i think there is no need to play the joker again..in my opinion and many others this was one of the greatest performances ever..as for talking about michael jordan who as an all round basketball player has still never been matched..goys like this appear once in a lifetime just like heaths performance..arnold and body building..hes still regarded as one of the best body builders..ur comparing with another dody builder decades later..plus the steroids r even better quality nowadays..my point is talent and performance like this only appears every so often..ur in the calibre of greats..for heaths performance to be matched in this generation..in my opinion..no way man! it was electrifying..faultless..perfect..job done..bring on the riddler :)

I believe Heath Ledger can be replaced as the Joker, but whether he is to be locked up at Arkham or in Prison or roaming the streets like the scarecrow was at the beginning of Dark Knight could actually affect how the director WANTED the Joker to act and be portrayed as. Maybe someone who hasn't been in the spotlight since the late 90s will step up to the plate and knock it out of the park...or maybe it will be someone that people would never suspect of playing a role like that, such as Mark Wahlberg or Leonardo DiCaprio (I am not saying they would be, I am just using their current starpower status as an example). It is all about how the particular actor sees his role once the director communicates the POV, and how the actor preps. Ledger did that in a hotel room by himself for a month and was a phenomenon...maybe the next one to don the title of Joker will follow the trend and be insane and fresh and truly outstanding. The sequel's definitely already in the works so we'll have to wait until 2010 and see.

how about benicio del torro?

Where do we begin I wish I would of found this blog earlier. To the writer of the article, kudos to you well written and I like your ideas and let me start out saying I'm pro replacing ledger. When I first heard he was casted as the joker my stomach dropped and I was pissed. Needless to say as the trailers came out I ate my words and my atticipation grew. He deserves and better win an oscar for the performance he did, but thats where the joker ends? Would he want that, most definately!!! I believe his preparing for the joker lead to his sleeping disorders which eventually led to his demise. He went nuts just look at his last interview the man didn't have adhd, and he wasn't coked up, he lost it alil. Whoever replaces him and it can b done just god forbig crispin glover and maybe guy pearce im not too familiar with him, they have to go by the guidlines ledger set, reinvent for themselves? No, nolan's joker is ledger's joker, they should do the best to cast a great actor who looks like him(come on we have makeup) and the voice is not hard to mimic I did it preparing for halloween and I'm from new york doin a mid western accent. Unfortunately the best candidate I feel is dead, the late Brandon Lee from The Crow. The riddler should go to Johnny Deep to keep women's mouths out of it because they'll uproar with the replacing of heath ledger stupidyly, that'll occupy them. Nolan needs to make a decision and fast, enough with the art and yada yada, someone make a great script and nolan do your job and direct. i don't dislike the idea of catwoman in this upcoming film i remember being angry with her not being in batman forever, but then again the hell with schumacher clooney didn't kill batman he did with his neon light spectacle of a film. As well robin should b introdced. Finally, someone tell christain bale to talk to michael keaton(the best batman) and findout how to talk when he's batman cuz i can't stop laughing at these youtube spoofs. If you disagree you have the right to your own opinion but as avid a batman fan as I am, I'm not gonna argue with you because in the end you just won't win me over.

In some way I agree with you. I think that not recasting The Joker out of "respect" for Ledger is ridiculous, of reasons you've stated. But. I do not think they should recast the role.

*To prepare for the role, Ledger lived alone in a hotel room for a month, formulating the character's posture, voice, and personality, and kept a diary, in which he recorded the Joker's thoughts and feelings.

While he initially found it difficult, Ledger eventually generated a voice unlike that of Jack Nicholson's character in Tim Burton's 1989 Batman film.

He was also given Batman: The Killing Joke and Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth, which he "really tried to read and put it down".

Ledger also cited A Clockwork Orange and Sid Vicious as "a very early starting point for Christian [Bale] and I. But we kind of flew far away from that pretty quickly and into another world altogether." "There’s a bit of everything in him. There’s nothing that consistent," Ledger said, adding that "There are a few more surprises to him."

