Cinema Blend has heard something interesting from a friend of the site today, who for anonymity's sake we will call Dick Grayson. According to our very own caped crusader there have been recent secret screening of The Dark Knight going on in various locations around the country.
This may be of no surprise a couple of months short of release, however, what is of interest and concern is a scene the scooper talks of, which due to the tragic death of Heath Ledger, may never see the light of day because of reactions in many of the screenings.
The scene involves Ledger’s Joker character pretending to be dead and being pictured in a body bag. Apparently the aftershocks of Ledger’s unfortunate death are such that many in the screening reacted rather badly to this moment and now execs are considering excising the scene altogether.
This I think is a serious misstep if Warner really go through with it. The Dark Knight is Ledger’s final complete role and to butcher it for the sake of a few overly sensitive people in a screening seems like reactionary bullshit.
What makes the thought of cutting his scenes even less palatable is that the general word from the screenings is that not only is The Dark Knight superior to it’s predecessor but, as promised, Ledger’s interpretation of the Joker is every bit as mind-blowing as we’ve been promised. Reports say he is the complete anti-thesis of Nicholson’s 1988 mean-spirited clown and every bit the show-stopping unhinged psychopath the Joker should be. It appears as though the true tragedy will be that this may have been the big breakout role that put Ledger on the map and made him a superstar.
Do the right thing Warners. Leave Heath’s biggest and best role alone. Those getting upset by this scene aren’t people who deserve to appreciate what Nolan and Ledger have done.
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I agree with you. Leave the scene in the movie. Like you said it is Heath's last film and should be celebrated the way he acted it. Leave it alone-it is pure genius!!!!!
We, as the fans and revenue source for those uptight Hollywood moguls, must DRAW THE LINE HERE. If we can make enough noise, perhaps some degree of integrity can be salvaged. Everyone who is emotionally invested in this picture and its outcome would certainly agree that Nolan and his team should not be edited, censored or in any other way impeded in this venture. We cannot sit back quitely with the consolation that the scenes will be reinstated for the DVD release. I want the best picture the creators can produce when I pay to see it on opening night. I'm sure I am not alone in this desire. LET'S MAKE SOME NOISE!!!
I agree you cant cut out this scene for the sake over a few over sensitive pussys!
Heath read the script and made the art and as his last performance nothing should be cut.
Respect the man as an actor he did the scene and his full role in the movie should be shown as a tribute to his life and work. Nothing should be left out or forgotten.
If it's an issue to people then i suggest those people excercise their free right not to see the movie!
Couldn't agree more, Cutting his work just because someone's delicate nature may be damaged is popycock.... I am sure ledger would want the scene in the film... they should keep it just to show the caliber of his work and the dedication he had to his craft.
Mr. Wood,
I completely agree. It's a movie! These are fictional characters. It is deeply upsetting that Heath Ledger died so young, and I don't want to marginalize that. However, if people can't stomach a scene that parallels real life, they probably shouldn't be watching movies; they should seek professional help.
I totally agree. This incredible movie will show Ledger's true potential. Chris Nolan has a talent for picking the perfect actors for perfect roles. To deprive an audience of seeing just a few clips's of this visionary director's final product would be greatly unfair.
Amen, Stuart. You are so right. It is horrible that Ledger died. However, it would be awful to cut one of his last scenes due to some people being overly sensitive. Let us stand up and demand that Warner Brothers give us EVERY available second of Heath Ledger's Joker. I will miss Ledger and the best Joker portrayal that we could have hoped for.
please, Warners, PLEASE don't butcher this movie! i want to see Nolan's vision and Heath's performance the way it was meant to be seen. damn i can't wait to see this movie, and if it's as good as all the early screenings hint it will be, i will be on Cloud 9. i hope Nolan fights to keep the scene in.
People are allowed to die in movies, even if they die in real life. In the movie "The Crow" Brandon Lee was seen dying not once, but twice in the film.
Granted,the sensitivity experienced by some for this particular scene is well understood,but damn,grow some balls,why don't you!!!! I agree with all above,this was Heath's most daring and challenging,most legendary roll,let's not go deleting scenes because of a few wussies.True,we all miss Heath,and his unexpected death was beyond heartbreaking,but unless this scene would be understandably hurtful for Heath's family,and the fans for that matter,then I don't see any other reason to take this scene out of the movie.I'm sure Heath would've wanted it this way,he was a real man.
> 1. Joe Potochar Says:
> April 10th, 2008 at 13:06
> Leave it alone-it is pure genius!!!!!
