Comments on: Terry Gilliam Says Dark Knight “Shamelessly Capitalising” On Ledger’s Death

By: E.Arneck

E.Arneck — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:39:21 +0000

Actually, one could make a picture about a studio killing it’s star to make more money from his last film.
Just kidding. Nobody would do that.

E. Arneck

By: M.

M. — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:30:08 +0000

WB has had very little to do with the hype surrounding Heath Ledger in this film.

For months after Ledger’s death, webboards were absolutely filled with fanboys making the grandest claims they could:
Ledger was the best actor of his generation, he was of the same caliber as James Dean and Marlon Brando, the Joker would be the best performance of his career, it would be remembered as one of the Screen’s iconic performances, Ledger was guaranteed an Oscar. Comment after comment of sentimental saps trying to outdo each other with pseudo-profundities and garish praise.

Now, Heath might be the least-skilled/talented actor among the DARK KNIGHT cast, but compared to Ledger, Christian Bale was a second-tier star when THE DARK KNIGHT was cast. Ledger was always going to be the star of this film, and the Joker was always going to be the center of it’s promotion.

That’s just so obvious that I can’t believe Terry Gilliam would bother to comment. It just makes him sound like a guy with a bad attitude (and possible ulterior motive.)

So, yeah, I think Warner Brothers should be commended, not criticized. [so far]

By: Jay

Jay — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:15:18 +0000

Terry Gilliam has lost his mojo and cojoles. Such a sad sack.

Regardless of Heath’s death, I’m sure WB was going to aggressivley market this sequal anyway using the Joker.

Stop the Hollywood ‘bitches’ using ‘death’ as an excuse.

By: Bengoshi-San

Bengoshi-San — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:41:22 +0000

I am in complete agreement. I have seen a lot of the trailers and read a lot of information about the upcoming Batman movie. I do not think WB is trying to exploit Mr. Ledgers death. I think more than anything, the fan-base surrounding thie movie would like to have Heath Ledgers life honored with an Oscar for his Joker role. It may not be the best role someone has plaid this year, but Heath worked hard for the part and many still believe that this part did him in.

To dedicate such time and mental, as well as emotional capacity to a role that you play must take its tolls, fatal or non-fatal.

I am one of those individuals who thinks that even if Ledger did not play the best role this year, that he should be honored with an Oscar. His life ended so tragically, and although I admit that is not an automatic qualifier for an Oscar, the role that he plays and how fans and reviewers react will eventually determine that award.

To everyone who will watch the movie this weekend, enjoy the film and relax, Oscar or no Oscar, Heath Ledger has always been a good actor.

By: steve

steve — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 04:22:08 +0000

B.S. it was almost immediately after Ledger’s death that Gilliam decided to let everyone know how he was going to “artistically” handle the absence of Ledger in the film he’s working on. Like that was the most important thing to decide on after the actor died.
Bitter arrogance indeed.

By: Darren J Seeley

Darren J Seeley — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 03:19:30 +0000

I think Terry Gilliam is a director of eccentric invention and outrageous imagination. I do like/love some of his films, 12 Monkeys, Time Bandits, Fisher King. The uncut Brazil is great.

He also seems to put his shoe in his mouth from time to time and comes off as arrogant. This is one of those times.

By: Shane

Shane — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 02:39:07 +0000

I think people see what they want to see. It’s not like the trailers or advertising don’t show anything but the Joker, but they do show a lot of him because he is essentially the biggest part of this film.

You couldn’t take the focus off the Joker. How can you market a film around Batman and Alfred? The exciting exploits of Rachel Dawes? And Two-Face is essentially a huge spoiler if they were advertising him (thus negating 4/5 of the movie building towards his appearance).

And nowhere have I seen WB plastering pictures of Ledger out of make-up, only ever IN CHARACTER as the Joker.

Ledger has put in a fantastic performance as an iconic character, arguably the main character, of a blockbuster film. Of course he has to be part of the advertising. I would say he deserved an Oscar nomination for this role regardless of his passing. I heard people praising his performance long before he had passed away. There was always going to be a lot of hype and promotion for this film.

The cynical people who want to see this all as cashing in on Ledger’s death are pointing to things that would have been there regardless. Hell, we’d probably have seen far more of the Joker in the marketing had it not been for Ledgers death.

By: joonavar

joonavar — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:57:20 +0000

I leave the tv running in the background a lot of the times, whether I watch what is on or not – and here in Sydney, I am a little disappointed at how much of the trailer is dedicated to Heath Ledger. Yes, he put in a fantastic performance, but so do the other actors, so it would be nice if the trailer was a little less rotated and featured less of Ledger…but it’s Australia, so I guess it has to be expected.

By: leeloo

leeloo — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:12:01 +0000

ive yet to see heath ledger in any tdk clips.

By: Dragonslayer

Dragonslayer — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:23:02 +0000

That’s as retarded as Camp Rock. Who would say that? That jerk can go stick it in his smokaholic ear.