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Christian Bale: "I Want to Talk About Heath"
Christian Bale by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images
Christian Bale is notoriously reticent, and doesn't often speak to the press. (In fact, he and his wife, Sibi, have never publicly revealed the name of their 3-year-old daughter.) So it came as a surprise to see that in the upcoming issue of Parade, the actor opened up somewhat about the death of Heath Ledger, who plays the Joker to Bale's Batman in next month's The Dark Knight.
"Listen, I want to talk about Heath," Bale responded when asked if he minded broaching the subject. "He was a unique character, a very infectious character. He was a good man, and I was glad to have spent time with him. It takes a long time to accept that someone's gone, when all body and mind are telling you that this is somebody you will know for a great deal of time."
Bale also said that he hopes that The Dark Knight will be a celebration of Ledger's work, and not part of what he calls the "hideous circus" that occurred after his death. "This movie is not a personal home video," he said. (See Parade.com for more from Bale.)
What do you think? Has Heath Ledger's death fueled interest in The Dark Knight? — Mickey O'Connor
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Jun 25, 2008 2:35 PM
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Well, the trailer I saw was weighted heavily towards Joker scenes, so I think the producers know that Ledger's death will have an impact on people wanting to see the movie.
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Jun 25, 2008 3:31 PM
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I definitely think that people who wouldn't have normally watched this movie, will, just because of the "circus" surrounding his death. It's sad, but it's true. The Dark Night will be one of the biggest movies of the year. But hopefully, the people who go to see it out of curiosity will love it and see what a great actor he was and remember him for that and that he was a loving father and not how he died.
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Jun 25, 2008 3:49 PM
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Heath's unfortunate death may bring in some viewers who wouldn't ordinarly watch this type of movie. But, when all is said and done, his performance will speak for itself.
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Jun 25, 2008 4:11 PM
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I think TDK was guaranteed to be a summer blockbuster even without Heath's tragic death, but there will probably be those who come to see him that wouldn't have had interest in the first place. I have a hard time watching the previews because it just makes me so sad.
Leah, I don't agree that people shouldn't remember him for how he died - we should always remember what his death taught us, which is that good, seemingly-together people can die young, too. Death at a young age isn't reserved for troubled drug addicts, like Brad Renfro (who passed away around the same time as Heath). It can come out of nowhere and take the best of us unexpectedly, and so we shouldn't take anything or anyone for granted.
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Jun 25, 2008 4:16 PM
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Batman Begins was an awesome movie (someone should have clued in the Superman producers and dropped the bad 1970's crap they pulled). So, interest in the movie would be there whether or not Heath was in it, and whether or not he died.
He was a good actor. He had a lot of talent. That said, if he gets nominated for an Academy Award (as people are saying) for playing the Joker, it will once again show what a sham the awards are. No matter how brilliant the writing or performances, these movies never get recognized. To do so (only) because someone died is a little bit condescending.
Then again, the awards are a sham anyway.
It'll be a big deal that this was his last completed movie, but I would hope that people watch the movie for what it is, and not as some twisted funeral service. Recognize the work the man did, not the phony Hollywood shine that everyone put on him, because his performance speaks more to who he was than any of the tabloids ever did. Enjoy the movie, don't make it a shrine.
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Jun 25, 2008 10:48 PM
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Batman Begins was an awesome movie (someone should have clued in the Superman producers and dropped the bad 1970's crap they pulled). So, interest in the movie would be there whether or not Heath was in it, and whether or not he died.
Well, I thought the movie sucked and had said I wouldn't watch the sequel. Then I found out Heath was in it and I decided I would watch it for him, then, he died.
And all awards shows are shams. They're all just popularity contests.
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Jun 25, 2008 10:54 PM
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Leah: "Well, I thought the movie sucked"
I gotta respectfully disagree here, Leah. As a fan (sometimes obsessively so) of Batman, Nolan finally got it RIGHT with Batman Begins. Sure he tweaked a bit of the history with respect to who provided Bruce Wayne's martial arts training, but overall, I was very happy with the end result. Reminded me of The Long Halloween. And the casting? AMAZING. Well, except for the casting of Mrs. Cruise. HER, I could have done without.
I've seen all the movies and Keaton was a very good Batman, but the ones that followed, just made him (Bats) very cheesy/cartoony and didn't do his character justice. IMHO.
That being said, I expect TDK to do very well, but I also think that those that don't watch these kinds of films, but are fans of Heath, will come to watch--if only because this was Heath's last film.