Not sure if it's pure genius because I haven't seen it; rest assured I'm probably going to watch it 15 times (like the first Nolan Batman)...and love it. I'm in agreement with everyone here, and as things go, the reactionary B.S. Stuart talks about in this article is most likely par and not much more than an afterthought of one of the beancounters. As in, "let's get people to buy the first DVD of the theatrical release, THEN we'll spring the 'Director's Cut' on them! Give me a raise." Feh.
> 1. Spagett Says:
> April 10th, 2008 at 13:07
>Chris Nolan has a talent for picking the perfect actors for perfect roles. To >deprive an audience of seeing just a few clips's of this visionary director's >final product would be greatly unfair.
Let's hope it isn't the director's final product! I'm sure he's still got a few movies left in 'im.
I agree wholeheartedly. The fact that Mr. Ledger's interpretation of the Joker has gotten me more excited than ANY supervillain in ANY movie so far in my life says something. The Batman is my favorite hero, and the Joker is his arch enemy-he's completely psychopathic, deranged, and homicidal. This Joker is the one that Batman fans love, because he's the character that helps define who and what Batman is and does. The fact that Heath Ledger played this role to the point where it seems as though this is the first true representation of the REAL Joker is a testament to his acting abilities, and removing any part of his work would destroy the massive achievement that he accomplished, and the magnificent piece of work that he's bringing to people around the world.
I agree with everyone on here, Ledger looks like he pulled off the best performance of the year and to cut that down would be an insult to his memory. I am a huge batman fan anyway and i just want to see the movie as it is. Cutting this scene out would not only take away from Ledger's performance, but it would also take away something from the movie itself! Leave it Be!
Completly agree. I don't think Heath would want them to take scenes out of his breakthrough role, just because he had an accidental death. He would want this movie to be the best it could be, and that is what Nolan did. DONT FUCK IT UP!
Um... I doubt they would be that misguided. As Heath Ledger's last COMPLETE performance (not counting the partial work done in the Imaginarium) they would be dishonoring his memory by hampering that performance. The trouble would be if they were exploiting his death, but the performance was conceived and delivered before he died, so it's clearly not a case of exploitation but merely a case of respecting the original artistic intent of the performance, despite any unintended irony.
I think calling the supposed move by the studio reactionary is the pot calling the kettle black a little bit, since getting people riled up about something that hasn't even and probably will never be done seems a bit needlessly alarmist. On what basis does the scooper claim to know what the studio is thinking? because he attended a screening? Provide a better foundation for the rumor if you really want to get people riled up.
Depends how much it'll fuck up the story-but think about it -films released with cuts,then DVD/B-Ray hits retail,then (drum roll)18 months down the line directors cut hits(with no cuts,and when Ledgers memory is fading)the cash is a cuming to the good ol' warner boys?!Me thinks so ..............................
Isn't the character 'The Joker' supposed to scare us in the first place?So why cut a scene that emphasises that scariness?By cutting that scene they would take away more credibility,wich Ledger accuired threw his tragic death.
Meh I haven't seen the movie or the scenes in question so I don't have an opinion. As anybody even mildly familiar with film knows there are several scenes that get cut from most early test screenings for any number of reasons.
I can't speak for how the scene(s) in question play out in context to the rest of the movie and what importance if any they have to the films overall plot so I will with hold judgment. I do hope the final decision about what is done with this scene is made by the directors and writers though and not a studio exec or producer.
Brazilian people are too happy people. They don´t use to watch dark films, that´s why they´ve reacted like that. So, leave that damned scene in, for god´s sake!!!!
Please, just let the man's work speak for itself- judged solely on it's unedited, unbiased, unforgiving performance-tailored merits, which would do nothing but honor his memory by showing the people his own incarnation of the clown prince in what is sure to be Heath's crowning and everlasting mark left on a world that he left much too soon. Show some respect to this actor. Let Heath have his final curtain call, shown in its entirety.
Let the movie be as it was intended. Perhaps a little shock to the audience will be good, the Joker is not a hero but a monster. We should shutter at his depiction, not make him palatable to everyone (watering down a perhaps Oscar worthy performance?). Leave the movie be or you are doing a disservice to Nolan, Bale, Ledger and everyone involved in its making.
Oh my God....I don't know what else to wright-because you all have already said it all.So please, Chris Nolan, think about this.Don't spoil the movie for the fans because of a few people with weak nerves.And think about Heath...how dissapointed he'd be if he'd known that someone wants to change the performance he was so prod of??? Another thing, why do all the studios keep spoiling movies(in this era of 'teenagers=money) with the rating PG13???Didn't this cut a lot of Die Hard4??? I personally would prefer rating R for TDK.And actually who cares??? Won't the the kids go to cinema anyway???So plese stop doing this please...that's my opinion
Please leave the scenes in. the joker is possibly one of the hardest roles to play. and if the romours are true about his performance. Let us enjoy the talents of a flame too soon extingushed. As haunting, and creepy as it might be: it so suits the character. The Joker.
