[SciFiWire] Ledger To Play Batman's Joker?

[Cassie Hughes]

Latino Review is reporting a rumor that Brokeback Mountain star Heath Ledger is being offered the coveted role of the Joker in the upcoming Batman Begins sequel film.

Read the Full Article (http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=7&id=37193)

[goldenboy]

What do you guys think? I can't see this guy playing manic and over-the-top crazy...if they're gonna go the traditional route. Hmm.

[Black Eye Guy]

I'm not sure why but I could see him as the joker, although I remember hearing that he was taking a break from acting to spend time with his kids, is that over?

[teentitan]

BAD CHOICE!!! I don't think he has the ability to do the Joker character. Female fans will be disapointed that his face will be covered in make-up. But the most logical reason is simple...he is too young. The Joker is and always should be older then Batman. Ledger and Bail are the same age, roughly, so it will not work.
An actor who should be considered is, and don't laugh, Billy Bob Thornton. He doesn't even have to try to do crazy but he can play crazy. Bad Santa, Bad News Bears, Ice Harvest and oh yeah that Oscar for his character in Swing Blade.

[goldenboy]

Billy Bob would be interesting. I know a lot of fanboys were hoping for Crispin Glover. He plays a good fruitcake, heh. Whoever it is needs to do an unhinged cackle really well...

[teentitan]

Ok Crispin Glover is a fruitcake not he plays a good fruitcake. That boy's marble bag has a hole in it, if you know what I mean?
One other thing I was hoping that the next Bat's movie would not involve Joker. Sorta getting old. I was hoping for Clayface or Croc. With todays CGI these are characters that could be done.

[goldenboy]

I thought Crispin was actually a fairly good (restrained) baddie in that Charlie's Angels flick, but anyways...he's definitely an all around loon, heh.

http://imdb.com/gallery/ss/0305357/Ss/0305357/CAFT-362.jpg?path=pgallery&path_key=Glover,%20Crispin

It would be fun to get those more fanciful villains going...Maybe Nolan will throw in some more obscure ones along with Joker.

[prydain]

I think Heath Ledger is an awesome actor, I really like his stuff, but I don't see him as Joker...like someone mentioned he doesn't seem like he would be good at playing over the top villains...I picture him villain-wise as being one of the more quiet and sinister villains. Not in Batman, in general.

[teentitan]

My wife just said who would be the perfect person to play the Joker and it makes total sense because he has played a kooky crazy character before...Michael Keaton!
Full circle scenerio and you gotta give him respect because he was great in Beetlejuice.

[Bored of the Dead]

I cannot believe that someone even suggested this 'actor' for the role of The Joker.
Yes, I said 'actor' like those guys that piss you off who use air quotes, simply because I think Ledger isn't any good as one.
Actors are supposed to be able to show range, emote and make characters believable. Hmmm, in which role did he show any of these....none.
Arrrrghhh, its like Keanu Reeves, why are they famous?
Someone great once said, 'The difference between an Actor and a Movie Star is one act's and gets bums on seats, the other has a pretty face to get bums on seats.'
Heath definitely doesn't fall into the first catagory, and if ANYONE suggest 'Bareback Mounting' as any sort of proof of acting ability, i will personally find you, shoot you in the leg, make you watch movies that are ACTUALLY good, instill in you what an actor does, make you watch Ledger and Gyllenhaal hump again(so to see the error of your ways), have a pee(cause the other stuff will take time and unlike Jack Bauer, i can't save it for a whole day), then have you paraded through the streets of Jamaica shouting 'He is a Gay Chicken Lover and wants to eat your babies', while dancing a merry jig with your picture stapled to the soles of my shoes, in essence dancing on you while the soundtrack to the Wizard of Oz is playing in the background.....do you understand!!!!

Now, as for Crispin Glover, actually I like that choice.
He has the look, the mannerisms and other characteristics that suit the Joker.
Plus he has one of the greatest lines from one of the greatest films of all time....
Last night, Darth Vader came down from planet Vulcan and told me that if I didn't take Lorraine out that he'd melt my brain.


But, I'm in agreement with Mrs Teen, Michael Keaton is possibly the least obvious, but most perfect choice. Infact its almost as perfect as Jack Nicholson(who again was just awesome).
Again, anyone who doesn't think he can do it, just watch Beetlejuice.
(By the way Teen Man, I've never had feed back from the Missus on the fic)