Movie News
Rumor: Joker Scenes to be Cut from The Dark Knight?
Posted by Cole Abaius (cole.abaius@filmschoolrejects.com) on April 10, 2008
There’s a rumor floating around Cinema Blend that a scene in The Dark Knight featuring The Joker playing possum in a body bag might be cut due to negative reactions from audiences in test screenings.
It’s just a rumor, so take it with a shovel full of salt.
Still, I have to disagree with Stuart Wood from Cinema Blend (and just about every other commenter on the post) that the scene shouldn’t be deleted. There’s no real artistic merit in leaving in a scene just because it has Heath Ledger in it. It’s an unfortunate connection, but if the scene really breaks the fourth wall and takes us out of the story, it might be good for it to go.
On the other hand, if the scene is crucial to the story, I’m sure they’ll keep it.
Besides, it won’t be the last time we see Heath on screen, since he’ll show up in Terry Gilliam’s The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus - after the genius deal was made to have Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell take over Heath’s character inside the film’s alternate universes.
I trust Christopher Nolan, and he seems to have great control over his projects, so I’m sure that if the scene is cut, it’s for good reason. In this case, quality over quantity is a solid rule of thumb.
Read more articles by Cole Abaius
6 Comments
April 10th, 2008 at 11:56 pm
thumb is def. up my ass
April 11th, 2008 at 12:09 am
I can’t believe Heath Ledger is so beloved that seeing him pretend to be dead would ruin the film. Since when was Heath Ledger the most beloved actor of our generation? Clearly you may see me as insensitive, but I didn’t know Heath. I’ve seen his movies. His death sucks, sure. But am I so distraught I can’t bear to think about it? No. Should we go back and edit movies so that people who are dead IRL no longer die in films? No. Changing this scene for any reason other than it doesnt work, or it doesnt make sense, is ridiculous. Clearly, its in the script. Clearly, they shot it. Clearly, its in the edit. Leave it in there.
Leave the film the way it is. I’m getting pretty tired of this whole thing. People need to realize celebrities are just people and not their friends. As Kevin Carr would say WTF!!! And in my own words, I’m very near to my boiling point.
April 11th, 2008 at 7:34 am
Agreed. Leave the movie alone. There’s no way Ledger would want that cut if the whole issue is over his death. Plus, while it may be “too soon” this moment this will be his last big blockbuster so it will last for years and years. “Too soon” now will be missed later.
April 11th, 2008 at 10:55 am
It’s been a long time since I have seen it, but I believe Brandon Lee is shown as a stiff in THE CROW.
April 12th, 2008 at 3:50 am
Christ Nolan shouldn’t stick up to his film,. Anyway, we thought this is Heath’s best role, can’t wait to watch it.
April 12th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
I’ve been seeing this story all over the internet & it’s stupid. I think that out of respect for the actor they should leave it in, especially if it’s a part of the story. God Bless Heath, RIP.
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