It’s always interesting to see what kind of preparations are done for movies. And also, how the actor feels about representing the character that they portray. There has been many extreme cases of actors trying to make weight for a movie. Also, engaging in strange rituals to get into character. In this article I will be discussing one of the most iconic roles ever played, The Dark Knight’s Joker.
Heath Ledger has since passed away and my condolences go to his family and friends; this article is not to shame, but, to bring light to his work ethic.
Heath Ledger said that playing the Joker was the most fun he’s ever had. He claims that immediately upon getting the role, he knew exactly how he wanted to play him. Improvising in more than a couple scenes, Heath was ready to take his talent to the next level and push himself to become the best played villain of all time. I don’t usually watch Marvel movies, and have little knowledge on the whole universe, although, The Dark Knight was for sure one of the best movies I’ve ever seen.
The reason for picking Heath Ledger’s Joker for this article was the unusual preparation and antics Heath did. He locked himself in a hotel room for a month in London, while experimenting with voices. He also would carry around a journal in which he would have some dark writings and strange photos in, called the “Joker Journal”. This book was very unsettling, and some members on set were a bit disturbed by it. In the journal, it’s said that Heath wrote he was inspired by the character Alex DeLarge in Clockwork Orange.
The character that Heath had to portray was a psychopath, and that’s exactly what he became throughout filming. He stayed in character, some on set were annoyed by this and also creeped out. He didn’t want to break his character and lose who he was. During downtime, he could be seen skateboarding around set in full makeup and costume. After filming he said that even though it was enjoyable, it was physically and mentally draining. Heath wanted Batman (Christian Bale) to literally beat him in one of the scenes. He wanted to make it as realistic as possible. He did not want Christian to hold back, even though Christian was adamant on not harming him.
Heath Ledger truly gave his all to this role, and I applaud him for it. It was chilling to watch, even from the cast while filming. Michael Caine, a fellow cast member, said that Heath’s Joker was so horrific that the first time they did a scene together, he forgot his words by being too terrified. Even though he’s passed, he’s still remembered as one of the best actors to ever live.