*From Wikipedia

This is what the guy did for his role. I think it's fair to say he recreated the character, and he went to extraordinary lengths to do so. Alone in a hotelroom, writing artificial thoughts and feelings... I imagine he almost became the character, and "knew" him. I'm having a hard time imagining any actor being able to copy that, and therefore I don't think anyone will be able to be a better Joker IN NOLANS UNIVERSE.

That's an important note. I'm not saying the Joker should be buried with Ledger, what I'm saying is that I don't think anyone could outact Ledgers Joker, which has his place in Nolans universe. For the next era of batman, sure, bring him back up. But I don't think it would be right to give another actor a go for this role.

I could, of course, be wrong. But this is what I think. In fact, I think there shouldn't be another movie. I pictured the next movie as the grand arena for Batman and Joker, different from Dark Knight somehow, dunno how, though... But he's the best villain Batman's got, as far as I'm concerned. And I find it improbable that ANOTHER villain SUDDENLY appears. I mean, where do they hide all the time? A third villain would be, in my imagination, ridiculous(I don't count two-face as a real villain). Ras Al Ghul lead an army that had already existed for thousands of years, and Joker, well, he suddenly found a playmate^^ But a third... Nah. Besides, I like open endings. They could easily not make another movie without me getting angry. Everyone else, however...

Well, sorry 'bout the wall of text, folks^^ Hope someone replies:P

I think the Joker can always be played by someone else. This may take a while to be accepted because the Joker Heath persona is so very much associated with Batman's Joker but it's more the Joker that makes this villain than it is Heath Ledger or any actor for that matter. The character was cast long ago and has been embraced by every Batman fan around the world. Heath's performance, as well as all the other actors, was brillinat in this latest film. But this won't be the last memorable Joker. You can take that guy and make him as crazy, ugly, hideous or as clever as you want and someday someone will do just that and it will be another great Batman film. But for now we will relish this masterpiece for a few years.

http://www.JokerHeathCollectibles.com

(Type your comment here. Make sure you've read the commenting rules before doing so) I don't agree with your article, I think Heath's shoes are some pretty big one's to fill. I think out of respect for Heath, they should just retire the role of the Joker.

You have a very good point. When I watched The dark knight I almost instantly afterwards began to wonder who would be a good replacemnt to the joker (if there would be one). My first thought was in fact Johnny Depp, my favourite actor. Not only because of his similar thraiths and the fact that he has already partially replaced Heath Ledger in another, unfinished movie with two other actors, but he is also an excellent actor. If you want to look for the guys I think would be the best to replace him cause of their good acting I would say Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Keaton, Crispin Glover and of course Johnny Depp.

But if focus upon an actor looks very similar to Heath I would say Joseph Gordon Lewitt and Edward Furlong. However, I can't remember any role who would indicate that Joseph would make an acting as good as Heath or not. Edward may look similar to Heath and look good in make up (as you see in in The crow:Wicked prayer) but I fear that he might be to young and unexperienced for the role.

And I think that the joker will probably play a role in future installments to the series. It could be a cameo at Arkham asylum or big role i a movie. Personally, I think he will play a role similar to Hannibal Lecters in Red Dragon or The silence of the lambs.

Like try to imagen this:

Since the Joker appeared several bad guys similar to him have appeared (ex. The penguin). Plus the police is still chasing Baman. In addition to this a new super villain appears and begins to leave his marks on the town(most likely the Riddler). Officer Gordon tries to further explore what the villain may do next and tries to get advice of the Joker. But the Joker replies that he won't give them anything unless they are willing to give him a meeting with the Batman. A thing very hard to fix indeed. At the same time the joker could probably lure himself out of Arkham with the help of Harleyquin (if she would appear I think she should be played by Jennifer Tilly).

Anyway that's just my idea of it. I bet that the third movie will be worthy seeing with or without the joker.

"...People (including his colleagues) view the Joker as Heath’s swan song and they went in to this movie already wanting him to be amazing. He did not disappoint. He took the part to another stratosphere. Even if there is someone who could play the role, none of the current generation of actors would ever step into that purple suit. That’s Heath’s suit..."