Ledger was a brilliant actor, and when I saw the previews for this film - with HIM - I knew I had to see it. I still haven't seen Batman Begins, despite that I wanted to, but after the preview of this film, I know I simply have to see this. THere's no way out.
I think that Warner should definately keep Ledger's scenes, no matter how "upsetting" they could be to those who think it distasteful. If you can't get in and through your mind that Ledger was a brilliant actor, and that this scene being in the movie is something he probably WANTED [otherwise, do you really think he'd have filmed it AT ALL?], then perhaps You truly dont' deserve to sit in a theater, or a room of any size, where this movie is being shown. Simple as that.
It's not easy, hell, it's BEYOND difficult, to capture the essence of the Joker as well as Ledger has done, and I'm judging this pretty much just from the previews I've seen across the internet & the television. Ledger knew what he was doing when he was filming this role, and I bet you, ANYTHING, if Ledger hadn't liked something, he would have said "Hey!" and at least talked to someone about changing the scene, or making it a "deleted scene" on the dvd, or some BS.
If you have a problem with the scene, hey, then DON'T SEE THE DAMN MOVIE!
It's not hard! Plus, it'd save you about, oh, 7 bucks [depedning on what time you see the flick]. Look at it as a positive for ya, ya sissies.
Please leave the scenes in. the joker is possibly one of the hardest roles to play. and if the romours are true about his performance. Let us enjoy the talents of a flame too soon extingushed. As haunting, and creepy as it might be: it so suits the character. The Joker.
LEAVE IT ALONE. Ledger picked that roll for a reason and to cut out something that he put his time and energy into would be a bash to everything he did. I loved all of heaths stuff as so many did. Do not shuve all he did under the rug let's enjoy him through he work.
LEAVE IT ALONE. Ledger picked that roll for a reason. If all I have heard is true he brought the Joker to a new level. He put all his time and energy into that roll not only for himself but for us his fans and I don't think it shoul get shuved under a rug. Were strong we can take it and we can remember him in a roll never to be forgotten.
The real question should be. What would Heath Ledger want? He definitely would want the studio to keep the scene in. Send a message and say "F U" to political correctness. Keep the scene. The fans deserve to see it.
I think that they should cut it. Just think how traumatic it will be for his fans to see him ostensibly dead, then alive again. It could especially confusing and damaging to children. I'm sure that the actor would understand and want to protect children from this kind of hurtful confusion. Batman movies are supposed to be fun and neato, not scary and mean to people's feelings.
Please do not butcher the scene. It is not good to be overly sensitive just because Heath died and pictured in a body bag being matched with Joker pretending as dead and placed into a body bag.
Chuck,
what the hell is wrong with you? Batman, neato? somewhere, you must have lost your balls, man. if it is damaging for children then it's because of bad parenting. no one but Nolan alone has the right to cut the scene it's his vision.
1. Any chance someone can start a petition to WB for not touching scenes that otherwise would have been included if not for Heath's death?
2. It's funny how these studio execs are squeamish about a slight reminder of a real-life death within a fictional setting yet have no prob making 9-11 & anti-war movies 10 times as graphic to further their political motives. Chris Nolan's Batman franchise is supposed to be dark and moving, and as long as Nolan isn't *capitalizing* off of Heath's death (which he isn't), WB should let these original DK scenes stand.
3. Chuck, you don't know what you're talking about. These new Batman films are aimed at adults. They're intended to be deep and engaging, not "neato". If you haven't figured that out, you're not paying attention.
Are we even sure this scene actually exists? From what I've heard the only people that have screened the movie are Chris Nolan, his crew, and WB studio heads. Seems to me someone just started a rumor to tie in to Heath's unfortunate death. Now when we watch the movie we'll be forced to wonder if we're missing out on a scene with the Joker in a body bag.
Totally agree, they've put in a lot of effort (Nolan & Hedger) to make this Joker spot on, don't dampen that effort due to the people that simply can't accept the art for what it is.
Cutting the scene would be ridiculous and a great disservice to Ledger's memory, and those who knew how much he loved art. I'm sure the Nolans' are fighting the studio tooth and nail.
Warner needs to be a bit more pickey who they screen to...
DO NOT CUT ANYTHING FROM THE MOVIE. REMEMBER WHAT THEY DID TO SPIDERMAN PART ONE WHEN THEY CUT OUT THE WHOLE TWIN TOWERS SCENE. LETS REMEMBER HEATH LEDGER IN HIS LAST ROLE WITHOUT ANY FAGGOTS BITCHING ABOUT A SCENE. I DONT THINK HEATH HIMSELF WOULD WANT ANYTHING CUT FROM THE MOVIE..
