Christopher Nolan Shut Down a Heath Ledger Reference In the First 'Joker' Movie

By Andrew Sanford | Film | October 9, 2024 |

By Andrew Sanford | Film | October 9, 2024 |

Jimmy Olsen first officially appeared in The Adventures Of Superman radio show. Harley Quinn first cartwheeled her way into our hearts on Batman The Animated Series. Sam Raimi threw Peter Parker’s web shooters to the side and shot web from his wrists. Some of the best comic book adaptations have brought new elements to the characters they’re adapting. They bring new, (mostly) original ideas or give new, exciting takes on old ones. It isn’t just about a beat-by-beat adaptation, it’s about filtering these characters through a new creative lens.

There are few greater examples of this than Heath Ledger’s take on The Joker in 2008’s The Dark Knight. Ledger took the Clown Prince of Crime and took away anything fancy or shiny. This was not a man who made clues based on Looney Tunes animators and could kill you with a pie. This Joker wasn’t permanently stained white; he made himself that day, presumably every day. Yes, there are some similarities design-wise to artist Lee Bermejo’s take on the character, but the take is wildly different.

Ledger’s Joker was wildly successful and contributed to the film’s success as well. He put such an indelible stamp on the character the next time he was done in live-action, it was… do the kids still say “extra?” It was extra. The comics have also barely used this version of the Joker, despite character designs often migrating from screen to page (though, this could be due in part to Heath Ledger’s tragic death). It’s something that has been mostly left alone, and Christopher Nolan wanted to keep it that way.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the first Joker film was intended to end with Joaquin Phoenix’s character carving a permanent smile on his face in front of his adoring fans. Christopher Nolan said, “Absolutely f***ing not, and if you ever decide to release movies on HBO Max instead of theaters, I’m out. Also, don’t change the name of HBO Max!” Okay, that quote isn’t real. There were no quotes on this subject in the article, but I’m going to assume I’m correct.

There are a plethora of reasons for Nolan to not want Ledger’s Joker referenced in the film. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Nolan thought that only Ledger’s Joker should have a carved smile. I kind of understand that. However, it’s likely just the tip of the iceberg. Nolan spent his whole trilogy attempting to bring new ideas that added to the Batman mythos. He wears his influences on his sleeve but isn’t just doing direct recreations. Most of the first Joker film felt like a hodge podge of things we’ve seen done better before.

I did not see Joker: Folie A Deux. However, apparently, Phillips got his carved smile in the end, albeit a bit differently. Congratulations, Todd.