I love the way Sophie put it. Ledger really put his heart and soul into the character. He cannot be replaced and that's the simple truth. I've always loved the Joker character, moreso, perhaps, even than The Batman, and what Ledger did to it's presentation was flawless. If it could please even the most fickle of comic book fans, it deserves to be celebrated and again, as Sophie put it, it was his swan song.

The Guy Pearce analogy doesn't work. See, what you fail to stay coherent to is that Ledger was on square one and he built The Joker from there all by himself to fit into Nolan's Gotham. If Guy Pearce had done the same, Ledger would just ruin the role. No one can fit into those shoes. Can't be done!

You've already been corrected on the Jordan analogy but I'll reiterate the other comments, just for good measure... just because Heath died, it doesn't mean acting needs to stop as a whole. It just means that The Joker HE created needs to be his own. I'm sure you wouldn't want someone pissing on your grave that way either.

And... I'm sure it can be done better. But not if it's done the exact same way. If it's done the same way, as the same Joker in the same continuity, it'll be lucky to even be as good as Ledger, if at all even decent. You can't compare body-building to art.

Finally, I'd like to ask you all a question about this topic... Let's say, for one second... Nolan decides to cast some other actor after all. It can go one of two ways... One, he'll suck and ruin the franchise as a whole... Two, he'll be better or as good and poor Ledger's accomplishments and pioneering will become a footnote in the Batman mythos. Is that what we want for a creative, industrious, and all-around decent man? For his crowned performance to be forgotten this way by vultures? I certainly disagree. After watching TDK, I grew to care for Ledger and started look into his life and older movies. He was a good man. No doubt about that whatsoever. And I also have no doubt, whatsoever, that he will not be replaced. Nolan isn't an idiot. 'Nuff said.

Movies are made to tell stories, and if the story calls for a joker then get one. However, I completely disagree with your analogy.

"...just so the character would be retired if he couldn’t play the part anymore??? That’s sheer nonsense in my opinion. That’s the equivalent of saying “The best way to honor the magnificent career of Michael Jordan and to thank him for what he did for the game of basketball is to shut down the NBA after he retired”...."

Retiring an individual character and shutting down an entire sport are not equivalent to one another at all!!!

Your analogy is SHEER NONSENSE, the equivalent would not be to shut down the NBA, it would be to retire the players number out of respect for that particular player. No one is asking to get rid of "acting" all together, they're simply suggesting to retire the character out of respect, not the actual act of acting.

(Type your comment here. Make sure you've read the commenting rules before doing so)

Heath Ledger's shoes will be very hard to fill. There is one man that I think that will fit the bill in a return role in Nolans Batman movies. That man is a little known character voice artist from Toronto by the name of Chris Elchesyn age 26 and is on You Tube..

He goes by the name Huntie on You Tube... His Joker is even Darker than Ledger's but as a return character with the likes of the Penguin or the Riddler he would fit right in as ther leader.

Thanks Max

I agree! I think The Joker should live on as a Memorial to Heath Ledger. Hell,back in 1989 when Jack Nicholson played The Joker everyone thought that there would never be another to rival that of Nicholson's. For 19 years,crazy ass Jack owned that role! Then Heath Ledger came along and well he made Nicholson look like an utter clown. Now,Ledger owns the part and yes he does deserve The Oscar but for Best Actor-in my opinion-and not Supporting Actor because HE is the movie! Now that he's gone,GOD rest his soul,The Nolans are faced with the dilemna of replacing Heath. If they do decide on bringing back The Joker-and I think they will-I could see either Alan Cumming or Adrien Brody pulling it off. Cumming looks like just The Joker from the comic books. He's a great character actor. Has that PeeWee Herman grin! And as for Brody,he really does resemble Heath Ledger's Joker with his long locks of hair and his moody demeanor. And to boot,he won Best Actor for THE PIANIST. So,in closing,I think either of these fine British Actors could pull it off. And it wouldn't be a slap in Heath's face. It would be an honor to whichever actor fills those big clown shoes.

And for the record to the people who believe dent/ two face is still alive here is what it says in the script. Word for word

"Dent lies at the bottom of the hole, his neck broken.