I agree that tampering with Heath's final and greatest role is bs just because there are a few morons who are, and the phrase is SO appropriate, OVERLY SENSITIVE!!. Go BACK to your little holes in the ground where you'll be safe from the big bad world!!
I agree with everyone! AS a huge fan, I've been looking forward to this movie since the first one came out. Over sensitive people should be warned, and exercise their right to not see the movie. I hope they are the minority.
But...(playing devil's advocate here)....
Is there anyone that thinks the roles should be CUT from the movie?
i say. Put the scenes with heath LEDGER in the bloody movie!
he did this role, wanting it to go on film. he didnt want it to be deleted, chuked in the trash, stashed away in some stupid cabnet.
It should to shown to the world, its his final film, this film is apart of heath. Let the world see it, dont keep it to yourselves. So what if you get a couple of angry viewers because you left him in the film, what about the rest of the world who will be upset with yourselves because you took him out of the film. So what side are you going to take.?
If u take him out of the movie, i seriously think you will get more bad reviews, more ANGRY people, People who are upset with the fact that you took him out of the movie.
LEAVE the movie the way it is, DONE WITH HEATH!. finish the movie. USEING HEATHS FINAL ROLES!......
Please regard my earlier entry as a satire. For the life of me, I couldn't think of what kind of spineless twit would want them to cut the scene (besides a movie executive). Lest one of them read it and point to my entry as dissent, let's make it unanimous-- leave it alone.
I am still in denial that this wonderous Human being with alot of talent is gone forever. I was shocked when I heard of his passing. He was just getting started to what could have been a legendary life , what he left was already legendary and unforgettable. To cut anthing out of this movie would not do him any kind of justice, If you listened to him he gave every ounce of himself in this role and should be able to display that to the world he unfortunatley left behind. Batman is going to be dark at times, these people need to get over it and let people decide for themselves whether they like a scene or not. Its the same with books why the hell would you ban a book? People should be free to make up there own minds about things not have people do it for us like " Big Brother " from 1984.
They need to leave the scene in the movie! A true Ledger fan would want to see every bit of his performance in this movie. I'm sure it's how he would have wanted it.
The scene should be left in! Ledger would not want his finest roll butchered for the feelings of a few saps who can't handle a truly good movie. He's dead for christ sake! Its best not to think that the actor is actually dead. I would want him remembered!
I agree wholeheartedly, this should be nipped in the bud. The man is dead he should be remembered for playing this role which (if we can believe what we read) is his outbreak role, not as some ass munching batty boy as he was made out to be in Brokeback Mountain, fucking puffters ruining the film industry.
If they cut it then they have made a truly awful decision. In my view actor's are artists and chopping scenes from Dark Knight would be like cutting out the Mona Lisa's eyes. I'm sure even Heath himself would rather that his final work was left intact so that us fans can truly remember how talented he infact was.
I believe that they should leave the scene in. If people cannot distinguish the difference between fiction and reality, than they are f'ing morons and should not be watching the movie in the first place. Second of all, if anyone has seen the first movie, they would clearly understand that it is not really a family flick, therefore, you should not be taking your kids to see this movie in the first place. If you are afraid that your kids will be scarred for life, then maybe you should reevaluate your parenting skills and hire a babysitter instead.
I completely agree with the article.. except for that last line.
Wtfreak! Just beacause some people get emotional at seeing this, does NOT mean that they don't deserve to see his work.
What? - If I all of a sudden break down at seeing my favorite actor put in a bag, ironically mirroring real life events, all of a sudden that means I dont deserve to see it?
Thats the only thing I have a problme with. The rest of it I agree with.
Simply because, even though I will be one of those "overly sensitive" people, I strongly believe that the movie should be left untouched and honored, instead.
it's be a big and sad mistake if it happens otherwise.
As I'm sure you all know by now, the scene in question was NOT cut from the final production and is in fact one of the more memorable scenes in the movie because of the Joker's ever present dark sarcasm. I hope you all have and will enjoy this movie. =D
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Cinema Blend has heard something interesting from a friend of the site today, who for anonymity's sake we will call Dick Grayson. According to our very own caped crusader there have been recent secret screening of The Dark Knight going on in various locations around the country.
This may be of no surprise a couple of months short of release, however, what is of interest and concern is a scene the scooper talks of, which due to the tragic death of Heath Ledger, may never see the light of day because of reactions in many of the screenings.
April 10th, 2008 at 13:06
I agree with you. Leave the scene in the movie. Like you said it is Heath's last film and should be celebrated the way he acted it. Leave it alone-it is pure genius!!!!!