JOKER Star Joaquin Phoenix Claims Christopher Nolan Offered Him Heath Ledger's Role In THE DARK KNIGHT

JOKER Star Joaquin Phoenix Claims Christopher Nolan Offered Him Heath Ledger's Role In THE DARK KNIGHT

Joker: Folie à Deux star Joaquin Phoenix has claimed that filmmaker Christopher Nolan offered him the role of The Joker in 2008's The Dark Knight, a movie that featured Heath Ledger's iconic performance.

By JoshWilding - Oct 28, 2024 04:10 PM EST
Filed Under: The Dark Knight

Heath Ledger died months before The Dark Knight arrived in theaters. As a result, the actor never got to see the response to his performance as The Joker or receive the "Best Supporting Actor" Oscar, which he was posthumously awarded the following year.

It's impossible to imagine anyone else playing the Clown Prince of Crime in that movie as Ledger has become nothing short of iconic as a result of his incredible performance. 

However, Joker star Joaquin Phoenix - who won an Oscar for his portrayal of the character in the 2019 movie - has now revealed that Christopher Nolan approached him for the role that ultimately went to Ledger. 

Explaining that he "wasn't ready" at the time, Phoenix said, "I talked to Chris Nolan about “The Dark Knight” and that didn’t happen for whatever reason, I wasn’t ready then...I can’t imagine what it would be if we didn’t have Heath Ledger’s performance in that film, right?"

We don't recall it ever being reported that Phoenix was in talks and there's nothing to say Nolan would have chosen him over Ledger, anyway. The funny thing about this is that Joker was supposed to end with Arthur Fleck carving a smile into his face which would have been reminiscent of the one Ledger's version of the villain had. 

However, Nolan - who had a deal with Warner Bros. at the time - reportedly nixed the idea, resulting in Arthur instead drawing a smile on his face with blood. 

With Nolan no longer at the studio, the critically panned Joker: Folie à Deux concluded with a similar scene, albeit one featuring an Arkham City inmate giving themselves a "Glasgow smile" after stabbing Arthur. Was it meant as a dig at Nolan from filmmaker Todd Phillips in retaliation for his previous intervention? That's up for debate. 

In our review of the villain's latest movie, we concluded by saying, "Lady Gaga shines and Joaquin Phoenix brings more of the same to Joker: Folie à Deux, a wholly unnecessary sequel with no new ideas and nothing to say. It doesn’t work as a movie or a musical. What a waste of $200 million."

Joker: Folie À Deux finds Arthur Fleck institutionalized at Arkham awaiting trial for his crimes as Joker. While struggling with his dual identity, Arthur not only stumbles upon true love, but also finds the music that's always been inside him.

The sequel stars Joaquin Phoenix once again in his Oscar-winning dual role as Arthur Fleck/Joker, opposite Oscar-winner Lady Gaga (A Star Is Born). The movie also features Oscar nominees Brendan Gleeson (The Banshees of Inisherin) and Catherine Keener (Get Out), alongside Zazie Beetz, reprising her role from Joker.

Joker: Folie À Deux is now playing in theaters. 

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JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX Finishes Theatrical Run With Just $206 Million Worldwide Ahead Of Max Debut

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MahN166A
MahN166A - 10/28/2024, 4:08 PM
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lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 10/28/2024, 5:07 PM
@MahN166A - People will laugh and scoff at this now, but the vitriol that was sent Nolan's, WB's, and Ledger's way when casted was extreme. Now, Ledger beyond nailed it. However, if people found out Phoenix was cast back then? There probably wouldn't have been such an uproar.

Good thing it all worked out. Ledger nailed his situation and Phoenix nailed his .... well, the 1st time I guess.
TheOtherOn
TheOtherOn - 10/28/2024, 6:44 PM
@MahN166A -

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TheNewYorker
TheNewYorker - 10/28/2024, 6:45 PM
@MahN166A - I wouldn’t believe a single thing Joaquin Phoenix says. Plus, his “joker” failed miserably compared to Todd Phillips. Watching him [Todd] burn hundreds of millions… Brilliant
MahN166A
MahN166A - 10/28/2024, 8:36 PM
@TheNewYorker -

Yeah, you aren’t alone in that!

