[Movies] Ledger Tried To Get Fired From The Dark Knight Posted by Ashish on 07.01.2009
Stunning new info on why Ledger played the Joker in such an extreme way...
According to a new article in Vanity Fair, Heath Ledger was very concerned about being part of a "summer blockbuster" film, thought it would limit his roles in the future, and even tried to get fired from the project.
Here is an excerpt from the article, titled "The Last of Heath."
"Ledger's friend and agent, Steven Alexander, tells [Vanity Fair] that Heath 'was always hesitant to be in a summer blockbuster, with the dolls and action figures and everything else that comes with one of those movies. He was afraid it would define him and limit his choices.' According to friends of Ledger's, one of the reasons he agreed to do Dark Knight was that the unusually long shoot would give him an excuse to turn down other offers."
According to the article, Ledger had a deal that guaranteed him payment no matter what he did, so he actually decided to play the Joker so extreme that he thought it would get him fired.
"Ledger hoped his performance would be so far-out he'd be fired, and thus become the beneficiary of a lengthy, paid vacation.
he lived in a hotel room alone for a month in preparation for it. he studied numerous characters for months to find the right way to play it. AND he worked hard to GET THE PART TO BEGIN WITH.
Posted By: Guest#0303 (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 12:10 AM
Vanity Fair = Bullshit
Heath knew what he was doing and new that with Nolan's direction in the NEW Batman franchise that he would be able to take the Joker character to new paramaters. Proving himself more in his later years as an elite actor with performances in Brokeback, Candy, an I'm not there, he knew exactly what he was doing!
Posted By: Yankeeman (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 12:13 AM
Whatever...that's a bunch of crap. Let's see, he was a Knight in one stupid rock-n-roll juiced up castle crap movie and a gay cowboy in the other.
I don't think he had that much Hollywood stroke that he couldve got a deal that said he'd be paid no matter what. Quit trying to hype him up like some great sensation.
Also, exactly what part of his Joker were so extreme & shocking that he thought he would be fired for? It's still a PG-13 movie, so unless there's some crazy ass deleted scenes out there, he didn't do anything that groundbreaking that wasn't already established in the comics.
Dark Knight was overrated last summer, as the Hangover is this summer.
"I do declare, I do declare. Now I'm done, rack me" - Mike in Indy (I think), Jim Rome Show caller
Posted By: Byzdalmyt (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 12:15 AM
I don't blame the guy. "The Dark Knight" is an overrated piece of garbage.
If you disagree with me I'll track you down with Bat cellphone sonar!
Posted By: Tom Talker (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 12:16 AM
What a crock of shit.
Posted By: Guest#2558 (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 12:22 AM
That sounds like garbage and syncs up with nothing Ledger himself said about the role. Sounds like "his friend and agent" just wants some press.
Disregard.
Posted By: Guest#0657 (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 12:24 AM
Damn dude, Greatest Idea Ever, if they like it, you get paid, if they don't like it, you STILL get paid!! Gotta love it.
RIP.
Posted By: BKeeper (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 12:24 AM
I want to be the first here to write "B.S."
Posted By: Guest#2635 (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 12:27 AM
When you're cast to play the role of a psychotic murderer/thief/terrorist, and your director wants to go dark, I doubt there's much you could do to be "over the top"...
Posted By: Guest#3252 (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 12:30 AM
What the hell he thought he was making when he signed the contract "Fargo 2"?
Posted By: FMX (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 12:35 AM
I knew there was something fucked about his portrayal of the Joker. It's one of the most over-rated performances in the history of cinema (though still quite good).
Posted By: Cactus (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 12:53 AM
"If you disagree with me I'll track you down with Bat cellphone sonar!"
I was going to disagree for the hell of it, but I couldn't get into his acting. Not enough laughing and joking for me. He looked to serious.
Posted By: Guest#3936 (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 01:12 AM
Whatever...that's a bunch of crap. Let's see, he was a Knight in one stupid rock-n-roll juiced up castle crap movie and a gay cowboy in the other.
I don't think he had that much Hollywood stroke that he couldve got a deal that said he'd be paid no matter what. Quit trying to hype him up like some great sensation.
Also, exactly what part of his Joker were so extreme & shocking that he thought he would be fired for? It's still a PG-13 movie, so unless there's some crazy ass deleted scenes out there, he didn't do anything that groundbreaking that wasn't already established in the comics.
Dark Knight was overrated last summer, as the Hangover is this summer.
"I do declare, I do declare. Now I'm done, rack me" - Mike in Indy (I think), Jim Rome Show caller
Posted By: Byzdalmyt (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 12:15 AM
A jim rome listener calling dark knight and hangover overrated. Now thats comedy right there.
