COOL STUFF

Del Toro's, Dini's, and Loeb's Reaction to Heath Ledger's Joker

by Alex Billington
December 21, 2007
Source: MTV

With the new Dark Knight trailer released just last Sunday, the entire world is abuzz talking about how awesome it looks. Many people have said that it's one of the most exciting trailers they've ever seen - and now hordes of fans are anxiously awaiting The Dark Knight, almost more so than any other movie next summer. Everyone mentions that they were wrong about Heath Ledger - he is the perfect choice for Christopher Nolan's new Joker. Interestingly, you and your friends aren't the only ones who are amazed that Ledger could pull it off. Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, comic book author Jeph Loeb, and writer Paul Dini love Ledger's portrayal as well.

MTV caught up with del Toro, Loeb, and Dini recently after the trailer had debuted and got the reactions from each of them. It's always interesting to hear what other creative individuals have to say about particular movies, and this time it's no exception. All three of them nail the exact thoughts that I had and that I'm sure everyone else had as well.

Guillermo del Toro, writer and director of Pan's Labyrinth, Hellboy, and Hellboy II, with its own trailer launching just yesterday, kicks it off with his response.

"I love it," Guillermo del Toro gushed to MTV News. "Every time I see more of Heath Ledger's Joker, I like it more. That's a good sign because if something is going the wrong way, the more you see about it, the less you ingratiate yourself with it."

"If any franchise can benefit from being grittier and darker, it's Batman. With this I find him really scary. I find him really, really edgy and scary."

Paul Dini, the producer and writer of "Batman: The Animated Series" also chimed in with his reaction.

"Heath Ledger's Joker seems perfectly suited to the dark Gotham City created by Christopher Nolan," Dini asserted. "He seems more street than any other version of the Joker, with his clownish visage recalling hastily applied graffiti paint rather than chemically dyed skin."

"His attitude is mordant and sardonic as opposed to manic," Dini reflected. "No goofy gags or puns for him. This Joker doesn't split sides ... he splits skulls."

Lastly, they caught up with Jeph Loeb, the legendary author of "Batman: The Long Halloween", the specific graphic novel that Christopher Nolan often mentions as the primary inspiration for The Dark Knight. Considering his work was the inspiration, it's incredible to hear that even Loeb loved what he saw.

"I saw the trailer and loved it," he enthused. "I'm as big a fan of Nolan's and [writer David] Goyer as they are of me! They talked extensively about the influence of my work on both films - so what's there not to like?!"

"I was never a big Nicholson fan," Loeb said of Jack's work as the Joker in Tim Burton's "Batman." "[Ledger] however feels just about right. I eagerly anticipate more!"

If this isn't one hell of a set of encouraging reactions, then I don't know what else is! I have a lot of faith in Christopher Nolan, even more now that we all know Ledger was the right choice. The Dark Knight is definitely the movie I'm looking forward to more than almost anything else next summer. I'm trying to stifle my excitement because I don't want a repeat of Spider-Man 3, but I can't help being incredibly excited! The Dark Knight arrives in theaters next summer on July 18th, 2008.

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