Dead"

That is taken directly from the final draft of the shooting script. He is dead. end of story.

They're going to need to put Joker in the third Batman film whether they like it or not. Batman's greatest enemy cannot just be left hanging (literally) but we all pretty much know that he will be locked up in Arkham Asylum. Heath Ledger did an amazingperformance whcih was seriously oscar-worthy and we'll never forget that but he would not just want to remove the chartacter because he felt it was his. A new actor who is of similar look and build to Ledger could add their own unique twist to the charcacter and show us something whcih we didn't see out of the character in The Dark Knight. I believe that The Joker's role in the thrid film should be fairly minor and locked up in Arkham but we should still be reminded of his menacing presence and he could even be secretly pulling the strings of the other villains from inside the prison.

I personally don't see any reason why the Joker should appear once again in the film, but if they do decide to let him do one more

appearance, they need to find some else to replace Heath. But they have to find someone how can do a better or at least equal job than him, because he really made an effort and it turned out to be a really great job.

Mabel

Outsourcing In Call Center

I think the Joker kind of needs to be featured in the Batman films (if they continue the series after this, which in my opinion, I think is a must!), because he's Batman's most notorious nemesis. When you think of a Batman vs. villain comic book, or whatever, the bad guy that most likely comes to mind would be the Joker, right?

I thought Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker was amazing (and I agree, an Oscar nomination should probably be on the cards - note, I say nomination and not outright win). However, I think it worked so well because you couldn't without difficulty tell that it was him playing in the role - if you hadn't known that it was Heath Ledger, I doubt you would have figured it out.

I have great respect for Heath Ledger and I thought he was a very good actor, but I do think the role should be carried on. In a discussion on another forum, it was suggested that Joseph Gordon-Levitt play the character, as he knew Heath Ledger and he also looks kind of similar; I think he'd work as the character (my only misgivings is he's quite a bit shorter than Heath Ledger, but with the marvels of cinematic technology at film-makers' disposal nowadays, I'm sure that could be overcome).

I think you underestimate how intertwined the public's reaction to the Joker is to Heath Ledger's untimely death. People (including his colleagues) view the Joker as Heath's swan song and they went in to this movie already wanting him to be amazing. He did not disappoint. He took the part to another stratosphere. Even if there is someone who could play the role, none of the current generation of actors would ever step into that purple suit. That's Heath's suit.

While he made his share of clinkers, Ledger's fearless approach to his craft gained him enormous respect in the biz. He was so very loved and respected among his peers. Daniel Day-Lewis wouldn't touch the Joker with a barge pole. None of them would relish a chance to "one-up" Mr. Ledger.

This Joker is not just a role or a character any longer. Even though his presence, under all that make-up, was not visible in the film, Heath WAS the Joker. He made it his own and it will be his for a long time to come.

Perhaps in twenty or thirty years, with a new generation of actors, another director's vision of the Joker might make it to screen. It will take that long for Heath's blazing performance to cool down. So be it.

Let's not forget that after Jack Nicholson's performance as the Joker in the 1989 Batman, many thought that his performance could not be outdone... Then Heath Ledger was cast as the Joker and many people started complaining. Then publicity photos and trailers started to change people's minds... and then all the buzz built up around the film... and then his death... and more buzz on Heath's performance as the Joker... and then people saw the film and more people started talking about it. After all that, the general consensus is that Heath Ledger IS The Joker.

If the ever wanted to bring the Joker back, there is absolutely no reason as to why another actor cannot play the Joker. If an actor is committed to their craft and takes on the role, then they become the character. When actors do that, then we forget the actor and only see the character onscreen in the film. That's what happened to me when I saw The Dark Knight... I did not think of Heath Ledger the entire time because I only saw the Joker, the creepiest onscreen villain I've seen in a while.

So should the Joker be recast? Absolutely. But when? Not for part 3 only because Ledger's death stirred up such publicity and recasting a role like this would not be beneficial to the story. It would probably be best to bring the Joker back in part 4 or 5... and only if it serves the story.