Would love to see what Nolan says about this claim.
MahN166A
MahN166A - 10/28/2024, 8:44 PM
@lazlodaytona - Maybe there wouldn’t have been an uproar. But history has shown that usually when an actor has a negative reaction to being casted in a Batman film, they usually perform better than anticipated or the film itself is recognized immensely positively by the audience.

Track record…
Keaton
Ledger
Affleck
Pattinson

Credit given where credit is due for Phoenix’s first take. But as stated to me from someone else in a different thread, these actors played different versions of these characters. Who knows what sort of performance we would have gotten if Phoenix had played Ledger after his death.
MahN166A
MahN166A - 10/28/2024, 8:45 PM
@lazlodaytona -

*meant to say if Phoenix took the role instead of Ledger.
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 10/30/2024, 10:57 AM
@MahN166A - Oh, I 100% agree with you. That was basically my point.
S8R8M
S8R8M - 10/28/2024, 4:10 PM
I think Paul Bettany was his original choice from the concept art.
Then he had a meeting with Ledger and the rest is history.
HulkisHoly
HulkisHoly - 10/28/2024, 4:11 PM
@S8R8M -

I actually think Bettany would have given a solid performance. As good as Ledger tho? Hard to say.
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 10/28/2024, 5:09 PM
@S8R8M - I'm with you but I still have no idea how Willem Dafoe was never cast as the Joker in any film. I mean, the dude's facial features already fit the mold....

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S8R8M
S8R8M - 10/28/2024, 5:32 PM
@HulkisHoly - I can see it. The concept art looked great and they were thinking of using no make up. Just let him have scars.
S8R8M
S8R8M - 10/28/2024, 5:34 PM
@lazlodaytona - Yeah he is one creepy dude!
I think Robin Williams was a massive consideration aswell. Which I wanted to see after his performance in Insomia.
HulkisHoly
HulkisHoly - 10/28/2024, 5:55 PM
@lazlodaytona -

Willem would have KILLED it. Ledgers performance actually reminded me of Willem other than I think Willem would have come across even happier with his sadism whereas ledger comes across as bitter at the world. I think willem would have just done it all for the enjoyment alone.
Steel86
Steel86 - 10/28/2024, 5:55 PM
@HulkisHoly - Each actor brings their own interpretations to each character. Paul would've been great no doubt but I highly doubt he would've been as great as Ledger. He crafted that character soo much. The gold he brought that wasn't written. The jail clap, staying in character for the hospital explosion, doing his own makeup etc etc
HulkisHoly
HulkisHoly - 10/28/2024, 5:58 PM
@Steel86 -

Good points.
Feralwookiee
Feralwookiee - 10/28/2024, 8:03 PM
@lazlodaytona - I remember him being rumored to be considered for the role way back in 1989 when Jack was later cast in the Tim Burton Batman.

Ray Liotta was also supposedly a candidate for the Joker back then.
Clintthahamster
Clintthahamster - 10/28/2024, 4:12 PM
Dodged a bullet there.
DocSpock
DocSpock - 10/28/2024, 4:16 PM
@Clintthahamster -

You sicko. LOL!
FinnishDude
FinnishDude - 10/28/2024, 4:12 PM
I wish in Gunn's DC we can get away from live-action Jokers needing some (either physical or mental) condition to give a "realistic" explanation for smiling constantly.
MahN166A
MahN166A - 10/28/2024, 4:15 PM
@FinnishDude -

I was telling my brother the other day (since he is an uber fan of the Nolan verse), that I am getting tired of the psychological aspect of the Joker where he always likes to play with this dark, brooding, "Always 3 three steps ahead of you".

Its been done several times. Ledger is the only one who (live action wise) has hit it on all solid notes and everyone now is trying to replicate his performance.
At this point, I want an over the top, theatrical, prankster of a villain while he commits his murders. Give me a squirting flower, or the laughing gas again. God damn, I'd even take the laughing fish.
MisterBones
MisterBones - 10/28/2024, 4:18 PM
Bullet dodged
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 10/28/2024, 5:10 PM
@MisterBones - How? They both won Oscars playing the same character. Well, mostly the same....
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