, he is quite a fine actor. Batshit Insanity…I’ll grant you I have no proof of his ability there, he’s done enough for me to at least give him a shot. I’m not married to the idea, I’d just love to see him get an A-List part more than anything.
Gyllenhaal, eh? I’ve only seen Donnie Darko once - and a while ago at that, but I just don’t think he has the chops? Most of the stuff I’ve seen of his since doesn’t lead me to believe he can handle it but he isn’t a bad actor, by any stretch. I’d be happy to be proven wrong…
Crispin Glover is old, but he definitely has the insanity thing down. Heck, he wouldn’t even have to act.
Everybody knows Johnny Depp could handle the role, but you’d have to pay through the nose to get him. On top of that, I’d love the roll to go to someone who isn’t an A lister.
I’m with you on Bettany and Sandler.
The thread on the HBO series Rome got me thinking: how about Kevin McKidd? He knows how to do menacing, as demonstrated in his portrayal of Vorenus.
Some more names:
Rufus Sewell (the guy in Dark City)
Clive Owen (Children of Men)
James McAvoy (Atonement)
Jason Mewes (Clerks)
Snoochie boochies Caped Crusader!
Crispin Glover Date of Birth:20 April 1964
is younger than Johnny Depp Date of Birth:9 June 1963
And although I think Glover, would be perfect for the role, either one would make an excellent Joker. I don’t know if either one could follow Ledger’s performance; Ask me after I see Batman II.
And I agree, I’d rather see the role go to a late 20’s to mid 30’s relative unknown than a 40-something A-lister.
Where exactly did Heath Ledger show his “depth of angsty batshit insanity” (umm, besides possibly killing himself)? I don’t remember a role like that for him and nothing jumps out at me from his imdb list.
I thought Ennis was a “depth of angst” role, but the “batshit insanity” is, presumably, in the Joker role he filmed but I haven’t seen yet.
Did I think he’d be a good Joker when I heard the casting news? Nope, not really. I thought it was an interesting choice, but not really a good one. There’s a reason I’m not a casting director - I’m often wrong about this stuff. I feel like the previews alone have proven me wrong, and I hope he’s as good in the role as they and advance press make it look.
I see. No, to be perfectly honest, like yourself originally, I expect him to be a rather bad Joker and the previews are not remotely changing my mind. All his other roles that I’ve seen are pretty much standard intelligent/sensitive handsome dude (or “learns to be” that). I guess we’ll see how it turns out but I have a hard time assuming that if they hire someone else that he’ll have “big shoes to fill”. I think this role was Ledger’s chance to broaden his possibilities but it was cut short.
ETA: He might be really good, I just don’t see any reason to assume so - and I don’t trust advance press a lot.
Honestly, I’d prefer no more Joker after this one, just for a fresh villain to be brought in and see Nolan’s take on that. I know the script for Batman 3 had a pivotal part for him, but I’m willing to see a rewrite.
Besides, I never liked the Joker. And the movie posters are kinda eerie to look at now.
Similar build? I never saw Heath in person but he seemed to be quite solid and muscular. I can say from personal experience (not that way, mind you) that Joe is a weed. However, I think his shape and build would be terrific for the Joker. My only worry about Mr. Ledger’s casting was that I really wanted to see a super-skinny, comic-book joker.
Check out his vastly entertaining short film, Escargots, on his website hitrecord.org. Though it’s certainly not a sociopathic role, it shows some “bigger” acting than his more well-known film roles. As for crazy, check out his indie film *Manic *which does show him violent and acting out, though perhaps not in full “batshit” form.
I don’t know Joe beyond a friendly acquaintance, but based on that I’m not sure he’d even be interested. He’s very anti- big Hollywood and would have to really love the part, script and filmmakers before he’d consider it. Yet the Christopher Nolan/Christian Bale pedigree couldn’t hurt. Also I think he would be sensitive to the loss of his former co-star and probably would find this whole thread distasteful.
I really can’t see anyone else playing the Joker, unless it’s a cameo. “Look! It’s the Joker! Oh, no, he horribly disfigured Harvey Dent! Look, Commissioner Gordon just shot him dead!”*
This isn’t a case like the guy who played Dumbledore dying ahead of schedule, leaving the filmmakers with no choice but to recast. There’s no reason the Joker has to be featured in the third film. The Batman universe has a wide selection of iconic villains, and whether or not Ledger “owns” the role, audiences are going to inevitably compare any successor to the gifted actor who died tragically young.
*Not that I think that’s a good scenario either.
As others have said in this thread. What a load of crap. Yes it’s horrible that Heath Ledger died so young and his daughter will grow up without her father. But life will have to move on eventually. Batman 3 will no doubt get made and this question will come up.
Also, as far as blockbusters go, the new Batman movies are about the furthest thing from “Hollywood mainstream” as you can get. Between Christopher Nolan as the director and a cast that is made up almost entirely of “serious” actors, I can’t think of any actor that would turn their nose up at a Batman sequel as too commercial.
5’10 vs. 6’1 they both seem reasonably slender with Heath being the larger of the two. I guess it all depends on your definition of muscular. I’m quite a big fan of Joe as well, no question he could handle the roll. Whether he’d take it or not, that’s not up to me…I was just pitching him.
As far as this thread being distasteful is concerned, I don’t think anyone hear has anything bad to say about Heath Ledger and I was a pretty big fan, but it IS legitimate to wonder what will happen to the joker character.
No they’re not. That’s a weird thing to say.
Daniel
When a major studio provides both a personal trainer as well as a schedule, not only permitting time to work out, actually dedicated to working out, there are wonders to be worked.
When Tobey Maguire was cast as Spider-Man he was no where close to being ready to film a shirtless scene.
Even more impressive, the bulk-up Will Smith did to play Muhammad Ali- compare his build in The Legend of Bagger Vance just one year previously .
If a major production wanted Gordon-Levitt for a role that required bulking up, and were he to accept the role, he’d have the body needed for it by the time filming was to start.