(Type your comment here. Make sure you've read the commenting rules before doing so)For me your right, but I dont think the majority of TDK fans will agree and so recasting Joker could riskpeople being put off when the new film comes out.

I'd love to see someone not copy Ledger but try sonmething different, for me a physical opposite to ledger should be picked and one who I can already see laughing hysterically, Adrian brody.

I think there's a matter of sensitivity involved. And whereas Jack Nicholson was the Joker in the old movies, and they went in a completely new direction for these movies, one wonders - isn't the Joker going to be portrayed like he was in TDK? Make-up? Scars? etc? Then you have an actor imitating what Heath was doing for the sake of continuity.

I think they should only let another actor play the Joker if that actor is allowed to play the role however they want. They shouldn't have to slave to what Ledger did. And I don't think audiences would buy the Joker suddenly being portrayed completely different if he's in the next movie. But maybe down the line in a few years, a couple movies later, after Nolan has left, they can bring him back and then, yes, a new actor would be more than welcome to bring the Joker to life on screen again.

I AGREE HEATH LEDGER DID AN INCREDIBLE AND MEMORABLE JOB AND HE WILL BE NOMINATED AND WIN! THE ONLY ACTOR I SEE THAT COULD FOLLOWUP THE JOKER THE WAY LEDGER DID AND EVEN EVENTUALLY MAKE IT HIS OWN IS...JOHNNY DEPP. DEPP IS A UNIVERSAL ACTOR WHO IN EVERY FILM HE HAS DONE IS DIFFERENT. MY OPINION. RIP HEATH (THE JOKER) LEDGER.

P.S. NICHOLSON YOU STILL ROCK!

HellSpawn : Let me guess...you're blind, you're using some text to speech application to post this comment, and you've accidentally hit the caps lock button. Happens to blindeys sometimes I guess.

WE HAVE TO CONSIDERE THAT HEATH CREATED SO MUCH EXPECTATION WITH HIS PERFORMANCE OF THE JOKER, EVEN BEFORE HIS DEATH, SO MY POINT IS, IF NOLAN TAKE THE JOKER INTO THE NEXT BATMAN FILM, HE WOULD BE EXPOSING THE NEW ACTOR TO COMPARISSON A LOT OF PRESSURE CAUSE HE WILL BE JUDGED SIMPLY (IF HE´S NOT BETTER THAN HEATH IN TE ROLE) TO BE NOT AS GOOD AS THE "FIRST" JOKER, AND REMEMBER THAT PART OF THE GREAT SUCCES OF TDK, IS (ONCE AGAIN) THE EXPECTATION OF SEEING THE GOOD REPRESENTATION OF THE JOKER ( I LIKE TO THINK THAT WAY INSTEAD OF THAT PEOPLE WENT TO SEE IT JUST FOR THE FACT OF HEATH´S DEATH) SO, NOLAN WOULDN'T MAKE THE MISTAKE OF GAMBLING THE SUCCESS OF HIS MOVIE BECAUSE OF A CHANGE OF ACTOR ON HIS "STAR" ARCHENEMY.

NOLAN CAN RECAST HIM, OF COURSE, HE DIDN´T TAKE OUT RACHEL FROM THE STORY JUST BECAUSE MS. CRUISE REJECTED TO DO TDK, ISN´T HE? BUT I THINK HE WILL DECIDE TO LET THE JOKER ASIDE, SO ANOTHER DIRECTOR IN THE FUTURE PLAY WITH THE CHARACTER ON OTHER POSSIBLE VERSIONS OF BATMAN.

REMEMBER THAT THE RUMORS OF THE JOKER ON A THIRD FILM WAS RELATED TO A STORY WHERE TWO FACE WAS THE VILLAIN ON THAT FILM AND I DON´T THINK THIS WAS VERY MUCH TRUE DUE TO WHAT WE SAW AT THE END OF TDK.

EVEN THOUGH, PEARCE SEEMS LIKE A NATURAL SELECTION BECAUSE OF THE LOOK, THE GOOD ACTOR HE IS AND HIS PAST WORKING WITH NOLAN ON MEMENTO.