Posted By: J Rome (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 01:51 AM
"That sounds like garbage and syncs up with nothing Ledger himself said about the role. Sounds like "his friend and agent" just wants some press.
Disregard.
Posted By: Guest#0657 (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 12:24 AM"
Because he would really be honest to the public and press and tell them he didnt care about the Joker and really wanted to get fired. Dumbass.
Posted By: Soham (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 02:00 AM
Lies.
Posted By: Bimmy (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 02:04 AM
It's awesome how you guys feel that since you loved the movie, you know everything about it. I'm not saying that what his agent/friend is telling the truth, but we have no real reason to call what he's saying BS. Did any of you know Ledger? He obviously had more going on inside than anybody knew since he's no longer with us. Just because you enjoyed his performance doesn't mean he enjoyed doing it as well. We'll never know.
Posted By: Phil (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 02:20 AM
Heath Ledger was hot. Brokeback Mountain was a great film in that it showed that those of us that are gay don't always have to be the steriotypical flamers. I mean, I am a typical flamer, but I have had lovers that you would never know by talking to them that they are gay.
Posted By: Ron Killings (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 02:36 AM
Total and utter B.S,but what can you expect from a magazine that thinks Tom Cruise is great and can act.
Posted By: Melissa (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 02:40 AM
correct me if ime wrong but isnt heath ledger dead so none of this matters
Posted By: tk (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 03:02 AM
*hears all the nerds crying about the truth* MWA HA HA HA HA
Posted By: Rob (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 03:09 AM
@Tom Talker:
YOU are an over-rated piece of garbage! Please GTFO of the Internet before you post anything else that furthers your case of being "Douchebag of the Year"
Posted By: b1zarr0 (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 03:12 AM
to everyone saying this doesn't match anything he said about the movie, why would he be talking about how he didn't want to be in it and he tried to get fired in promotional interviews for the film?
p.s. The Dark Knight is far from overated. u internet goons dont like nothin!
Posted By: leonard (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 03:14 AM
One of the funniest articles I've read in a while. Give me a break...he put everything he had into that role, and Nolan loved him. All he had to do was ask out if he wanted to. Crap journalism, VF.
Posted By: Joke (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 03:32 AM
Yeah, Heath's countless interviews pre and post production only said the exact opposite of this but that was only directly from the source so who know right? And he did "A Knight's Tale," "10 Things I Hate About You," and an artsy pro-homosexual movie... doesn't doing date movie "limit your roles" more than summer blockbusters? Pathetic attempt at attention by his agent. For the love of Tito he won a fucking Oscar, he would have been in such high demand. TOTAL BULLSHIT.
-Alex
Posted By: Alex Mattis (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 03:52 AM
Absoulute SAD bullshit.
Come on.
COME ON.
Posted By: Guest#5447 (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 05:33 AM
Such bullshit. I think would of been impossible not to get engrossed in the character he was playing.. isn't that what most actors wants to achieve?
He played the Joker to perfection... perhaps some of the best and most disturbing acting I've ever witnessed.
Besides the Joker acted so uniquely and was covered in facepaint you FORGET that it is Heath Ledger playing the role. So as for him becoming typecasted I highly doubt it.
Posted By: Andrew Barbarash (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 05:48 AM
Well that explains the hammy overacting. He must be laughing his ass off in the afterlife at the fools who thought he should get an Oscar.
Posted By: Mr. America (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 08:06 AM
Whatever...that's a bunch of crap. Let's see, he was a Knight in one stupid rock-n-roll juiced up castle crap movie and a gay cowboy in the other.
I don't think he had that much Hollywood stroke that he couldve got a deal that said he'd be paid no matter what. Quit trying to hype him up like some great sensation.
Also, exactly what part of his Joker were so extreme & shocking that he thought he would be fired for? It's still a PG-13 movie, so unless there's some crazy ass deleted scenes out there, he didn't do anything that groundbreaking that wasn't already established in the comics.
Dark Knight was overrated last summer, as the Hangover is this summer.
"I do declare, I do declare. Now I'm done, rack me" - Mike in Indy (I think), Jim Rome Show caller
Posted By: Byzdalmyt (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 12:15 AM
Like anyone gives a shit about what you think, you just made those same fuckers money by going to see it anyway so whose the true dumbass?
Posted By: Seduso (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 08:45 AM
If that is true, which i have no idea if it is or isn't, its totally awesome.I have even more respect for the dude.
Posted By: Guest#2466 (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 08:47 AM
Could be true, who knows. In fact, an uncaring attitude could have 'freed' him in a way, helping the performance.