I've seen trailers and interviews (complimentary) on Comcast Demand (channel 1--The Dark Night) and I can't WAIT until July 18th!!!
~Sangeeta
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Jun 26, 2008 11:05 AM
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I've seen all the movies and Keaton was a very good Batman, but the ones that followed, just made him (Bats) very cheesy/cartoony and didn't do his character justice.
I used to think the same thing about Batman and Batman Returns. After seeing Batman Begins, even the Keaton movies seem ridiculously cheesey (although HE exhibits the appropriate mood).
I've had some people tell me BB wasn't done "correctly" because the old television show was cheesy, and therefore Batman should be cheesy. That makes the comic fan in me cringe.
Katie Holmes was definitely the weak link in BB, and while I'm glad she won't return, I hate that they're recasting the role rather than simply writing a new character for Maggie Gyllenhaal. It's been quite a few months since I last rewatched BB, but it seemed to me that it would make sense for the character to not return.
I'm looking forward to Heath's take on the Joker, because I always felt that Jack Nicholson played him as Jack-Nicholson-as-The-Joker, not the Joker from the comics. Most people I know swear that Jack is the definitive Joker, but then again, they've never picked up a comic in their lives.
Sorry for the long post...work is boring and Batman is on the brain. 
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Jun 26, 2008 11:40 AM
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Leah - I'm in the same boat as you. I hated Batman Begins and only planned on seeing The Dark Knight when I heard Heath was cast in it.
I'm sure there are people out there that will only go to it because of Heath's tragic end, I just hope they watch it and realize what a great talent was lost to the world.
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Jun 26, 2008 11:55 AM
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but I also think that those that don't watch these kinds of films, but are fans of Heath, will come to watch--if only because this was Heath's last film.
Not quite true. He was in the middle of filming The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus when he died and that movie will be released next year.
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Jun 26, 2008 11:58 AM
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I used to like the Michael Keaton, but I can't even watch those anymore. I'm not a Jack Nicholson fan... it'd be nice if he played a different character every so often. His Joker was certainly not what the character should be. To date, The Animated Series has gotten it the closest to right, but it's still a cartoon for kids, so it couldn't go all the way with it.
Heath's performance looks promising. I look forward to seeing what he did with the character who is not just goofy, but incredibly creepy as well. I think Heath was far more capable of giving the layered performance necessary for the Joker, so he won't look like that stupid 1960's series.
In a lot of ways, I think people respond to Nicholson's Joker the same way they do to the Reeve's Superman. They hold it up on this shrine as though it can't be touched (to a lesser degree with the Joker) when the truth is, it was not good casting.
I'm just REALLY not a fan of anything having to do with the old Superman movies, and I feel like we're going to be stuck with that as the model forever, or until someone has the guts to come in an completely revamp the character/series.
Singer should never make movies again. Let Nolan do Superman!
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Jun 26, 2008 12:30 PM
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I was going to go see this movie anyways (Christian Bale is enough of a draw for me!), so Heath's death will have nothing to do with my choice to see it. It will feel strangely tragic while I am watching the movie, to be aware of Heath's recent death. I'm sure it will cross my mind a few times, and will probably even interfere with my enjoyment of the movie, but I'm going to do my best to appreciate the performances and not concentrate on the tragedy too much.
And, Batman Begins was AWESOME!
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Jun 26, 2008 1:10 PM
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so Heath's death will have nothing to do with my choice to see it. It will feel strangely tragic while I am watching the movie, to be aware of Heath's recent death.
I felt that when I saw the preview for the movie before indy 4. It made me sad. He's been a favorite of mine since the first time I saw 10 Things I Hate About You.
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Jun 26, 2008 1:40 PM
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Dianora: "I've had some people tell me BB wasn't done "correctly" because the old television show was cheesy, and therefore Batman should be cheesy. That makes the comic fan in me cringe."
Same here. The fact of the matter is, Bats is a dark and gritty hero, and NOT that cheesy, horrid portrayal from the 60s series (Nothing against Adam West). I loved how Nolan showed us HOW Batman was "born" and the naysayers are entitled to their opinions, but I honestly believe it was the most true to Kane's Batman.
And Heath's Joker seems like the take from The Long Halloween or Death in the Family Joker--and I'm happy with that--he's a crazy, psychotic, murderous character.
And totally agree, Informant--Bruce Timm's adaptation of Batman was spot on! I loved it so much (All due to Kevin Conroy's talent), that I've got all four volumes, including The Justice League, Justice League Unlimited, lol.
~Sangeeta
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Jun 26, 2008 3:13 PM
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