I wonder if it would be possible to digitally insert health's face on another actor. James Cameron is doing some interesting stuff right now with his film Avatar. I read in an interview about him digitally replacing the actor's face for alternate takes, the same way they replace dialogue in editing. So I wonder if in a few years time if technology would allow something like digitally creating heath's face. And what would the adience's and filmmaker's response to this be if such a technique was used?

@pseudo grammar nazi

I couldn't agree more. I thought, "He put his fish into it? Or his foot?"

RIP Heathy. You've still got them goin' on about you! We loved you here and we love you there. May your legend never die...

I read your article and some of the comments...and I agree with Pineapplehead's point of having a different actor/actress play a character in one movie and then not in another, or just replacing them, IS more of a distraction. And on your statement about Rachel Dawes, that was in fact a distraction for me not only because it was a different actress, but because I hate Maggie Gylenhall...Regardless of who might do it better (the original or a replacement character) it is a distraction to some of us.

I read your article and found myself really enjoying and actually even agreeing with it when I'm done although some people have raised some valid points. In the older Batman movies people were unphased with the changing of Batmans (Kilmer to Clooney) (although I think they probably cared less about those movies altogether). The problem with the Joker is if someone decides to take a whole new approach to them much like Jack did with his and Heath did with his own. If the "next" Joker turns back into the suave one that Jack portrayed I'm not really sure how that would go to audiences. And I dunno there's always the possibility of using effects and just manipulating audio (like they did for the trailers) and putting him in the next movie.

I was one of those "Ledger nailed it, but the Joker's gone for good since Ledger passed" guys. I understand and kind of agree with the article. There could be someone out there (Guy Pearce IS amazing. Memento? Hello?) who could possibly OWN it rather than just 'nail' it.

Thing is, I like continuity. I read the more-recent Linda Hamilton article, about her appearing in a flashback and why Hollywood shouldn't go out of their way to get someone else to play the role. Linda Hamilton IS Sarah Connor, and I guess a lot of people see Heath Ledger AS the Joker.

I didn't care about the Holmes/Gyllenhal thing with Rachel Dawes' character. Dawes was support. Joker was the nemesis. If you think there is someone who is .0005% better than Bale to be Batman, you're entitled to that opinion - but I don't think most people can deny that Bale is doing a great job. I also think most people would be a little pissed if someone else took the keys to the Batmobile next time around. Nolan is obviously taking the Batman franchise very seriously and if I were taking it seriously, I'd do everything I could to keep Bale as Batman, Freeman as Fox, Oldman as Gordon.

I think the Joker arc should end with the movie. The Scarecrow arc didn't end till five minutes into the Dark Knight, but his deal was still in the air when Batman Begins was over. The Joker arc, I believe, is resolved. Let's move on to the next bad guy...

Viva La Evolucion ;)

Don't forget... it was the writing that made the Joker come to life in

Dark Knight. Get the same writer and you're half way there...

The Joker is probably in Arkham Asylum, so all you'd need

is one quick scene where Batman visits the Joker in there for

some reason...shoot it real dark and you may not even notice the

difference...obviously the Joker wouldn't have his make up on in an asylum, so it could be a neat way to get around him looking different....unless you're looking and waiting for it...like every human on

earth would be...

Well,I think it should at least be while befdre anyone tries to "trump"

Heath Ledger's performance as The Joker. Let his name get the glory since he is no longer around to better the role himself!

For if he was around (R.I.P.) and The Joker returned, Heath could better the role I am sure! Heath Ledger was a "GREAT" actor; because I think that opinion should be left up to the person viewing the film. Who is one person to judge whether or not someone is a good or great actor?! I am sure that one day someone could perform the role better, but for now I do not think that it will happen!

Rest in Peace Heath Ledger...The Actor of my Heart!

i can see it now, the teaser trailer for the 4th movie, Bruce and Alfred are talkin. "Alfred, I thought I was done with this man, I figured Arkam would hold him" Alfred then says something very smart and confusing. Then after that we hear either, "I'm back" or laughter. Ya im only 16 so my ideas arent very good, o well tho.