Posted By: C (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 08:47 AM
Ummm,yeah.And him being a total druggie had NOTHING to do with him thinking and acting irrationally,right?Cuz when you drug overdose you're the smartest and clearest thinking guy on the planet.
I hope him and Kurt Cobaine are playing ping pong together somewhere.Losers!!!
Posted By: Guest#6898 (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 09:09 AM
"Heath Ledger was very concerned about being part of a "summer blockbuster" film, [b]thought it would limit his roles in the future[/b]"
He was right about that, LOL.
Posted By: EZMark (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 09:17 AM
Yeah, you guys knew him so well.
Posted By: Foolio (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 09:52 AM
Douche bag Hollywood actor guy may actually be a douche bag Hollywood actor? That's impossible! He was my favorite character in my favorite movie so this has to be all lies!
I would say he was my favorite actor, but I couldn't find another role of his that wasn't complete crap.
Posted By: Slimey (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 10:11 AM
Sooooo that's why he agreed to be in the 3rd film? Makes sense.
Vanity Fair is garbage.
Posted By: RobertMenn (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 10:27 AM
He's only a big star cause he's dead
Posted By: DynaDave (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 10:29 AM
Besides the fact that, yeah, this just seems like bullshit, it doesn't make a lot of sense. I mean, if you think that playing the Joker "far-out" would be a bad thing, you probably don't know a hell of a lot about the Joker.
Posted By: KanyonKreist (Registered) on July 01, 2009 at 10:38 AM
Vanity Fair
loldirtsheets
Posted By: Guest#0205 (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 10:48 AM
More than likely this story is horseshit as there are easier ways to get fired than play the Joker crazy. Which is a terrible plan anyway. Playing the crazy character in a crazy way? Yeah that a firing offence, not!
Posted By: Flyin' Bryan (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 11:03 AM
Vanity Fair makes for good toilet paper.
Posted By: F-Hollywood (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 11:19 AM
I thought the Dark Knight was great, but Ledger's performance was overrated. He protrayed this character from beginning to end. Aaron Eckhart shuld have won. His performance was great and his transition throughout the film was amazing
Posted By: Guest#4985 (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 11:26 AM
HEY another story for little emo ****s to have flame wars over. The Movie was not that good.It did not deserve an Oscar nod and Ledger didn't deserve his.
Posted By: Joy (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 11:28 AM
WOW....I GUESS YOU COULD SAY THAT HIS PLAN BACK-FIRED.
Posted By: JAY BLOCK (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 11:41 AM
To all the idiots posting and acting cool cause they think the movie is dumb or not good or whatever. The movie made 1 billion dollars. Can you read that? 1 BILLION DOLLARS. It was praised by critics and fans alike. As far as Ledger goes the guy was getting hyped up long before he died. Everyone involved with the movie said how amazing his performance was. And when it did come out critics and fans hailed him as the real Joker. And do not just say he was overrated or he sucked, let's get some reasons too.
Posted By: JM (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 12:17 PM
Do the dipshits on here saying that Ledger's portrayal of the Joker is overrated also think Anthony Hopkins portrayal of Hannibal Lecter is overrated too?
Ledger's Joker was perfect--a cold, calculating psychopath that's one of the most memorable movie villians of all time. Too bad the movie did so well so you guys feel compelled to think his performance sucked just to seem cool.
Overrated my ass.
Posted By: Zingy (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 01:38 PM
"Ledger's friend and agent, Steven Alexander
you morons ! I think he would know !
L.A Times and Tribute reports before his death !
Cast and crew on the new Batman film were concerned that he was too wrapped up in his character The Joker, with the role affecting his mood, ability to sleep and relationships. A source said: “Heath refused to talk to anyone out of character. He when he did his attitude was very disruptive ! If you tried to communicate with him normally instead of The Joker, he would just ignore you or get very irate . He would often come to the set to hang out even on his days off, freaking everyone out and upsetting crew. Towards the middle of filming, he was warned by Director Chris Nolan and people close to him that he had gone too far, but it was almost like he couldn’t connect with those who cared for him anymore.
Shooting wrapped November 2007 and Ledger was found dead from a prescription drug overdose on January 22, 2008, during a break from filming
ummm that pretty much clarifies what Steven Alexander ( friend and agent was saying in concerns about his actions and attitude !
But of course liek every poster they think they know everything cause they seen the movie ! Funny huh ! The same created marks are the ones that crapped on him and made fun of him for his broke back mountain role and it became a running gag in the net !
Posted By: clown shoes :) (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 01:50 PM
@Posted By: RobertMenn
Sooooo that's why he agreed to be in the 3rd film? Makes sense.Vanity Fair is garbage.