I totally agree. A replacement is always out there. The Joker is too classic of a villain to give up on. He should pop up in, or be the focus of, Batman movies from now until the end of time. Burton's big mistake (along with the Prince soundtrack and others) was killing off the Joker and other villains. If directors/screenwriters can just do it right, they can keep Batman movies rolling for as long a they want. They could become an endless medium, like the Batman comic book franchise. And what Batman fan would not want that? Thanks for the post; it was spot on what I was thinking.

TO: STAR-METER.COM - I was thinking the same thing while reading the article. I also think James Franco could pull it off, but I'd also be intrigued to see Guy Pierce do it too. We'll see...

I think James Franco could be the Joker.

Forget all this hoo ha and blah zay blah. Heath Ledger OWNED that role.. hands down. Big UPS to the producers and screenplay writers. But Ledger did the work. Michael shot the rock.. Phil drew the plays.. u catch my drift? DOn't belive til you see it, and then see it twice. I've seen The Dark Knight 7 times in theatres now and it's completley obvious that Heath played the Joker better than any Joker.. from cartoons to big screen. AND until i see someone outdue Heath's utterly shocking and downright spectacular performance.... well.. then MAYBE i'll have to watch that 2.5 hour movie 7 times at the cinema.

Just throwing it out there. Perhaps the studio could keep Ledger as the joker and do it Weekend at Bernie's style.

I personally thought Ledger's performance was amazing. I also think that the Joker's story was very well concluded in The Dark Knight. I honestly see no need to bring him back. If the story calls for it however, they better get someone who can deliver as good of a performance as Heath.

i think the joker WILL be in the next one mostly because the joker sayd "were meant to do this FOREVER" at the end of TDK

and becuz he doesnt die

wasnt michael keaton supposed to be the joker? bring him in..and forget he played as batman once...or why not johny depp...

Hey John if you want to see a great movie that Ledger did rent Ned Kelly. Its about Australias original badass. Good watch.

Listen peeps. I would love to see Daniel Day Lewis play the role of Joker just as much as anyone else... however remember that Daniel Day Lewis is literally insane. If he were some how magically cast as the Joker he would feel the need to research the role (as he always does). He would want to know what it's actually like to blow up a bus, have his lips cut, rob a bank, or do other insane things that the Joker does. I just don't have enough patience to wait even longer for the next batman movie because he is "researching."

Plus I just don't see him joining a franchise... so why don't all you there will be blood fan boys just lose hope on that one because it's not going to happen.

Any well cast selection can play the Joker or whoever, don't disagree but moving on I'm damn sure Nolan is done with the Joker and is looking forward to a new crop of villains.

If Nolan is smart as what I'm thinking of, he'll do the right thing. I have liitle doubt what he's doing to do.

The way heathe ledger played the joker role was simply amazing the best joker on screen yet....if they had to put joker back in2 the story line then the person who played him would have to be better then heath ledger which I don't think could happen

Lizzy, the analogy to Depp and Jack Sparrow isn't the same. Ledger was merely putting his own interpretation on an existing character which is a pop-culture icon, a character who is a key part of a major franchise. The Joker has been played by many other actors, all have done a good job.

I think the other reason people feel this way is that Ledger died so soon after playing the part. It's just people having a close attachment to the actor in that role, but rationally it shouldn't come into the decision.

Should no Superman TV show or movie ever be made again because Christopher Reeve died? What about all of the talented actors who have played roles in Shakespeare plays and died? We don't say that the role should never be recast, no matter how talented an actor may be.

It seems to me that usually the people saying the role shouldn't be recast are not big fans of Batman either. They don't realize the importance of the character to the whole Batman universe. If the Nolan Bat-franchise continues for a long time (and I hope it does), then you need to have the Joker return.

The comparison John makes to shutting down the NBA when Jordan retires is a good way of looking at it. It's like saying 'I don't think this person should ever be out-done, so lets not give anyone the chance'. Jordan's great performance still exists. Likewise, The Dark Knight will remain a fantastic film, and no-doubt will be a highlight of this Bat-series regardless. But it shouldn't be the end of the Joker.