ARTE YOU DENSE ! CHris NOLAN wasn't even thinking about a 3rd movie ! And still avoids the question today ! Thats why warner brothers has a short list -including Zack Snyder on it to direct if Nolan won't !
You would think with morons like yourself eating and breathing the internet would at least be knowledgeable enough to quote the at the very least the dam F'n TRUTH !
Clown Shoes !
Posted By: Make up ! (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 01:57 PM
To JM, sorry but box-office means nothing now that the Transformers 2 numbers came out. When the public doesn't decipher between great shit like DK or TRANSFORMERS FUCKING 2, its all canceled out and it means shit.
Posted By: C (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 02:40 PM
I'm not saying I know Heath, but here is word for word on what he said about playing the Joker in a 2007 interview after finishing TDK.
"The Joker was the most fun I've ever had, probably ever will have playing a character. It was hard stamina wise, because it's just a high level of energy needed, required everyday. But it was incredibly enjoyable."
Posted By: (guest) (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 03:13 PM
"To all the idiots posting and acting cool cause they think the movie is dumb or not good or whatever. The movie made 1 billion dollars. Can you read that? 1 BILLION DOLLARS. It was praised by critics and fans alike. As far as Ledger goes the guy was getting hyped up long before he died. Everyone involved with the movie said how amazing his performance was. And when it did come out critics and fans hailed him as the real Joker. And do not just say he was overrated or he sucked, let's get some reasons too."
Give me a break. We're allowed our own opinion about the movie. Most ppl only went to see the movie was because of his death. I wonder if those critics would give that same review if Ledgar was still alive now. Probably the only reason they did it was because they didn't want to show disrespect to his family. Look at Michael Jackson's record sells, they soared after his death. Nobody was buying his stuff when he was alive like they are now.
Posted By: Guest#8054 (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 04:08 PM
You know, I could see that actually. I got to be an extra in the funeral scene where he shoots Commissioner Gordon. The people warned us that smoking was not allowed on the set because Nolan HATES cigarette smoke. Whenever they weren't filming Heath was smoking a cigarette and even blow it in Nolan's face on one occasion.
Damn.
Posted By: Axle (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 05:00 PM
Dude, that dude totally got it on with a guy in a movie. GROSS.
Posted By: Jason Smart (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 05:19 PM
Aw, c'mon guys. It's just a news story. Why so serious?
Posted By: Mr. J (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 05:44 PM
Ledger's Joker and the Dark Knight are vastly overrated. He did a decent job, but the movie as a whole is just a mess. It's a fun mess, but not a good one.
Fourth best Batman movie. Of course Bale's hammy acting added to a lot of the problems. But the Joker who acted or looked anything like the character really didn't make the movie any better.
Posted By: Jake G (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 06:05 PM
"Most ppl only went to see the movie was because of his death."
How do you know why *most* people went to see the film?
Posted By: J.D. Dunn (Registered) on July 01, 2009 at 06:06 PM
I'd take this with a grain of salt. It sounds to me like a "friend" trying to stir shit up and cash in on his deceased buddy's name. Like when Dusty Springfield's ex-manager said she hated singing...and then wrote an AWFUL "authorized" biography.
Posted By: Guest#2028 (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 06:21 PM
It was a good movie but what do box office numbers have to do with anything? Transformers has great box office numbers, Scorpion King and the Mummy generally did pretty well, hell, I'm pretty sure Disney's Hannah Montana and High School Musical movies put up great numbers. Numbers just mean people saw your movie, not that it was good or bad. I remember War of the Worlds a few years ago was really popular, but I thought the movie was weak.
Dark Knight I think was the first major HD movie, I remember a ton of hype for that so that could have been a reason. I'm not sure if it was HD or something else, but I do know there was something special about how at least a few of the scenes were filmed.
Also, Hannah Montana and I think Kidz Bop music cds generally outsell everything else, but I don't think anyone would seriously try to tell you that the music on those cds is better than everything else just because it sold well.
Posted By: Guest#8462 (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 07:27 PM
Yeah, sure, I believe that.
*PFFFT*
Posted By: Servus (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 07:31 PM
Then why has his family said that he related to them how proud he was of his role and even in interviews he said countless comments about how positive he was of the role.
Posted By: Ken (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 09:24 PM
"How do you know why *most* people went to see the film?"
Because I've seen plenty of comments with ppl giving their reason why they went to see it. Search youtube and some of those forum sites where ppl are giving their review about the movie and see for yourself.
Posted By: Guest#9206 (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 09:41 PM
Wait... that doesn't sound right... let me ask... Heath, is this article correct?
"No."
There you go.
Posted By: Lucifer (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 10:37 PM
If that was the case then he wouldn't have done Brokeback Mountain.
Posted By: Kyle Forever (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 11:26 PM