Any actor can be replaced and that includes Heath Ledger.

I must say that I loved his performance as the Joker and have already watched the movie twice and cant wait to see it again.

I completely agree that Heath pulled off the best acting that I have seen in a long time. He blew me away! He totally took the Joker to a whole new level never before seen on TV. But, I also know that someone else can pull off the role just as well as Heath did. I think that it is completely ridiculous to think that we should never see the Joker again because of the out standing performance of this briliant man. There are a lot of brilliant actors who could pull this off, and with costum and makeup, he could be made up to look very simialer to Heath. One actor comes to mind and that is Jonny Depp. Depp can play any role presented to him, and I believe that he would make Heath very proud and bring a whole knew light to the Joker. We also need to give the writer thier due credit. I know with out thier inspiration, there is no way Heath could have reached his full potentual. The Joker will be seen again!! I have total faith in that!

In my opinion, the same reason why Heath Ledger shouldnt be replaced is the same reason why no one else should ever play Jack Sparrow. Can anyone else play Jack Sparrow as well as Depp? Sure. As original and funny it is, it's probably not the most difficult thing in the world to imitate, or reimagine.

Of course someone else can play the joker as well as Heath Ledger! That's not the point. The point is that Heath Ledger and Jack Nicholson own the joker, in two different versions - the campy and the psychotic Joker versions. What version is there left to see? Do you really want another Joker version and then endless speculation on oscar nominations, whether the new one is better than Heath, the inevitable comparisons, criticisms, complaints, etc?

"If Michael Jordan retired would we shut down the NBA" is analogous to "When Heath Ledger died we shut down all of Hollywood". Ridiculous comparison. This is role that Heath Ledger poured his heart and soul into, and may have been a factor in his death. "If it aint broke, don't fix it". When an actor does so much for a role and practically makes it his own, then it's just flabbergasting if someone else tries to imitate it. Just silly.

In my opinion, the same reason why Heath Ledger shouldnt be replaced is the same reason why no one else should ever play Jack Sparrow. Can anyone else play Jack Sparrow as well as Depp? Sure. As original and funny it is, it's probably not the most difficult thing in the world to imitate, or reimagine.

Of course someone else can play the joker as well as Heath Ledger! That's not the point. The point is that Heath Ledger and Jack Nicholson own the joker, in two different versions - the campy and the psychotic Joker versions. What version is there left to see? Do you really want another Joker version and then endless speculation on oscar nominations, whether the new one is better than Heath, the inevitable comparisons, criticisms, complaints, etc?

"If Michael Jordan retired would we shut down the NBA" is analogous to "When Heath Ledger died we shut down all of Hollywood". Ridiculous comparison. This is role that Heath Ledger poured his heart and soul into, and may have been a factor in his death. "If it aint broke, don't fix it". When an actor does so much for a role and practically makes it his own, then it's just flabbergasting if someone else tries to imitate it. Just silly.

A very good article John.

I really want to see the Joker character return. I would love it if Ledger could reprise the role, but sadly it cannot be. But it is because of the great job he did, that I really want to see the story of the Joker continued. Ledger created a brilliant imagining of the character, and I care about it, I want to see more.

I don't see it as disrespectful. The character was not made for Ledger alone, the Joker is a well known icon who has been around for years. He is an essential part of the Batman character. This current Bat-franchise has many years, and many good films still left in it. And the Joker should be a part of it.

The character doesn't need to be the central focus again. He has had his film, and it will remain a tribute to Ledger and a great starting point for the character. But I would like to think that the Joker can return in other capacities.

What if the third film dealt with the concept briefly touched upon in Dark Knight, of others being inspired to take up the cause because of the inspiration set by Batman. We could see an introduction of Robin as a young imitator whom Wayne takes under his wing. On the other side of the coin, we could have Harley Quinn, and The Riddler, two characters who could be portrayed as being inspired to cause mayhem because of the example of The Joker. With a story like that you could leave the Joker out of sight for virtually the entire film, still locked away in Arkham. But his presence is felt throughout the entire film, by those who mimic his actions.